The much-hyped fight secured competitive oversight this week from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), a state agency that sanctions combative sports including professional boxing. Obtaining a boxing regulator means the fight will be scored by independent, non-biased judges and both Paul and Tyson will be subjected to a series of drug testing, as well as psychical and mental screenings before entering the ring.

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul signed on to fight each other with the desire to do so in a sanctioned professional fight that would have a definitive outcome,” Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said in a statement. “Over the past six weeks, MVP has worked with its partners to satisfy the requirements of the TDLR to sanction Paul vs. Tyson, and we are grateful that we have gotten to this point.”

The oversight is critical for bettors hoping to wager with a regulated U.S. sportsbook. State gaming regulators typically bar oddsmakers from offering wagers on exhibition fights not sanctioned by an experienced regulatory organization. ??

Paul vs. Tyson airs exclusively on Netflix.

Terms Set?

There are plenty of skeptics of the Paul vs. Tyson showdown, with many calling it an easy money grab for the 27-year-old YouTube star turned professional boxer and 57-year-old boxing legend. Tyson hasn’t boxed in a professionally sanctioned fight since 2005. He will be 58 years old when he enters the ring against Paul in July.

Tyson’s professional boxing record is 50-6, with 44 knockouts. Paul’s boxing record is 9-1, with six knockouts, though most of his fights have been exhibition in nature.

The TDLR has numerous rules that boxers must abide by, including not hitting an opponent below the belt, refraining from deliberately targeting the kidney area, not using abusive or profane language, and obeying the referee at all times.

Kicking, purposely falling without being hit, and hitting an opponent while they’re down or getting up are also prohibited.

Public Backs Tyson?

Offshore sportsbooks, which are unregulated and illegal but face little recourse by federal authorities, have been taking bets on the July fight since it was announced last month. Paul opened as a big favorite at around -500, but heavy action on Tyson has greatly shrunk the line to nearly a coin toss.

The line continues to move as the betting public shows incredibly strong support for Tyson. Tyson has gone from a decided underdog when betting opened on March 7th to the slightest of underdogs at +105,” an offshore oddsmaker told Casino.org.

Oddsmakers say it will be nearly impossible for books to balance the action because “Tyson just has too much support” against the social media star whose rise to fame also came by way of a stint on the Disney Channel series “Bizaardvark.”

The post Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Betting Likely After Fight Secures Regulatory Oversight appeared first on Casino.org.

Betfred announced Monday that it would pay out on all bets for Manchester City to win the league. That��s despite the defending champions leading both Arsenal and Liverpool by just two points with a total of 18 still up for grabs.

The promised payout, which exceeds ��750K (US$932K), was announced after a potential watershed moment last weekend. The level is so high in the EPL these days �C and the table so finely poised — that failure to win every single game is a calamity for any title chaser.

Fine Margins

First, Liverpool, which has led the table for much of the season, stunned fans by losing at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Next up, Arsenal had the chance to pull a point clear of City and three ahead of Liverpool just hours later by beating fourth-place Aston Villa, again at home.

Arsenal tired noticeably in the second half and conceded twice late in the game for an unexpected loss.

Betfred��s implication is that Arsenal and Liverpool, amid a grueling ��run in�� to the end of the season, have simply run out of steam, while City has just moved into fifth gear.

With six titles in the last 10 years, the reigning champion has a habit of hitting peak form just when it matters. City comfortably beat Luton Town 5-1 on Saturday.

“I watched both the Liverpool and Arsenal games yesterday and, for me, it��s game over because Manchester City are going to win the Premier League title this year. There��s no danger to that,�� said Betfred��s 81-year-old founder Fred Done in a statement.

Marketing Stunt

Done pioneered the betting industry marketing stunt of ��paying out early�� on major sporting events. And while it might have landed Betfred some valuable PR over the years in the form of free column inches, it hasn��t always worked out.

This time around, there is not one, but two teams, chasing the league leader, and they’re separated by just two points — and City has some tough games ahead. Irrespective of Betfred��s marketing ploy, neutrals will hope Liverpool and Arsenal chase the Citizens to the wire to keep this exciting season alive.

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Rodimer, 45, who wrestled under the name Dan Rodman, is accused of attacking Christopher Tapp, 47, at a party at Resorts World Las Vegas in October.

Tapp was found suffering from serious head injuries in the vicinity of Resorts World on October 19 and died a week later. The coroner ruled the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. Rodimer surrendered to police on March 6 after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

��I Watched You Nearly Murder Somebody��

On Tuesday, Rodimer��s defense lawyers, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, asked for evidence from their client��s phone to be suppressed. They argued the evidence, which included text messages and a recorded phone call, should be considered private ��marital communication.��

I watched you nearly murder somebody, and I had to take your [expletive] hands off from his neck as he laid there and you ran away and I spent the next two hours trying to take care of him,�� Rodimer��s wife, Sarah Duffy, texted her husband after the attack, according to court documents. ��Nobody should have to watch their husband murder somebody.��

Rodimer and Duffy were attending a Halloween party at Resorts World dressed as Ken and Barbie. The ex-wrestler allegedly became enraged with Tapp when he found him taking cocaine with his stepdaughter.

A witness told police they heard Rodimer tell Tapp, ��If you ever talk to my daughter again, I��ll [expletive] kill you,�� which was followed by loud banging sounds, although the witness didn’t see the alleged attack.

Rodimer is 6��7�� and weighed 300 pounds during his wrestling career, according to his WWE stats. He was active as a professional wrestler from 2004 to 2007.

He ran for Nevada��s 3rd congressional district?in 2020, losing out to the incumbent Democratic Rep. Susie Lee.

Tapp��s Wrongful Murder Conviction

In 2019, Tapp was released from prison after serving 21 years of a life sentence for a rape and murder that he didn��t commit. He was exonerated of killing an 18-year-old Idaho woman after the true perpetrator was caught using new developments in DNA technology.

In 2022, Tapp received a $11.7 million settlement from the city of Idaho Falls for his wrongful incarceration.

A preliminary hearing in Rodimer��s case is scheduled for May 21. Chesnoff told The Las Vegas Review-Journal after Wednesday��s hearing he was ��looking forward to vigorously defending this case.��

The post Ex-Wrestler Daniel Rodimer in Court on Murder Charge, Wants Phone Evidence Dismissed appeared first on Casino.org.

The Iditarod is one of the few opportunities for legal gambling in Alaska. The state allows charitable sweepstakes on certain culturally traditional games, while banning all else but charitable bingo. It also grudgingly accepts one tribal electronic bingo hall.

Also known by the tagline ��The Last Great Race on Earth,�� the Iditarod is a 1,000-mile dogsled endurance run from Anchorage in the south of the state to Nome in the freezing northwest. It involves teams of between 12 and 16 dogs pulling their sleds through subzero temperatures, blizzards, and gale-force winds.

Moose Attack

On Wednesday, this year��s event was won by five-time champion (now six) Dallas Seavey. He survived a moose attack to complete the course in nine days, two hours, 16 minutes, and eight seconds, winning the $55K first prize.

But Seavey��s achievements were overshadowed by the death of three huskies from three separate teams during the race and five more in training. These were the first canine fatalities in five years, although animal welfare groups claim more than 100 dogs have died over the 51-year history of the event.

These are not super dogs. They��re not indestructible pieces of sporting equipment,�� Melanie Johnson, a PETA senior manager, told the Associated Press this week. ��They are just like any other dog, and all they want is to live and enjoy love and companionship. But the Iditarod continues to push them beyond their capabilities, and as a result, dogs continue to suffer and die.��

The race was established in 1973 by local dog musher Joe Reddington, who wanted to revive the tradition of dogsledding that was dying out in Alaska because of the prevalence of snowmobiles. There is archeological evidence that Alaska Natives have used dogsleds to traverse the frozen landscape for hundreds of years.

Iditarod Trifecta

Alaska��s gambling laws permit nonprofit organizations to offer sweepstakes on dog mushing under certain conditions. For example, there must be two or more elements of chance involved when betting on mushing contests.

In 2020, this inspired the Iditarod��s organizers to launch the Iditarod Trifecta, where race enthusiasts could bet $10 on the winning musher, their time, and how many dogs they would finish with. However, the Iditarod Trifecta appears to have been discontinued.

Canned Salmon Classic

Other traditional sports and games that are legal to bet on under Alaska law include fishing competitions, such as? The Fish Derby, as well as more peculiar contests like the Creamer’s Field Goose Classic and? the Canned Salmon Classic.?

The Goose Classic was ��a game of chance where the participants have the opportunity to win a cash prize for guessing the closest time of arrival of the first goose to Creamer’s Field.��?Meanwhile, the Canned Salmon Classic involved guessing the total number of cases of canned salmon that would be packed at the Petersburg salmon canneries during a certain period of time.

Sadly, neither of these events are still contested.

The post Iditarod Husky Deaths Renew Calls for Ban on Alaska’s Iconic Iditarod Race appeared first on Casino.org.

Paul, 27, started boxing in 2020 and has amassed a 9-1 record with six knockouts. Most of those fights, however, have been exhibitions not sanctioned by a regulator like the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Tyson needs little introduction. During his prime, the 57-year-old was the undisputed world heavyweight champion and won his first 19 professional fights by knockout. Tyson’s career record is 50-6-2, with 44 wins by knockout.

It��s JAKE PAUL vs. MIKE TYSON �� yes, really! �� in a LIVE BOXING event at AT&T Stadium you won��t want to miss. Airing live on Netflix Saturday, July 20 #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/ULXVeCYeH6

— Netflix (@netflix) March 7, 2024

Fight Needs Regulator

The Paul vs. Tyson spectacle is being promoted by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). Because the Netflix announcement didn’t confirm if it will be a professionally sanctioned fight, US oddsmakers are expected to be barred from allowing bets on the contest.

Nevada’s betting catalog allows sportsbooks to offer odds on boxing matches only when the fight is governed by the Nevada Athletic Commission. In Texas, the state’s boxing regulator is the Department of Licensing and Regulation. The agency sanctions and regulates combat sports, including boxing, in the Lone Star State.

