ï»¿North J<span id="more-19783"></span>ersey Casino Expansion Ad Campaign Comes Down, Amid Growing Sense It Ain’t Gonna Happen

Backers of a North Jersey casino expansion ad campaign, one which supported a referendum vote to take gaming in to the part that is north of Garden State, have thrown in the towel.

Investor and real estate mogul Jeff Gural (right) with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (left) says that general public mistrust of politicians is just a major good reason why nj’s casino expansion proposal is doomed to failure. Gural had been a backer of the expansion push.

OUR Turn NJ, that was backed by billionaire investor Paul Fireman and estate that is real Jeff Gural, pulled its media advertising campaign, apparently unwilling to plow more income into just what looks like a lost cause. Fireman and Gural had hoped to build one casino apiece, in the north of this continuing state near the border with New York.

The OUR Turn NJ (OTNJ) group said that polling revealed little appetite among voters for the proposal to split Atlantic City’s longstanding monopoly on casino video gaming and produce two new licenses in the north. Voters are set to select the issue on A november 8 ballot, but otnj now seems resigned to the proven fact that residents will likely vote overwhelmingly against expansion.

Blindsided by Media Blitz

the Turn NJ said on Thursday said that a poll that is internal just 37 percent of the latest Jersey residents supported amending the constitution to pave the way in which for the new casinos. Meanwhile, a poll that is external this week by Rutgers-Eagleton place the quantity also lower, at just 35 percent, while noting that 57 percent had been against the concept.

The pro-expansion group admitted that it been blindsided by the media blitz launched by the opposition campaign, ‘Trenton’s Bad Bet,’ which focused very nearly completely on the recognized untrustworthiness of their state’s politicians, rather than the casinos by themselves.

‘Trenton political bosses are as much as their old games,’ proclaims one TV spot, which goes on to claim that politicians will use the new casino revenue however they want, ‘just they bailed out Donald Trump’s failing casinos dolphin treasure slot. like they did whenever’

Mistrust of Trenton

The campaign has been markedly effective in making use of general public distrust of lawmakers. Polling by OTNJ found that just ten per cent of voters believed politicians would deliver on making use of the revenue for the purposes promised. Voters were also worried about the not enough details, such as precisely where the casinos would be built, or the rate that is exact of they would likely pay.

‘We think deeply that gaming expansion to Northern New Jersey is a remarkable opportunity that should not be squandered,’ Gural and Fireman said in a statement that is official.

‘ We now have committed $4 billion in private investment to the state to create world-class resort destinations with video gaming. The benefits include 43,000 new jobs and vast sums of dollars in recaptured revenue, a rare possibility for nj.

‘The data, however, speaks for itself,’ the investors noted. ‘The current political climate in New Jersey and voters’ issues about the dearth of details relating to the effort have proved overwhelming.’

United States Gaming Association Recommends Repealing Sports Betting Ban

American Gaming Association boss Geoff Freeman, left, wants sports wagering legalized, but that could hamper DraftKings CEO Jason Robins’ daily dream recreations market. (Image: Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The American Gaming Association (AGA) is recommending to Congress that it repeal the nearly quarter-century old ban that is federal sports gambling.

The expert and recreational Sports Protection Act (PASPA) passed in 1992 prevented states from providing gambling lines on sports. Nevada, Oregon, Delaware, and Montana were granted exemptions that are special as all four of these states were offering some variation of sports lotteries in 1992.

Now 24 years later, the AGA believes it is time to annul PASPA.

A year ago, the AGA formed its Illegal Gambling Advisory Board (IGAB) led by former FBI Deputy Director Tim Murphy. This week, the board issued five conclusions as to why PASPA should be revoked.

Murphy’s IGAB consists of former police officials now trying to expose the massive illegal gambling black market in the United States.

‘ The approach that is current sports gambling within the United States is no longer working,’ Murphy stated this week in a statement. ‘It’s fueling criminal enterprises. The full time has come to repeal the present recreations ban that is betting replace it with rigorous laws that benefit states, protect consumers and continue maintaining the integrity of the games.’