For a fight to be licensed and sanctioned in Texas, MVP would need to hire licensed ring officials, share in ticket revenue with the state, and provide on-site emergency services. Paul and Tyson would additionally need to submit to drug and steroid testing, plus laboratory testing to ensure no sexually transmitted disease. The fighters would also be subjected to a vision test and a brain scan.

Unless MVP adheres to those terms, regulated sportsbooks in the US won’t be allowed to take action on the Paul-Tyson showdown.

Offshore Event

While legal sportsbooks in the US must adhere to state and federal regulations, offshore operators do not.

As Casino.org reported today, when a legal book is barred from accepting a type of bet, that often moves the bettor in search of that bet to an unregulated, offshore sportsbook. Many offshore sportsbooks that aren’t legally allowed to take bets from US bettors have already opened odds on the Paul-Tyson fight.

Paul is the heavy favorite at -500, and Tyson is the underdog at +325. A winning $100 bet on those odds would respectively net $20 and $325.

Though DraftKings isn’t taking money on the July fight, the leading sportsbook said in a blog post that its lead trader Johnny Avello would put the odds at Paul -360 and Tyson +300.

“He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a kid can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT,” said Tyson. “I started him off on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him.”

The post Betting on Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Netflix Fight to Be Determined appeared first on Casino.org.

At the event, fans got to see Dwayne ��The Rock” Johnson, 51, announce his surprise return to SmackDown by slapping fellow wrestler Cody Rhodes.

Rock n’ Role

The Rock announced that Rhodes had disrespected both his and wrestler Roman Reigns�� families. This is what��s known in wrestling as a ��heel turn�� — meaning that The Rock has opted to become pro wrestling��s equivalent of a Batman villain.

The beauty of The Rock��s return to WWE is that he needn��t give up acting to do it.

The goal with me coming back to WWE, there were a few components to it,�� The Rock told E! News. ��Number one and most importantly, what can we create for fans that is going to be interesting, and then, can we possibly create the biggest WrestleMania event of all time?��

The press conference served to announce WrestleMania 40, or for you Romans out there, XL. The Rock is expected, though not yet confirmed, to make his return to the ring at the WWE event, scheduled for April 6-7 in Philadelphia.

According to Casino.org��s own Vital Vegas blogger Scott Roeben: ��The reality is, The Rock doesn��t need to wrestle anymore. But he is not going to waste all that time in the gym on Fast and Furious retreads.��

We love Vital Vegas.?

Vegas Rematch?

Also accomplished at the presser was the launch of an unconfirmed but now wildly spreading social media rumor that WrestleMania will return to Las Vegas in 2025. It would be there for the first time since 1993��s WrestleMania 9 (IX).

��Announcement anticipated soon,�� Roeben tweeted, to which responses varied from ��Hot damn! A sporting event I��d actually travel to Vegas for!�� to ��Have they written the script yet and are the writers members of WGA?��

According to Forbes, as of last year, Wrestlemania 41 was Minneapolis-bound. However, that was back when WWE founder Vince McMahon was still overseeing content development for the entertainment company.

McMahon resigned in January following sexual assault allegations.

The post WWE Presser Stokes Rumor of First Vegas WrestleMania in 30 Years appeared first on Casino.org.

Mayweather, 46, was among the highest-paid athletes during his active years and has habitually used social media to flaunt his extravagant expenditures. They include the $6.4M he��s spent on luxury watches, the $10M he shelled out for ex-fiance�� Shantel Jackson��s engagement ring, and the $600K he spent to fly 300 friends and family members to his 2013 fight against Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas.

Even He? Couldn’t Get Comped?

Are tickets to the first Las Vegas Super Bowl really so hard to come by that even sports celebrities like Mayweather can��t find comps?

No. Mayweather for sure could have landed free seats for himself and a handful or two of his friends. The NFL, just like all event promoters, reserves a cache of house seats just for celebrities and their last-minute requests.

However, Mayweather��s suite holds 34 people, which might have been a tall order to comp, even for someone of his renown.

More importantly, Mayweather appears to have paid mostly for bragging rights. Check out his Instagram caption��

��I don��t kiss a** and I never have to beg for nothing especially not to get a Super Bowl suite. I don��t mind accepting invites at times, but one things for sure �� The person that��s paying does all the saying. Therefore I get My Own seats and suites so I can do what I want and invite who I want! I��m blessed to be taking 34 people to experience the 1st Super Bowl in Las Vegas!��

Even nosebleed seats are averaging $8,600 each, with suites like Mayweather��s going for as much as $2.5M.

Looks like Money Mayweather got in while that suite was a bargain!

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The CFP Selection Committee stunned the sports world today when they gave an undefeated Florida State Seminoles team (13-0, ACC) the boot from the coveted top four. The 13-member committee decided the Seminoles without star quarterback Jordan Travis rendered the ACC champs unworthy of a playoff bid.

With Florida State out, the final CFP top four were Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama.

Michigan, Texas Early Favorites

Both College Football Playoff Semifinal games will be played on New Year’s Day. The Rose Bowl Game between No. 1 Michigan and No. 4 Alabama kicks off at 5 pm EST on Jan. 1. DraftKings opened the matchup with the Wolverines favored by two points. The over/under is at 46 points.

The second CFP Semifinal is the Allstate Sugar Bowl at 8:45 EST. DraftKings has a one-loss Longhorns team favored over the undefeated Huskies. Texas is spotting Washington at 4.5 points, with the over/under at 63.5 points.

One of the four finalists will be crowned the national champion of college football. Michigan has the shortest odds of winning their first natty since 1997 at +180. A $100 bet on that line and the Wolverines hoisting the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy would net $180.

Alabama has the next-shortest odds at +200, suggesting that the Rose Bowl winner will be the favorite in the Jan. 8 National Championship Game. The title bout will be played in Houston at NRG Stadium, home of the NFL Houston Texans.

Texas’ national championship odds are at +260 and Washington is the underdog at +700.

Other Favorites

As for the rest of the New Year’s Six bowls, No. 7 Ohio State (11-1, Big Ten) plays No. 9 Missouri (10-2, SEC) in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28 at 8 pm EST. The Buckeyes are favored by 6.5.

No. 10 Penn State (10-2, Big Ten) plays No. 11 Ole Miss (10-2, SEC) in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 at noon. The Nittany Lions are favored by 3.5 points.

No. 5 Florida State (13-0, ACC) plays No. 6 Georgia (11-1, SEC) in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30 at 4 pm EST. The Bulldogs are 13-point favorites.

The last New Year’s Six games before the CFP is No. 8 Oregon playing No. 23 Liberty (13-0, C-USA) in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1 at 1 pm EST. The Ducks are big favorites spotting the Conference USA champs 15.5 points.

CFP Controversy

The CFP Selection Committee believes they got it right in moving Alabama up four spots after upsetting Georgia last night. The Crimson Tide’s victory snapped the Bulldogs’ 29-game winning streak, which dated back to Dec. 2021, when Georgia lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.

Florida State coach Mike Norvell was naturally upset.

I am disgusted and infuriated with the committee’s decision today to have what was earned on the field taken away because a small group of people decided they knew better than the results of the games. What is the point of playing games? Do you tell players it is okay to quit if someone goes down? Do you not play a senior on Senior Day for fear of injury? Where is the motivation to schedule challenging non-conference games?” Norvell questioned in a statement.

“We are not only an undefeated Power 5 conference champion, but we also played two P5 non-conference games away from home and won both of them. I don’t understand how we are supposed to think this is an acceptable way to evaluate a team,” Norvell concluded.

FSU critics pointed to their strength of schedule, which was ranked 55th in NCAA Division 1 football this year. Alabama critics point to the fact that they needed a last-second touchdown on a 4th and 31 to beat a lowly Auburn team that went 6-6 on the season.

The post Michigan, Texas Favored in College Football Playoff Against Alabama, Washington appeared first on Casino.org.

Hunter S. Thompson, who died by suicide 18 years ago last Monday, is famous for being a gonzo journalist. So, many of his fans regard his book, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, as a journal of events that actually occurred.

Actually, that��s not so much their fault, since Random House published the author��s 1972 masterwork under the category of general nonfiction. But Thompson never claimed any of the events described in it were true.

The fact that neither of his main characters was a real person should have been the first clue. The story is narrated by one Raoul Duke, whose traveling companion/attorney is Dr. Gonzo.

Figuring he might be next, he whisked his main source for the story, attorney Oscar Zeta Acosta, off to Las Vegas to interview him there. Sports Illustrated had hired Thompson to cover the Mint 400, an off-road vehicle race around undeveloped parts of North Las Vegas from March 21-23, 1971.

Sports Illustrated “aggressively rejected” (Thompson’s words) what he submitted as his race coverage. What was supposed to be a 250-word caption instead became a 2,500-word screed on the death of the American dream. So, Thompson instead offered it to Rolling Stone, whose editor, Jann Wenner, scheduled it to run in two parts in future issues.

More than a month later, Thompson and Acosta returned to Las Vegas. They were there to cover the National District Attorneys Association’s Conference on Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs for the second half of his Rolling Stone assignment. With only a few minor edits and the addition of the grotesquely hallucinogenic illustrations of Ralph Steadman, the magazine series became the book that would forever entwine Thompson’s name with Las Vegas. He wrote most of it in a hotel room in Arcadia, Calif., while completing Strange Rumblings in Aztlan, his Salazar article for Rolling Stone.

So how much really happened in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream??Based on interviews with witnesses and participants, somewhere around 25%.

The 75% That Didn’t Happen

Let��s start with the legendary contents of Thompson and Acosta��s rental car trunk. In the book, it included ��seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers, �� a pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls,” all gathered during one feverish night in L.A.

This was supposedly the fuel for all the book’s misadventures.

However, in a letter to his Random House editor, published in the 1997 book, Fear and Loathing in America,?Thompson admitted there was no actual drug use. The novel ��was a very conscious attempt to simulate drug freakout,�� he wrote, though he did ��at times, bring situations & feelings I remember from other scenes to the reality at hand.” He later wrote to the same editor: ”I have never had much respect or affection for journalism.”

A good chunk of the book��s action took place in Room 1850 of The Mint��s tower (one of 365 rooms that new owner Binion��s Horseshoe permanently closed in 2009). According to Duke’s narration, he and Dr. Gonzo ran up an unpaid room service bill of $29 to $36 an hour for 48 consecutive hours before trashing their room and swiping 600 bars of Neutrogena soap.

“That is something I would have been immediately informed of, but I never heard that,” K.J. Howe, a publicity executive with the Mint at the time, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2010. According to Howe, there was no “Mr. Heem” or any other hotel executive looking for Thompson, Acosta couldn��t have ordered a set of luggage from room service without paying, and no soap was reported stolen.

His concept of what was going on and what was really going on was two different things,” Howe said.

However, Thompson did get the brand of allegedly stolen soap right. (Millionaire real-estate developer Del Webb, who owned the Mint, also sat on the company’s board that made Neutrogena.) Thompson��s eye for detail could imbue an air of believability into the most obvious fantasy.

Another event that never happened is the Debbie Reynolds show at the Desert Inn, at least in the way Thompson reported it. In the book, Duke and Dr. Gonzo witness the opening number (a cover of the Beatles�� Sgt. Pepper��s Lonely Hearts Club Band) before getting bounced for having conned their way in for free.

While Reynolds did play the Desert Inn in March 1971, the singer said she was never informed of any incident resembling this. However, she was sure of one detail that casts suspicion over the entire account: never, she told the R-J, did she perform Sgt. Pepper.

Other embellishments require no witnesses to identify. For instance, the district attorneys�� conference Thompson was assigned to cover by Rolling Stone convened in late April, more than a month after the Mint 400. Yet the book places the events a week apart, joining them through an aborted trip to L.A. punctuated by a traffic stop conducted by a California Highway Patrol officer who supposedly let Thompson go after the author led him on an off-road chase, at 100 mph, with a Budweiser in hand.

“You know,” Thompson quoted the officer, “I get the feeling you could use a nap.”

The 25% That Did Happen

In the 2008 documentary, Gonzo,?Thompson and Acosta can actually be heard living out Chapter 9 as they pull into a Boulder City, Nev. taco stand during their second trip to Las Vegas.

“We��re looking for the American dream,” Acosta tells a waitress, “and we were told it was somewhere in this area.”

The waitress turns to the cook, thinking she has just been asked directions to a nightclub.

“Hey Lou,” she says, “you know where the American Dream is?”

That whole chapter is a transcription of that audiotape,” “Gonzo” director Alex Gibney told the R-J? in 2010. “So it leads you to believe that some of this stuff is real.”

For the final say, we��ll go to the horse��s mouth. Here��s a blurb from Thompson that was published on the book��s original jacket cover…

“My idea was to buy a fat notebook and record the whole thing, as it happened, then send in the notebook for publication — without editing,” Thompson wrote. “But this is a hard thing to do, and in the end, I found myself imposing an essentially fictional framework on what began as a piece of straight/crazy journalism.”

The post VEGAS MYTHS RE-BUSTED: ��Fear and Loathing�� Really Happened appeared first on Casino.org.

Fanatics told Casino.org on Tuesday that its sportsbook app is up and running on iOS and Android. Virginia marks the seventh state where the Fanatics Sportsbook platform has launched following Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Founded in 2011 by Michael Rubin, Fanatics is an American manufacturer and online retailer of licensed sportswear for the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Formula 1, and NASCAR. In May, Fanatics agreed to acquire PointsBet’s struggling U.S. sports betting business for $225 million. The offer beat out DraftKings’ $195 million tender.

Account Migrations

Former PointsBet users in Virginia must download the Fanatics Sportsbook app to continue their online wagering. Once downloaded and installed, users can login into their Fanatics betting accounts with the same credentials they used on PointsBet.

The Fanatics Sportsbook launch in Virginia comes a week after Fanatics debuted its sportsbook and online casino products in West Virginia, which is one of only six states where iGaming with interactive slots and table games is permitted.

DraftKings and FanDuel are the biggest players in the legal U.S. sports betting industry, with respective market shares of about 45% and 32%. BetMGM is third at roughly 10%, and Caesars Sportsbook is fourth at 6%. That’s according to SportsPro Media, a London-based analytical firm focused on sports-specific industries.

Fanatics Sportsbook controls a smaller percentage of the market. But analysts believe the firm has room for growth because of the company’s extensive database of merchandise customers, many of whom could be converted into bettors.

Responsible Gaming Initiative

In addition to announcing its Virginia sports betting commencement, Fanatics Sportsbook told Casino.org that the sports betting firm is partaking in a new responsible gaming campaign. Fanatics, along with DraftKings, FanDuel, and ESPN Bet, debuted its responsible gaming campaign targeting the NBA, NHL, and NHL last night during TNT’s NBA coverage.

Called “Never Know What’s Next,” the first 30-second commercial encourages bettors to participate responsibly.

We love the game because anything can happen,” the spot begins with a narrated voiceover. “There’s no sure thing. Every play, every shot, every swing is a risk if you bet. There’s no easy money. There’s no lock. And no one wins all the time.”

“So, if you bet, bet responsibly, and always set a limit,” the PSA concludes.

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Michael Fucheck was the track��s top lawyer for nine years. In a recently unsealed federal lawsuit, he provided images that he says show Gulfstream Park using portable pumps to secretly leak water contaminated with feces into the canal.

The lawsuit describes how the manure builds up in the horses�� stalls, pathways, and the track, and is then hosed down by trainers and groundskeepers. This means heavily contaminated water collects in Gulfstream��s underground stormwater drainage system.

Horse feces may contain salmonella, which is potentially very dangerous to humans. Infected horses can transmit the parasite directly to humans through fecal contamination of water. Equine feces may also contain dangerous fecal coliform and phosphorus,�� the lawsuit states. ��Because of these risks, county, state, and federal environmental laws establish strict controls over the disposal of wastewater emanating from racetracks,�� it continues.

The complaint notes that the Intercoastal Waterway is used for recreational and business purposes by ��perhaps millions of people.��

Fucheck claims the track was pumping out contaminated water for ��at least�� 14 months, between March 2021 and April 2022, violating agreements with county and federal environmental agencies.

��Frivolous�� Suit

The racetrack in Hallandale Beach is owned by the Stronach Group and is a key venue on the racing calendar, hosting the Pegasus World Cup and the Florida Derby. Its casino is one of just a handful of pari-mutuel venues permitted to offer Class III ��Las Vegas-style�� slots outside of the Seminole reservations.

��The claim stems from allegations by an ex-employee who was terminated in 2019,�� the Stronach Group said in a statement to The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. ��The Stronach Group has complied with all applicable laws and regulations, and we continue to do so. We intend to vigorously defend this frivolous lawsuit.��

Past Infractions

The racetrack has a history when it comes to polluting the canal. In 2017, it settled for $456K with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and promised to take measures to stop the effluence of contaminated water.

The U.S. government has declined to join the case in this instance. But Steven Grover, Fucheck��s lawyer, insisted to the Sun Sentinel that this was not a reflection of the strength of their case. The decision could be connected to budgetary issues, or the government could be planning to refer the case to the EPA, he said.

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After winning the money, Jones quit tiling, and he credits his early retirement as the reason he could hone his pool skills to international standards. Jones said he put in “thousands of hours” of training because his retirement and the COVID lockdown left him with little to do.

The 59-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent had just ��13 in his pocket when he won the ��2.5 million. Work had dried up, and Christmas was approaching.

“We��ve just been scraping along,�� he told The Daily Mirror then. ��We borrowed some money so we could get through Christmas, knowing that in the New Year, there were a couple of jobs possibly in the pipeline.��

Surprise Win

Jones and his partner, Julie Kirkham, who worked in a caf�� at the time, initially thought they��d won just ��10. But they soon noticed they��d matched all six numbers in the National Lottery��s Lucky Dip draw.

I called to Julie to come and check the ticket, too, as my hands were shaking so much. She thought I was pulling her leg,�� he said.

Jones will now be swapping six balls for an eight ball as he captains the England B1 team in Malta next month. He said he was ��sobbing�� after getting the call.

Winning History?

Having played snooker as a junior, he rose through the ranks after the lottery win to become a regular pool player for his county, Staffordshire.

He had his first England trial in 2021, but narrowly missed out. He got another shot in 2023, and this time, he made the grade. It was like winning the lottery. He just wishes his dad was still here to share in the moment.

My dad was so supportive of me. He was so proud,�� Jones said. ��When he was in hospital, I used to tell him the county results every month and he��d say: ��You really want this, don��t you? It will come.�� And it did �C it was really emotional.��

Jones said his wealth hasn’t changed the way he��s seen by friends at his local pool club. They respect him for his talents, not his money.

‘It’s about what you can achieve because money can’t buy you an England place,�� he said. “Winning the lottery allowed me to put those hours in. If I didn’t win, I wouldn’t have been able to buy the table, I wouldn’t have had the time. I’d still be on my hands and knees, tiling.”

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Wynn in March acquired a closed section of the Mystic power plant from Constellation Energy for $25 million. The 45-acre site is across Alford Street (Broadway) from the Encore Boston Harbor casino resort.

Wynn officials are seeking to expand the casino’s footprint south across Broadway. The company wants to build a new sportsbook, poker room, and 979-seat theater. A subsequent expansion phase would bring two more hotel towers with 800 guestrooms to the complex. If state regulators approve the project, Wynn says the two development stages would cost around $1.7 billion.

Entertainment District

Wynn Resorts wants to further bet on Everett with a partnership with the Kraft Group, which owns the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Kraft also owns MLS’ New England Revolution.

Kraft, the billionaire who owns the holdings company, is seeking a new stadium for his soccer club, as Gillette is too big for the pitch and fans. Wynn officials and Kraft have discussed bringing the team to Everett since 2022.

Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria is supportive of the effort. The mayor says the soccer complex could lead to “a thriving, publicly-accessible waterfront.”