PASPA Strikeout

In its ‘Law Enforcement Summit on prohibited Sports Betting,’ the IGAB opines that PASPA did precisely the opposite of what it meant to accomplish.

‘Instead of curbing betting that is illegal the law has driven recreations betting underground, creating a thriving, $150-$500 billion black market with no consumer protection,’ the IGAB reports.

The IGAB thinks illegal sports gambling fuels unlawful syndicates, and that an available, transparent, and regulated sports industry that is betting deliver a blow to those rogue gambling rings.

Though the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL, along with the NCAA, recently won a federal appeals court decision against New Jersey to block the state from offering sports gambling, the leagues are slowly easing their hardline stances.

A franchise is being brought by the NHL to Las Vegas for the 2017-18 period, and NFL owner Mark Davis is trying to bring his Oakland Raiders to Sin City. Leagues have traditionally opposed Las Vegas because of its legalized sports betting.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is also up to speed. ‘We have no concept what’s happening and there is no transparency,’ Silver said in May. ‘it is thought by me should be legal; I think it must be regulated; it should be transparent.’

Canada Fighting Too

Sports betting in Canada is still unlawful, but that was almost changed recently, almost.

Unfortunately for people looking to place wagers legitimately on displaying events in Canada, a bill to authorize single-game betting was refused within the House of Commons this week.

The ‘Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act’ legislation failed 155 votes against to 133 in help.

Much like the AGA, the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) is campaigning for a governed recreations industry that is betting.

‘I regret that I don’t have better news for Canadians,’ CGA President Bill Rutsey stated in a declaration. ‘ Those who comprehend what’s at an increased risk, and the advantages that could occur by implementing legislation, are frustrated and dissatisfied by the vote.’

The CGA estimates over $10.5 billion is wagered illegally on sports by Canadians every year.

Maryland Lottery Controversy Over-Inflated $262 Million Tech Contract

Maryland Lottery Director Gordon Medenica had been a senior executive for a business venture that had been partially owned by Scientific Games. (Image: Kaitlin Newman)

The Maryland Lottery intentionally inflated the price of a $262 million technology contract, wasting an incredible number of dollars that would otherwise have been spent on public education and health programs, according to the losing bidder, London-based IGT.

In a letter of complaint seen by the Associated Press, IGT complains that lottery officials overstated the value associated with contract, an eight-year deal to provide central monitoring and a control system for ticket product sales, by including kinds of internet gambling that are not legal within the state.

The contract was ultimately awarded to incumbent provider Scientific Games, the highest bidder by $50 million.

Flawed Evaluation

IGT says lottery officials later told them they bloated the contract to include online gambling to be able ‘to avoid future review and approvals by the [Board of Public Works,’ in case that online gambling is legalized. The Board of Public Functions, is needed to accept all contracts over $200,000 by state law.

But this amounted to ‘materially problematic evaluation,’ stated IGT, particularly for the continuing state facing an $800 million spending plan shortfall.

Curiously, Maryland has not been making any noises about regulating online gambling in the future that is near. Senator Edward Kasemeyer (D-Baltimore and Howard counties), the Senate’s main budget journalist, told the Baltimore Sun recently that the legislature is ‘strongly opposed’ to legalizing online gaming.

Concerns over Lottery Directors’ Links to Scientific

IGT noted that while the provider that is incumbent Scientific Games should have been in a position to produce a lower offer because it already has staff and infrastructure in place.

And now, conservative news blog RedState.com is questioning whether Lottery Director Gordon Medenica’s past professional association with Scientific has such a thing regarding the problem.

It quotes an anonymous ‘industry insider’ who stated: ‘ The multiple bid protests and legislative scrutiny will really be uncomfortable for Gordon Medenica. Medenica ended up being an executive that is senior a nj-new jersey business that was partially owned by Scientific Games. Provided this direct and well-known relationship, it is curious from the whole bidding process. which he didn’t recuse himself’

But Scientific Games’ senior vice president of Global Lottery Systems, Patrick McHugh, said his business won the bidding process square and fair because it outperformed its competitors in testing. He additionally noted that in 2016 the lottery produced record admission sales of $1.9 billion creating $570 million to be utilized for good reasons.