The only way to remove land from a Designated Port Area is to have the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management agree to lift the restriction or have the Legislature pass a bill that removes a parcel from the industrial boundary.

The Boston Globe reports that lawmakers are working on legislation allowing for a commercial project on the property.

Opponents Voice Concern

A state bill would expedite the removal of the property restrictions, as a rezoning petition with the Office of Coastal Zone Management can endure over two years. Environmentalists say a thorough review is warranted.

“I don’t think anyone would consider this the right way to greenlight a project that will have enormous impacts, and not just in Everett,” Bradley Campbell with the Conservative Law Foundation told the Globe.

Campbell is encouraging a more open and transparent review of the environmental impacts of allowing the contaminated site to be rezoned for commercial use.

Because of changes to the wholesale energy market in recent decades, Constellation says continuing to operate the power station is no longer economically feasible. The company is slowly closing the plant, with a full retirement set for June 2024.

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Defensive midfielder Sandro Tonali and attacking midfielder Nicol�� Zaniolo are under investigation by police looking into illegal betting. Investigators questioned the duo at Italy��s training camp last Thursday. The players have been sent home from international duty and won’t play against England on Tuesday.

Italian media reported this week that Tonali, who joined EPL club Newcastle this summer from Milan, has admitted to betting on soccer games via an illegal platform. Zaniolo has denied betting on games. But he admitted to playing online poker and blackjack, although he claims he didn’t know the sites he used were illegal. He currently plays for the EPL��s Aston Villa.

Fagioli Wants Plea Deal

The police raid on the training camp came a day after Juventus central midfielder Nicol�� Fagioli surrendered to the Turin Prosecutor��s Office to admit to betting on games. Italian media reports he is seeking a plea deal to receive a lighter punishment.

Players found breaking Italian soccer��s rules against betting on games face up to a three-year ban from the sport.

Fagioli made his international debut last November and could have featured against England on Tuesday night were he not already embroiled in the betting scandal.

With this misadventure, we��ve all been affected by this,�� Spalletti said in Monday��s prematch press conference, as translated by The Daily Mirror. ��We need to move forward. We have to focus on what our goals are. They��re good players. But we can��t depend solely on these players in order to get a result.��

Spalleti said the proceedings had been ��traumatic,�� especially with police turning up at the training camp. The other players were ��surprised and upset.��

��Some of us were able to give [Tonali and Zaniolo] a hug before they went home,�� he added. “The players themselves were absolutely distraught because when you are part of a national team, very strong ties and bonds are created.��

Qualification Perilous

Spalleti hopes his players can put these events behind them during a tough game tonight at London��s Wembley Stadium. Lose and qualification for the Euros hangs in the balance.

It would mean that the Azzurri would have to beat Ukraine on the final matchday in a game that will be played in Germany because of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Despite winning Euro 2020 after beating England on penalties in the final, Italy failed to qualify for the past two World Cups. Missing out on a major competition would pile further trauma on this team and its intensely passionate supporters.

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The bet was purportedly made on the online gambling platform Stake.com, where Drake is an ambassador. While the details of the bet are speculative, the rumored success adds a new layer to Drake’s ventures beyond the music industry.

This triumph comes in the wake of a less fortunate gambling streak for the rapper. Reports suggest that Drake faced substantial losses in bets last year, tallying up to more than $4 million. Some reports say he wagered more than $2 billion in two months. The ups and downs of celebrity gambling aren’t uncommon, and Drake’s recent win highlights the unpredictable nature of sports betting.

Drake Backs the Paul Brothers

Earlier this year, the rapper reportedly placed bets on Jake Paul, Logan’s brother. It was a highly anticipated bout against Tommy Fury in February that, unfortunately for Drake, led to a million-dollar loss when the younger Paul brother lost.

Drake’s willingness to engage in substantial bets on both established and emerging figures in the boxing world showcases the evolving intersection of entertainment, sports, and betting. While the rapper’s financial gains and losses in the betting realm add an element of intrigue to his public persona, there have been rumors that many online betting platforms cut deals with their ambassadors and other social media personalities to fix the numbers.

The platforms will allegedly give the personality digital credits with which they can place their wagers. The amounts of the bets and the winnings, or losses, are only visual effects that have no real monetary value.

FanDuel had Paul at -490 to win the bout, with Danis getting +400. However, Drake could have won big if he had bet on Bodog. The platform reportedly had Danis at odds of +500 to attempt a guillotine, and +800 to get disqualified.

DQ Before TKO

Paul and Danis attracted attention for the boxing match they had at the AO Arena in the city of Manchester, England. Both had a score to settle as a result of their long-running war of words, which started in 2018 when Danis verbally attacked Paul following a bout the latter had just completed.

After years of verbal sparring, the two finally got into the ring on Saturday to settle their differences.

The fight went sideways in the sixth round when Danis apparently forgot in which sport he was fighting. The Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, making his debut in the boxing ring, fell to the canvas and then tried to put Paul into submission with a guillotine.

While acceptable in the octagon, it’s against the rules in boxing. Paul responded with a quick succession of blows that hit his opponent’s face until the referee stepped in and broke them up.

Danis was almost certainly going to lose anyway. Paul had dominated every round up to that point and was closing in for the kill shot. He could have landed a blow to Danis that would have resulted in a TKO or KO if it weren’t for his opponent’s loss of cognitive functions.

What’s next for the MMA fighter is clear and perhaps more his speed. He tweeted on X Sunday morning, “UFC next.”

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Vilda was fired after a controversial nonconsensual kiss between RFEF president Luis and forward Jenni Hermoso. Hermoso later stated the action was neither welcome nor consensual.

In a speech just days after the final, Rubiales insisted the kiss had been consensual and refused calls to resign. He added that the RFEF would act against the player because of her ��lies.�� Vilda, a close ally of Rubiales, was spotted applauding the speech.

Some 81 players, including all members of the World Cup-winning squad, refused to play for the national team while Rubiales remained in his position.

Vilda was suspended as RFEF president by the world soccer governing body, FIFA, on August 26. Vilda coached the team for eight years. Montse Tome, the first woman to hold the position, will replace him.

The move was unprecedented, given the recent World Cup win. In the game, Spain beat England 1-0 in a hard-fought contest at Sydney Stadium, Australia. But the victory has been wrecked by a kiss.

RFEF Issues Statement

While the federation did not offer a reason for Vilda��s removal, an official RFEF statement described the sacking as ��one of the first renewal measures�� following the scandal.

The RFEF appreciates [Vilda’s] work at the head of the national team and in his functions as the head of sports for the women’s teams, as well as the successes achieved during his time, crowned with the recent achievement of the World Cup,” said the RFEF.

However, the RFEF was less complimentary towards Rubiales and apologized for the ��unacceptable behavior of its highest institutional representative during the final.��

The damage caused to Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society and the values ??of football and sport as a whole have been enormous,�� the federation said.

Vilda��s tenure was not without controversy. In September 2022, he faced a revolt by 15 players who told RFEF they would refuse to play for Vilda unless concerns over their ��emotional state�� and ��health�� were addressed. Just three of those 15 were welcomed back into the fold to play England in the World Cup final.

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The tribe opened its $600 million, 1,000-room hotel at its Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant in 2021. Located just 80 miles north of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area, the Choctaw casino benefits from Texas’ ban on slot machines.

The Choctaws this week announced a partnership with three Texas sports legends. Dubbed “Where the Players Play,” the advertising campaign stars NFL greats Troy Aikman and Darren Woodson, who both played for the Dallas Cowboys, and MLB Hall of Fame member Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, who spent the bulk of his career with the Texas Rangers. Aikman is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.

Luring Texans North

Choctaw Casinos & Resorts said in a statement that the advertising campaign starring the three Texas sports legends is a multimillion-dollar deal that runs four years. The trio will serve as brand ambassadors of the Oklahoma tribal casinos.

The North Texas market is home to a large majority of our annual visitors, and we can’t wait to have these sports icons represent and celebrate the Choctaw brand,” said Janie Dillard, senior executive officer of the Choctaw Nation’s Commerce Division.

The “Where the Players Play” campaign will include television, social media, and radio adverts featuring the stars’ likenesses. Aikman, who grew up in Oklahoma and spent a year at the University of Oklahoma before transferring to UCLA, said he “couldn’t be more excited” to team up with Choctaw Casinos.

The Choctaws have leveraged Texas sports stars and teams to market its Oklahoma casinos for many years. Choctaw Casinos & Resorts has partnerships in place with the Texas Rangers, the NHL’s Dallas Stars, the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, and the PGA Tour’s AT&T Byron Nelson.

“With this investment in iconic North Texas athletes, the collaboration with Aikman, Rodriguez, and Woodson will land the Oklahoma-based brand at 24 sports-related partnerships in 2023,” a Choctaw statement read.

Gaming Remains on Hold

Texas lawmakers once again considered ending the state’s prohibition on commercial casinos and slot machines this year. But after a gaming bill passed the state House of Representatives in May, the statute was shelved in a Senate committee.

Las Vegas Sands has spent many millions of dollars in recent years lobbying Texas legislators to allow the company to come in and build a casino destination. Gaming support has seemingly grown, with one powerful backer being billionaire Mark Cuban.

The Mavericks owner and “Shark Tank” star said in May that Texas needs casinos to grow tourism and diversify the state’s hospitality offerings.

Ask your out-of-state friends how often they have saved up to bring their family to Texas. Ask anyone how often they look forward to coming here during the summer. You already know the answer,” Cuban told The Dallas Morning News.

Dallas-Fort Worth isn’t the only major metro in Texas that props up casinos in neighboring states. Houston is the primary feeder market for casinos in Louisiana’s Lake Charles.

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City and West Ham agreed to the deal in principle last week, just before news of the investigation broke.

The FA, English soccer��s governing body, is understood to be looking into a yellow card Paqueta received for a late challenge on Aston Villa��s John Mcguin on March 12.

An unusual number of bets was placed on Paqueta getting booked in the game, which finished 1-1. The suspicious bets were reported to the International Betting Integrity Association, alerting FIFA and the FA.

Bets in Brazil

Some are believed to have been placed in Duque de Caxias, a city on Brazil��s Guanabara Bay. Paqueta was born and raised on Paqueta Island, a half-mile-square island in Guanabara Bay. His real name is Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima, but he adopted the name Paqueta as a tribute to his place of birth.

Unusually, some of the suspicious bets were placed on West Ham��s jersey sponsor Betway, a platform rarely used in Brazil.

Paqueta hasn’t been accused of placing any of the bets. He has expressed shock at the situation and denies involvement. However, it��s understood that people close to him are being investigated.

Should Paqueta be found guilty of betting violations �C and at this stage, there��s no suggestion that he will �C he would face a lengthy ban from English soccer, impacting his market value.

Toney Ban

In May, Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney was banned from the sport for eight months after admitting to 232 breaches of FA betting rules.

The FA prohibits players from betting on any soccer game anywhere in the world. Toney was found to have liberally wagered on games he wasn’t involved in and placed 16 bets on games he was playing. He always backed his team to win in those cases, and the FA found no evidence of match-fixing.

The implication in the Paqueta case is that the FA is looking for evidence of spot-fixing. This relates to manipulating small aspects of a game �� the number of cards or corners, for example — rather than the outright result.

Spot-fixing is almost unheard of in elite soccer because stratospheric wages remove the financial incentive for corruption. A conviction for spot-fixing could result in the FA handing down a lifelong ban from the game.

Xahka Cleared

Granit Xahka, now of Bayer Leverkusen, found himself under investigation for a yellow card he received while playing for Arsenal against Leeds in December 2021. The Swiss midfielder inexplicably appeared to waste time before taking a free kick in the 85th minute despite Arsenal holding a comfortable 4-1 lead.

A flurry of large bets on Xhaka getting booked in the game’s final 10 minutes sparked investigations by the FA, Gambling Commission, and the UK��s National Crime Agency.

Sixteen months later, all three organizations concluded the player had no case to answer.

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Some parents in New York City say their children are being used as “pawns” by casino developers hoping to win one of the state’s three downstate commercial gaming licenses.

New York legalized seven commercial casinos in 2013, but the law included a 10-year moratorium on the state issuing the three downstate licenses. The provision was to allow the four upstate casinos to open free of downstate competition.

That 10-year moratorium is over, and the New York Gaming Facility Location Board will begin fielding applications for the coveted downstate gaming concessions in the coming months.

With MGM Resorts’ Empire City in Yonkers and Genting’s Resorts World New York City in Queens considered strong favorites for two of the licenses, the bidding war for the expected lone license is fierce. Nearly a dozen bids are currently being prepped.

Youth Sports Support

Las Vegas Sands, the world’s richest gaming operator in terms of annual gross revenue, is readying a $4 billion casino bid that would overhaul the Nassau Coliseum complex on Long Island into a commercial integrated casino resort destination.

The New York Times reports that parents of youth soccer players in Nassau County were recently invited to bring their kids to the Mitchell Athletic Complex in Uniondale for a training session with global soccer superstars David Beckham and Carli Lloyd.

Rich and Megan Corrao took their children to the Beckham-Lloyd event and were none too pleased to learn that a casino was sponsoring the shindig.

“Don’t use our kids as pawns in your effort to dump something in our community that a lot of people really don’t want.” Mr. Corrao told the Times. “It’s not appreciated. It’s not right. They’re not selling bubble gum.”

A similar incident occurred in Coney Island, where a group is targeting a $3 billion casino called “The Coney.” This spring, a nonprofit called Brooklyn USA Basketball distributed new uniforms and T-shirts to youth hoops players that carry “The Coney” logo.

“They’re using our children to promote a casino,” said Lakeisha Bowers, who prevented her 12-year-old son from wearing one of “The Coney” shirts.

Casino Supporters Respond

Las Vegas Sands spokesperson Ron Reese says the casino company is much more than gambling and regularly empowers the communities where it operates or hopes to.

We’ll continue to invest in youth organizations because they’re important parts of the communities in which we operate,” Reese said.

A representative from Brooklyn USA Basketball said because of “The Coney” support, this year was the first year since 2011 that the nonprofit could provide uniforms for every child in the program. The nonprofit leaders noted that nowhere is the word “casino” or any reference to gambling made on the uniforms and T-shirts.

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A spokesman for the company told Casino.org that collectibles will be part of the Fanatics Sportsbook rewards program down the road. Earlier this week, the privately held company rolled out its mobile betting application in Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Tennessee.

We see many opportunities for FanCash to potentially be integrated across our entire Fanatics ecosystem at some point in the future as we continue to build a robust rewards program and further enhance the fan experience,” said the spokesman. “However, there are no immediate plans for the collectibles business at this time.”

Currently, the FanCash loyalty program allows Fanatics sports betting clients to convert FanCash into bonus bets or merchandise on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Bettors earn 1% on a regular or straight wagers, 3% on parlays and 5% on same-game parlays.

Fanatics Collectibles Could Be Unique Wagering Reward

Bettors, be they sports bettors or those that like slots and table games, love customer loyalty plans. Those programs are staples of the land-based casino industry and those operators are seeing benefits from allowing iGaming and online sportsbook clients to accrue points that can be used at brick-and-mortar casinos.

In January 2022, Fanatics announced its $500 million acquisition of Topps Sports & Entertainment — one of the most venerable brands in the sports card industry. That��s just one sign of Fanatics�� efforts to be a major player in this space.

In August 2021, the company announced card deals with Major League Baseball (MLB) �� for years fertile territory for Topps �� and the NBA, as well as agreements with the players of the those leagues and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).

Smart Move by Fanatics

Introducing collectibles into the FanCash scheme could prove prescient by Fanatics. It��s logical that some collectors are also interested in sports wagering and, by some estimates, the sports card segment could be a nearly $99 billion industry by 2027. Fanatics also has the reach necessary to make it a force in sports collectibles and brand recognition that resonates with bettors and collectors alike.

��Fanatics Collectibles also has partnerships with a number of individual international sports teams and leagues, as well as owners of other entertainment properties granting similar exclusive rights,�� according to the company. ��Fanatics Collectibles recently announced Fanatics Live, expected to launch later in 2023, which will focus on transforming the digital shopping experience through personality-driven content and entertainment.��

Fanatics has licensing agreements with leagues, including Major League Baseball (MLB), the NFL and the NBA and the related players associations to produce digital and physical cards and collectibles. Fanatics founder Michael Rubin is an avid collector and has been buying and selling sports cards for close to four decades.

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That autobiography, Gambler: Secrets From a Life of Risk,is set for release on August 22. The highly anticipated, self-written account of Walters’ lengthy history of betting big on sports with any bookie who would take his action also details one of his closest and most controversial relationships, golf superstar Phil Mickelson.

Davis was reportedly a client of Walters’ sports betting ring and became indebted to him. He attempted to pay his debts by providing Walters with information on Dean Foods, which the Las Vegas businessman used to make $43 million in profits.

Mickelson ultimately forfeited the $931K he made on Dean Foods and said he must be more “responsible” in deciding whom he “associates with.” The U.S. Justice Department decided not to pursue charges against the 45-time PGA Tour winner.

Mickelson’s a Whale, Walters Alleges

Mickelson and Walters reportedly enjoyed a long friendship and played golf often in Las Vegas. Mickelson has also long had a reputation among colleagues on Tour for gambling during practice rounds before he jumped for LIV Golf in 2022.

In his new book, Walters sheds some light on Mickelson’s alleged betting behavior.

Based on our relationship and what I’ve since learned from others, Phil’s gambling losses approached not $40 million, as has been previously reported, but much closer to $100 million. In all, he wagered a total of more than $1 billion during the past three decades,” Walters wrote in an excerpt obtained by the Associated Press.

The convicted insider trader alleges that his detailed records, and records provided by other sources, show that Mickelson bet more than $100K nearly 2,000 times between 2010 and 2014 alone. Walters writes that most of Mickelson’s action was handled by offshore sportsbooks, which are unregulated and illegal for US players to use.

“The only other person I know who surpassed that kind of volume is me,” Walters claims.

Walters says Mickelson called him from the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah outside Chicago, asking him to place a $400K bet on the U.S. winning after his offshore book refused the wager.

“I could not believe what I was hearing,” Walters writes. “‘Have your lost your mind?’ I asked him. ‘Don’t you remember what happened to Pete Rose?'”

Walters’ Retaliation

Billy Walters’ friendship with Mickelson is no more, as the convicted insider trader says he was disappointed in how “Lefty,” as Mickelson has been affectionately known by his throngs of fans, handled the federal probe. Walters specifically writes that Mickelson’s denial of knowing that the Dean Foods information constituted insider trading was upsetting.

All Phil had to do was publicly say it. He refused,” Walters alleges. “The outcome cost me my freedom, tens of millions of dollars and a heartbreak I still struggle with daily.”

“While I was in prison, my daughter committed suicide — I still believe I could have saved her if I’d been on the outside,” Walters said.

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Under the terms of the agreement, the regional casino operator will pay the sports media giant $1.5 billion over 10 years to use ESPN Bet branding for that period with an option for another 10 years at the end of the initial term. Penn is also granting ESPN $500 million in warrants that allow the network to buy approximately 31.8 million shares in the casino company, vesting ratably over 10 years. In return, Penn gets ��marketing services, brand and other rights provided by ESPN.��

Penn estimates the relationship with ��the worldwide leader in sports�� could add $500 million to $1 billion in long-term, adjusted earnings before interest taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) to its interactive gaming unit.

Upon ESPN Bet meeting certain U.S. online sports betting (OSB) market share performance thresholds, ESPN could receive bonus warrants to purchase up to an additional approximately 6.4 million PENN common shares,�� according to a statement.

That implies ESPN could eventually own 38.2 million shares of Penn, or nearly a quarter of the gaming company��s shares outstanding based on current figures. Based on Penn��s market capitalization of $3.84 billion at the close of US markets on Tuesday, and the $1.5 billion the casino operator is paying to ESPN, the Disney unit could come out well ahead of the $3 billion it sought two years ago in rumored licensing discussions with sportsbook operators.