‘ Our high score reflects Scientific Games’ investment in new services and services designed to continue the lottery’s sales and profitability momentum for the beneficiaries of this state of Maryland,’ he said in a statement.

Wisconsin Gambling Addict Gets Probation for Delivering Hundreds of Pounds of Marijuana

Gambling can be risky business, but a Wisconsin gambling addict discovered that having to pay for your wagers by delivering cannabis is a bet that undoubtedly doesn’t pay off. Because of Judge James Peterson, pictured above he’ll be getting a chance that is second. (Image: Scripps Media/rightwisconsin.com)

Wisconsin gambling addict Kongsaden Khammanivong is being given a second possibility by a Madison judge.

In July of 2015, Khammanivong ended up being indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiring to circulate more than 50 kilograms (100 pounds) of marijuana between January 2014 and his arrest in July of 2015.

Khammanivong admitted he turned to delivering medications to fuel their gambling addiction. During their September sentencing that is 20th Khammanivong sobbed to the judge as he explained how gambling took over his life.

Khammanivong revealed he’s attended Gamblers Anonymous and has now prevented gambling enterprises since his arrest 445 days prior.

In total, Khammanivong faced up to 25 years in prison. But this week District Judge James Peterson in the Western District of Wisconsin went easy on Khammanivong in hopes that the gambling addict can turn their life around.

Instead of sending the 49-year-old behind bars, Peterson sentenced Khammanivong to 11 days in prison. A free man with credit for time served stemming from 2015, Khammanivong left the courtroom.

‘He hasn’t relapsed. He’s doubled down on helping his family members. He gets how serious this is,’ Khammanivong’s lawyer Marcus Berghahn told the Wausau Daily Herald.

Khammanivong’s casino addiction reportedly are priced at him his wedding, though it is uncertain where or how money that is much lost gambling. The court was told by him he was compensated several hundred dollars for every single marijuana transport.

Pretty Peterson Please

The Western District of Wisconsin estimated Khammanivong delivered as much as 176 pounds of cannabis during the 17-month period.

According to Narcotic News, a lb of cannabis is presently selling for upwards of $4,000 in Wisconsin. That means Khammanivong helped transport over $700,000 worth of marijuana.

Of course, marijuana is not heroin. Peterson apparently believed Khammanivong’s claims that he didn’t play an integral role in the medication ring, but merely served as a transporter.

Regardless, Peterson’s sentencing is undoubtedly light taking into consideration the amount of cannabis Khammanivong was moving.

Simply month that is last a previous steel company CEO in Alabama was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison for using insurance funds to cover off gambling debts incurred at Wynn Las Vegas.

Also in August, a bizarre story broke about two similar yet split incidents involving female gambling addicts. Both women had stolen precisely $1.7 million from their respective employers in Connecticut and Minnesota, and both lost all the money gambling.

Diane Eiler of Minnesota had been sentenced to 42 months in jail and three years of supervised probation. Patricia Meehan of Connecticut, who was first charged in 2010 and served 46 months behind bars, violated her parole in 2016 and was handed an extra two months in prison and two years of supervised home release.

Like Brother, Like Brother

The feds still have a case against Khammanivong, however Kongsaden Khammanivong but their younger bro Khongkha Khammanivong.

Khongkha, 43, is facing more charges that are serious. A total of nine counts for distributing methamphetamine, cannabis, and cocaine have actually been levied on the younger Khammanivong, and he’s additionally being accused of assisting money laundering.

He’s facing a total of 60 years in jail and $5.5 million in fines.

Kongsaden Khammanivong is just another instance of a Vietnamese or Thailand living that is migrant the United States who is promoting a gambling addiction. The rampant problem has recently gained much unwarranted attention as Little Saigon communities have a problem with illegal gambling homes.