ESPN also has the option to appoint a nonvoting observer to the Penn board of directors, or at the conclusion of the third year of the pact, ��designate a Board member subject to satisfying gaming regulatory approval(s) and a minimum ownership threshold.��

Penn Swiftly Rids Itself of Barstool Sports

Nearly a year to the day on which it acquired 100% of David Portnoy��s Barstool Sports, Penn Entertainment announced its parting ways with the upstart media entity that served as the brand for the gaming company��s online and retail sportsbooks.

The Pennsylvania-based gaming company said it��s selling 100% of the equity in Barstool Sports to Portnoy. Financial terms of that transaction weren��t revealed, but Penn noted it has rights to 50% of the proceeds received by Portnoy should he opt to sell Barstool or monetize it another way.

Rumors about a potential sale of Barstool by Penn surfaced earlier this year, so it��s not surprising a deal to effect materialized. The stunner is the timeframe in which it occurred.

In the months ahead, Penn will shed the Barstool branding on its sportsbooks for ESPN Bet while the operator��s iGaming platform will bear the Hollywood Casino name. The operator��s Canadian sports betting business will retain the Score Bet name.

Other Interesting Odds and Ends

News of the Penn/ESPN relationship arrives about a month before the three-year anniversary of the network inking what, at the time, were viewed as landmark accords with Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR) and DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG).

It��s not yet been confirmed, but at the price point Penn is paying and ESPN��s equity optionality in the firm, it��s likely that at some point, the deals with Caesars and DraftKings will fall by the wayside.

��PENN��s ability to leverage the leading sports media brands in both the U.S. and Canada with ESPN and theScore, combined with our newly launched sports betting app, will allow us to significantly expand our digital footprint and catapult ESPN Bet into a strong podium position in this space,�� said Penn CEO Jay Snowden in the statement. ��We believe we can achieve substantial adjusted EBITDA in our Interactive Segment over the coming years — and this will translate to very strong free cash flow generation for the Company and value creation for our shareholders.��

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Drake supposedly took a loss of $250K thanks to the defeat of D��az at the hands of YouTuber Jake Paul. Diaz was a formidable UFC fighter before deciding to try his skills as a pugilist.

Prior to the fight, and as he has done with many other sporting events, Drake published his Stake.com betting ticket, showing that he was backing D��az. The ticket includes an admission that the ��Way 2 Sexy�� singer can ��never bet against a D��az brother,�� even if his opponent is a better choice.

Swing and a Miss

Before the fight, Paul reacted on Instagram to Drake’s move with a violent image where he appears holding the decapitated head of D��az. In the post, Paul also left a message for the rapper assuring him that he “was losing his money.” He wasn��t wrong.

Despite the fact that Drake had previously expressed his admiration for the Paul brothers’ boxing prowess, a victory by D��az would have tripled his investment. Going into Saturday��s match, D��az was an underdog, with sportsbooks giving him around +340 against Paul��s -440.

Drake has Nate Diaz beating Jake Paul tomorrow pic.twitter.com/lM1VwH3D3A

— Drake Fan Page (@DrakeDirect_) August 5, 2023

The fight between D��az and Paul went the distance, leaving the outcome in the hands of the judges, and a key knockdown Paul delivered in the fifth round helped give him a boost. The judges scored the 10-round match with cards of 97-92, 98-91, and 98-91 in Paul’s favor.

In the fight between Paul and Tommy Fury, Drake reportedly lost $400K. He had backed the content creator, who was undefeated until that bout.

It��s not just hand-to-hand combat Drake likes. He has a history of reportedly placing big-money wagers on the NFL and other sports.

Despite Paul’s success in his boxing career, there have been controversies and accusations surrounding the authenticity of his fights. Bellator MMA fighter Dillon Danis has been particularly vocal about match-fixing claims.

Fights After Fights

The night of celebration and excitement that followed Paul’s victory over D��az was marred by a violent incident involving a group of spectators. Moments after the YouTuber-turned-boxer scored his unanimous decision over the MMA legend, some fans decided to test their own fighting skills, sparking a series of chaotic brawls at the event venue.

One of the most shocking moments was when one individual knocked another down and hit him on the back of the head against the marble floor. In addition, a two-on-one confrontation was witnessed near a stanchion, where a man attempted to kick two others involved in the fight.

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��A car pulled up right here and shot Tupac at this light and went that way,�� the former world champ tells film director John Singleton (Boyz n the Hood) in the clip posted by Twitter user @DailyLoud.

��I ain��t never told nobody,�� Mayweather confides in Singleton. ��Only the closest people with me know.��

Check out the footage for yourself.

No Contest

This is not only the most recently hatched Vegas myth this series has tackled in more than a year on the beat. It��s also the easiest to bust.

Where he lived at the time was the secret only his closest friends knew about.

In an attempt to chase clicks, however, @DailyLoud titled its video ��Floyd Mayweather says he witnessed Tupac��s murder in Las Vegas.��

Several illegitimate news websites, none of which deserve to be mentioned here, ran with the misrepresentation. Chasing their own clicks, they published what they claimed was a brand new, bombshell scoop.

Apparently, Mayweather was so besieged with calls and emails from friends and family members, as well as news websites and YouTube channels seeking comment, he took to Instagram to release a statement on July 27.

All of these false accusations stem from me sharing the location of the shooting with John Singleton due to my familiarity of the area since I lived there,�� the statement read. “This does not mean I witnessed Tupac��s shooting.��

Mayweather continued: “John Singleton was making a documentary or movie about Tupac, so he reached out to me asking where Flamingo (Road) and Koval (Lane) was located. The location of Tupac��s shooting is public knowledge and me living near there was just a coincidence.

“I did not witness Tupac Shakur��s death.”

Of the illegitimate news sites that bothered updating their reports with Mayweather’s statement, nearly all covered their backsides by claiming that Mayweather “changed his story.”

What is?True

Tupac Shakur was shot and killed on Sept. 7, 1996, while being driven west on Flamingo Road by his friend, Death Row Records founder Suge Knight. They were headed from a Mike Tyson fight at the MGM Grand to a nightclub.

The white Cadillac pulled up to the right of Knight’s BMW with three or four men inside.

One passenger stuck a weapon out of the back window and fired at least 13 rounds into the side of Knight��s car. Shakur was hit four times in the chest.

Shakur was taken by ambulance to University Medical Center, where he was heavily sedated, rushed into surgery, and slipped into a coma until he was removed from life support and died on Sept. 13, 1996.

He was 25 years old.

Davis, 60, was the uncle of Orlando Anderson, Shakur��s long-suspected killer, who died in a 1998 gang-related shooting.

Look for ��Vegas Myths Busted�� every Monday on?Casino.org.?Click here?to read previously busted Vegas myths. Got a suggestion for a Vegas myth that needs busting? Email?[email protected].

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That according to a recently published study by German Sports University Cologne. The ��Breaking Barriers: Assessing Women��s Sports, Betting, and Integrity Challenges�� study was commissioned by European gaming giants Entain, Flutter Entertainment, and Stats Perform, along with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), and All-In Diversity Project (AIDP). It is the first to examine the attributes of the women��s sports wagering market, as well as ��potential vulnerability of women’s sports to match-fixing.��

Entain owns half of BetMGM, while Flutter controls 95% of FanDuel — the largest online sportsbook operator in the U.S.

The study confirms that the dramatic increase in women��s sport has been accompanied by a similar growth in betting on women��s sport. Soccer is leading the way in terms of the number of people betting and placing bets on women��s sport, with an annual market growth rate of approximately 20% since 2020,�� according to the survey. ��This is followed by tennis, basketball, cricket, with growth rates of over 10% during the period 2017-2022.��

That paints a different picture than what��s seen in the U.S., where sportsbook operators are struggling to attract female bettors, according to some studies.

Women Betting Could See Near-Term Jump

Perhaps it was just a coincidence, but the study was revealed about a week before the start of the 2023 FIFA Women��s World Cup.

��We are about to witness the best-attended and most-watched women��s World Cup in history, and where soccer leads, other women��s sports are rapidly following,�� said IBIA CEO Khalid Ali in a statement. ��The dramatic growth of women��s sports is a hugely positive development �C for fans, the sports, and athletes themselves, and also for the betting market.��

It remains to be seen if domestic sportsbooks will see an uptick in handle due to the Women��s World Cup, and if female bettors will drive that potential increase. The event is being heavily promoted by mainstream sports media, and the USWNT are popular with American fans, bettors and otherwise.

In US, Basketball May Have to Do Heavy Lifting

As noted above, the study examined women��s betting growth in soccer, tennis, basketball, cricket, and volleyball. That has implications for female participation in the U.S. sports wagering market, because while the USWNT is beloved, World Cups aren��t held annually.

Likewise, cricket and volleyball aren��t popular among U.S. bettors. With Serena Williams retired and her sister Venus in the twilight of her career, there��s arguably a void among American women tennis, albeit temporary, that could depress women’s interest in betting on that sport.

That leaves college basketball and the WNBA as the most credible options for U.S. sportsbooks looking to appeal to a broader swath of female bettors.

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��We have plenty of racing to look forward to in 2023, including the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, and our fans can look forward to more excitement next season,�� Stefano Domenicali, F1��s president and CEO, stated in a press release.

��There is huge interest and continued demand for Formula 1, and I believe this calendar strikes the right balance between traditional races and new and existing venues,�� Domenicali stated.

F1 will hold its inaugural Grand Prix on Nov. 16-18, 2023, on a 3.8-mile street circuit enveloping the Las Vegas Strip. Crews are continuing to prepare the Strip and surrounding roadways, including Koval Lane and Harmon and Sands avenues, for their transformation into racetrack corners and straightaways.

24 in ’24

F1’s 2024 calendar includes some alterations aimed at “reducing logistical burdens and making the season more sustainable,�� the press release stated.

For instance, the Japanese Grand Prix moves to April, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix moves to September, and the Qatar Grand Prix moves to the second-to-last weekend of the season.

The Chinese Grand Prix is also back on the schedule for the first time since 2019, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here is F1��s full 2024 calendar:

• March 2: Bahrain (Sakhir)
• March 9: Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)
• March 24: Australia (Melbourne)
• April 7: Japan (Suzuka)
• April 21: China (Shanghai)
• May 5: US (Miami)
• May 19: Emilia Romagna (Imola)
• May 26: Monaco (Monte Carlo)
• June 9: Canada (Montreal)
• June 23: Spain (Barcelona)
• June 30: Austria (Spielberg)
• July 7: UK (Silverstone)
• July 21: Hungary (Hungaroring)
• July 28: Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
• Aug. 25: Netherlands (Zandvoort)
• Sept. 1: Italy (Monza)
• Sept. 15: Azerbaijan (Baku)
• Sept. 22: Singapore (Marina Bay)
• Oct. 20: US (Austin)
• Oct. 27: Mexico (Mexico City)
• Nov. 3: Brazil (Interlagos)
• Nov. 23: US (Las Vegas)
• Dec. 1: Qatar (Lusail)
• Dec. 8: Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)

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With junket groups and the mainland VIP players that the touring companies brought to town no more — and Macau ordering its six casino operators to collectively invest $13.5 billion into nongaming projects during the life of their recently issued 10-year concession extensions — ?the Chinese Special Administrative Region is laboring to find its new identity.

Gambling will continue to reign supreme, as the multibillion-dollar integrated casino resorts aren’t going anywhere. But the companies that own such lavish properties are developing ways to keep their rooms occupied and gaming floors busy in the post-junket era.

Referral Initiative

The Macau government, while issuing new licenses to its six casino operators — Sands, MGM, Wynn, Melco, Galaxy, and SJM — encouraged the concessionaires to consider investments in amenities and family-friendly attractions, with one possibility being sports. The government this week announced a new scheme that it believes will help develop the region as a sports destination.

Macau’s Cultural Affairs Bureau and Sports Bureau today debuted a referral program. That will see the government involve the casinos in responding to inquiries from cultural and sports interests. If an organizer or entity reaches out to the Macau government to consider hosting a cultural or sports event, the Cultural and Sports bureaus will extend the inquiry to the casinos to gauge their interest in partnering with the event.

To promote the development of Macau’s moderate economic diversification and to actively encourage integrated resort and leisure enterprises to support the development of Macau’s cultural and sporting industries, the government will establish a referral mechanism for cultural and sporting projects with immediate effect,” a statement from the bureaus explained.

Macau government officials said sports leagues, teams, and cultural organizations are invited to submit project proposals. The relevant bureau will review the matter before determining whether it’s a candidate for consideration before the casinos.

“The SAR government hopes that the new referral mechanism will provide more opportunities for the sectors to get in touch with various social resources,” the government statement added.

Sports Town

Macau and sports don’t exactly go hand-in-hand. But the Chinese region does have some iconic annual events. Macau’s sports world is highlighted by its annual Macau Grand Prix and Dragon Boat Festival.

The Macau Grand Prix is a motorsport road race with the distinction of being the only street circuit in the world in which race cars and motorcycles participate. The Dragon Boat races are held in the Pearl River Delta and feature teams consisting of 20 paddlers, a steerer, and a caller racing against other boats.

SJM is the oldest gaming operator in Macau, and owns and operates such resorts as Grand Lisboa downtown, Hotel Lisboa, and Grand Lisboa Palace on the Cotai Strip. The SJM Macau Open is part of the Asian Tour and will feature a $1 million purse.

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The Nevada State Education Association (NSEA), which argues that public funds should instead be used to support local education, filed the paperwork with Nevada��s Secretary of State on Wednesday to form a political action committee (PAC) called Schools Over Stadiums.

��We are considering every path to prevent public funds from being used to subsidize a billionaire��s stadium,�� NSEA spokesman Alexander Marks told the L.A. Times on Thursday.

Those paths include litigation and/or a ballot measure.

��Our priorities are misguided,�� Marks told the Times.

According to a 2023 survey of public education looking at student success, student safety, and school quality, the website scholaroo.com ranked Nevada 48th of 50 US states, ahead of only Louisiana and Arizona.

Putting Their Rally Caps On

While beating the Oakland A’s hasn��t been very difficult this season — they��re dead last in their division at 21 wins and 61 losses — defeating the team��s plans to open a Las Vegas stadium by 2028 is more of a long shot.

Earlier this month, the Nevada Legislature approved, and Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) signed into law, SB1. The bill will provide $380 million in public funds toward the $1.5 billion the A��s and owner John Fisher estimate their new stadium will cost. Major League Baseball owners are expected to approve the A��s move from Oakland, the league’s first relocation since 2005, which had been considered the final step in the process.

Also working in the new PAC��s favor is the stadium construction��s proposed timeline. The stadium would be situated on the site of the Tropicana Las Vegas, which would first need to be imploded.? Considering that this process won��t start for at least two years, NSEA has some time to gather support for its cause.

In order to get a bill on the ballot, Schools Over Stadiums will need to collect nearly 150K signatures, with 35K valid signatures required from each of four petition districts.

What the A��s would do if the PAC succeeded in unwinding the stadium��s public funding is unclear. During testimony before the Nevada Legislature, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President Steve Hill said he believed the A��s would move to another city if they didn��t get public funding, probably from Portland or Salt Lake City.

Staying in Oakland is considered highly unlikely.

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It would have been more enticing if he was headed to a larger market. But the league is desperate for a new young superstar, and for a No. 1 pick to finally reach his full potential.

Since 2016, it’s been something of a curse to be the first selection.

Williamson��s spate of injuries and reported tawdry womanizing, and Morant��s spate of gun-waving incidents damaged the NBA��s image.

NBA Looking for a New Franchise Icon

With LeBron James perhaps on the verge of retirement after next season, and the recent Hall-of-Fame trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden souring fans with their prima donna acts, the NBA needs hope.

That is when the French unicorn, the 7-foot-4 center Wembanyama, will be selected by the San Antonio Spurs as the No. 1 pick. The NBA��s top newsbreaker, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, called him, ��The greatest prospect in the history of team sports.��

Nobody stateside has really seen his game, as he’s been playing for Metropolitans 92 of the French League.

But some impartial executives are also expecting greatness if Wembanyama stays healthy. That��s no easy feat at his skyscraper height and with his thin frame (230 pounds).

Why the Frenchman is Special

Wembanyama can do everything on the court �C owning a point guard��s dribbling/passing skills, a shooting guard��s touch, and a small forward��s defensive nimbleness. Oh, and he carries an 8-foot wingspan, serving as a monster shot blocker.

The kid is a generational player,���� an NBA personnel director told Casino.org. ��It��s premature to compare him with anybody but himself. But he has the potential to be great. I��ve never seen a player his size and [with his] skill set, so the world better be ready for The Wemby Show. The hype is real.����

Already, there is a debate on Wembanyama initially deciding not to play in any of the Spurs summer league games in Las Vegas, which has become a significant showcase for the NBA with all 30 franchises and ESPN��s coverage.

In France this week, Wembanyama said to a player in French he may play ��a little bit,���� but that could mean one contest.

It makes sense. The French League season ended Thursday and this is the summer of the World Championships. Training camp for France begins in early August for a tournament that extends into September for the top squads. France nearly won an Olympic gold medal in 2021.

Why the Spurs Might be Good for Him

The Spurs have won five NBA championships since 1999, but San Antonio is still the sixth-smallest television market, and the team is coming off a 22-win season.

However, the Spurs likely will find themselves on national TV a ton, just like the New Orleans Pelicans did in Williamson��s rookie year. That didn��t turn out well because Williamson��s injuries limited him to 24 games.

There is no such thing as a big market these days,” the personnel director said. “(San Antonio) is actually good for him. He needs that environment to develop.����

In Monday��s conference-call interview, ESPN��s draft analyst Jay Bilas said the Spurs have the right coach to develop the 19-year-old.

��Any great talent is going to adjust really well to Gregg Popovich,���� Bilas said. ��He’s one of the best coaches that’s ever lived, so that won’t be an issue. Wembanyama is unique. I’ve never seen anything quite like him on a basketball floor. At 7-4 and [with] that crazy wingspan, with fluidity, athleticism, mobility, I just can’t fathom a combination quite like that on a basketball floor. I think it’s a no-brainer that Wembanyama is going to be great.”

Recent First-Overall Pick Failing

Recent No. 1 picks haven��t proved groundbreaking. Markelle Fulz and Ben Simmons, 2016 and 2017’s No. 1 picks respectively, have endured mental and physical issues, and cling to relevancy.

Suns center DeAndre Ayton, 2018��s first pick, has fallen out of favor in Phoenix. Selected first in 2020, Anthony Edwards became an All-Star last season, but plays in Minnesota and hasn��t lifted his team to prominence like franchise players do.

The top pick in 2021, Detroit��s Cade Cunningham, missed most of last season with an injury, becoming a league afterthought playing for one of the NBA��s most wretched teams.

Last year��s No. 1 pick, Paolo Banchero, was the 2023 Rookie of the Year and is a nice player out of Duke. But he toils in a basketball wasteland in Orlando, and doesn��t appear to be a generational talent.

Betting Odds

There’s almost no action on betting the No. 1. At Betonline.org, you need to put down $20K to win $100.

The second and third picks are receiving activity, with two heavy favorites: guard Scoot Henderson, who played in the G League instead of college, and Brandon Miller, a 6-9 power forward from Alabama.

Henderson is the 10-13 favorite to go 2; Miller is even money. It’s 33-1 to bet the “other.”

There are more choices at 3: After Henderson at 5-7 and Miller at 6-5, it goes:

Amen Thompson 14/1? ? ?+1400

Cam Whitmore? ? 16/ 1? ? + 1600

Asuar Thompson 40/1? ? +4000

Jarace Walker? ? ? 50/1

Both Henderson and Miller have question marks attached. Henderson is an elite driver, but still doesn��t possess a reliable jumper. Miller had a strong season, but critics say his numbers took a big drop against top 50 teams.

Nobody is questioning Wembanyama��s upside, which includes his extraordinary switching defense. But then again, no one was once concerned about Williamson and Morant, either.

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“Dozens of ladies, myself included, are ready and waiting at the Chicken Ranch to treat the Knights to any and every carnal delight, and there will be absolutely no penalties for misconduct,” licensed sex worker Alice Little told TMZ Sports.

“The brothel is all yours boys!�� Little said. ��Free of charge! It��s on me!”

Want to Puck?

In just their sixth NHL season, the Golden Knights won the league��s championship Tuesday night, scoring a 4-1 series victory over the Cinderella Florida Panthers.

��We here in Sin City love the Golden Knights more than life itself,” Little said. “I cannot express in words the joy I feel now the team won their first-ever Stanley Cup, so I��m going to express it through my actions.��

It isn’t known whether the quarterback ever took them up on the offer. In fact, it is never known whether anyone takes up such offers. Customer privacy is closely guarded at Nevada��s brothels, except, of course, when certain LA Lakers stars overdose on cocaine and nearly die at one, leading police to investigate.

Cities of Brothelly Love

Currently, 20 legal brothels operate in the 10 Nevada counties that allow them, according to the Nevada Brothel List site. That��s down from a peak of 35 brothels in the early ’80s.

In addition to the Chicken Ranch, Sheri��s Ranch is also located an hour��s drive from the Strip in Nye County. Nye��s only other currently operating legal brothel, the Alien Cathouse, is 90 minutes northwest in Amargosa Valley.

The sex workers at Nevada��s legal brothels operate like independent contractors renting out space at hair salons or day spas. They pay licensing fees to the state and their own taxes on their income. Sex workers also pay for their own weekly STD tests and sex worker registration cards, which vary in price by county.

They get to negotiate their own prices with clients (usually somewhere between $100-$1,000 per ��menu�� item). And they are expected to kick half back to the brothel to cover rent, food, utilities, and other operating costs.

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As soon as Monday night in Denver, Jackson will complete in his 14^th?NBA Finals with sidekicks Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy.

Last month, Jackson interviewed for the Milwaukee Bucks job, falling short again with Toronto assistant, Adrian Griffin, getting hired.

Here��s a wild stat courtesy of the Elias Sports Bureau.

Since Jackson got fired by the Warriors in May 2014, 84 different coaches have been hired for vacancies, including interims. If you count Jacques Vaughn’s two stints, The Knicks and Nets have had six head coaches in that span.

Whatever Jackson is doing to make his resume more impressive, it isn��t working.

Jackson��s three-year Warriors stint ended badly with many petty and legitimate accusations.

Reports were that Jackson was too stubborn, didn��t say hello in the hallway to the owner��s son, mismanaged a dysfunctional assistant-coaching staff, and, most damaging, impressed his religious beliefs on Golden State players. One NBA coaching source told me that Jackson came across as ��too argumentative���� in Oakland this week.

Bad Rep

One NBA GM who thinks Jackson deserves another chance suggested the NBA��s fourth-leading assists leader return to the league next season as an associate head coach, imploring either Memphis or New Orleans to make a pitch.

The 58-year-old Jackson was regarded as one of the NBA��s most cerebral point guards and always found himself on the list of active players most likely to become the head coach.

His critics say Jackson��s unwillingness to be anything less than a head coach hasn’t served the Queens native well.

He needs to be open to be an associate head coach,���� the GM said. ��If he was on the bench in Memphis or New Orleans, he��d be perfect for Ja Morant or Zion Willliamson.����

The executive was referring to two troubled young stars who represent the NBA��s future.

��Someone who has that experience would be great for them, to have an example like that,���� the GM added.

Jackson, who weaved a 121-109 record at Golden State, is credited in some circles for getting the Warriors onto a dynasty track under his successor, Steve Kerr, specifically helping point guard Stephen Curry reach superstardom.

But the other ��narrative���� has Jackson, in his view, blackballed.

In a 2021 appearance on ��The Board Room,�� Jackson admitted the distorted rumors out of Oakland still damage him.

“When you make a statement and say I force folks to come to church — are you kidding me? What sense does that make?” Jackson said. “Never in my life have I forced people to go to church.”

Why Didn��t the Knicks Bring Jackson Home

When Jackson interviewed for the Knicks job that went to David Fizdale in 2018, sources told me Jackson wasn��t fully prepared in the interview to discuss what kind of assistant coaching staff he��d assemble.

Considering the fracturing of his Golden State staff, that element was deemed by then-president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry as a dealbreaker. Mills and Perry would have been saluted as heroes in the New York media had they brought Jackson home.

Jackson Passed Over Again

Six more openings were to be had this offseason. The Bucks hired Griffin with no head-coaching experience. The Rockets gave Ime Udoka a second crack despite tawdry issues in Boston.

The Sixers went with Nick Nurse, the Pistons took Monty Williams, and the Suns recycled Frank Vogel, now with his fourth team since Jackson��s 2014 firing. The Toronto Raptors nearly give a second chance to Steve Nash, who flopped with three future Hall of Famers in Brooklyn.

Maybe they like to hire younger now,���� the GM said. ��But people are afraid of Mark. He��s a very opinionated guy. But he��s also a??guy who commands respect and would be good for a young team.��

Another league source says owners are leery of dealing with any controversy with their head coaches in the relentless digital age where the news cycles update by the minute.

Van Gundy: ‘Jackson Should Coach Again’

Van Gundy, who coached Jackson in his second stint with the Knicks, remains perplexed.

In 2020, Knicks president Leon Rose interviewed a dozen candidates but not Jackson, even as ESPN��s Jalen Rose told the New York Post he��d be his top choice. Tom Thibodeau nailed down the job.

I asked Van Gundy on an NBA Finals conference call a couple of years ago about Jackson��s continued snubbing.

What I saw in Golden State was truly a remarkable job of reconstructing a fragile confidence,�� Van Gundy said. ��Because over the years of a lot of losing, the demands defensive previously had not been asked of those past players. If he wants to do it again, in today��s game, I don��t see another guy who is better equipped than him of taking players who may not have achieved yet, but have hopes of becoming a winning player.

��If I was the GM right now, I would be really smart if I hired Mark,���� Van Gundy added.

The Van Gundy, Jackson, Breen trifecta still makes for a wildly entertaining broadcast trio. Jackson��s catchphrases ��Hand down, man down���� and ��Mama, there goes that man!�� never get old.

But it’s time for Jackson to leave the broadcasting booth for a coaching seat, perhaps on the same bench as Morant or Williamson. The NBA might be better served.

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Before the Nuggets’ burly center, Nikola Jokic, emerged in his “15” jersey to become arguably the league��s best player, odd were if Anthony were to see his “15” jersey rise to the rafters, it would be the Nuggets doing the honors.

Not so anymore, with Jokic now laying claim to 15, and finally landing on the massive national stage of the NBA Finals, displaying his all-court greatness on ABC.

If Anthony gets feted, the Knicks are likelier to play hosts.

The always-polarizing Anthony officially retired on May 23. ?A league source told me the Knicks have discussed the matter internally, despite longtime strict requirements for such a distinguished achievement.

That it��s been talked about is unsurprising, since the Knicks president is now Leon Rose, and the second-in-command is William Wesley. Rose and Wesley were Anthony��s CAA agents when they forced the Nuggets to trade him to the Knicks during the 2010-11 season. SNY-TV also reported a groundswell of support to hang Anthony��s jersey in Madison Square Garden��s revered rafters.

Where Did Anthony Shine Brighter?

Anthony wore 15 in Denver, but had to change to 7 when he became a Knick. The franchise had already twice retired 15 after it was worn by Earl Monroe and by point-guard pioneer Dick McGuire.

Carmelo did his time in Denver, but he had a truer impact on New York,���� one NBA personnel director said. ��Maybe didn��t win as much, but if any of the two teams retire his jersey, the Knicks are first.��

With Jokic three victories away from Denver��s first NBA title in its first Finals appearance, it��s become problematic for Anthony and Jokic to celebrate a special night together.

Anthony enjoyed a longer and more successful tenure in Denver than in New York.

Anthony, who didn��t attend either of the first two Finals games in Denver��s history at Ball Arena, played 10.5 seasons in Denver (2003-2011), making the playoffs every season, but only once reaching the Western Conference finals.

He forced his controversial trade to the Knicks during the 2010-11 campaign. Raised in Brooklyn, Anthony wanted to play for the Knicks when it was no longer chic to be part of owner James Dolan��s dysfunctional gang.

��Carmelo Anthony is a champion of New York just by wanting to come here when a lot of people were afraid,���� the league executive said. ��Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving did not want to deal with New York media and scrutiny of being in New York as a Knick.����

Melo’s Knicks Bust

In seven Knicks seasons, Anthony never led the Knicks out of the second round. Anthony��s Knicks failed to make the playoffs during his final four seasons there.

Anthony��s tenure was a mixed bag, and I covered almost every one of his games live as a Knicks beat writer for the New York Post. Anthony��s clutch shooting percentage (shots in the final five minutes of a 5-point game) was substandard. He lost his Denver tag as the game��s best closer.

Anthony did set the Knicks/Garden scoring record with a 62-point night vs. Charlotte in 2014, but that��s the issue. It was more about points than playoffs and leadership. Anthony, too, forced a trade out of New York in 2017.

Why Aren’t More Knicks Numbers Retired?

The unofficial Knicks policy is that only champions have their numbers raised to the rafters, save for Patrick Ewing (33), the greatest Knick of all-time, and McGuire.

Others who had their numbers raised were part of the 1970 and 1973 championship teams: Walt Frazier (10), Willis Reed (19), Dave DeBusschere (22), Bill Bradley (24), and Dick Barnett (12).

Carmelo proved to be one of the most devastating offensive weapons in Knicks history but the honor of having a jersey number retired has traditionally been reserved for NBA champions, tremendous longevity, and the absolute elite,���� former longtime Knicks Publicity Director Jonathan Supranowitz said.

Bernard King (30) and 1950��s/60��s star Richie Guerin (9) long campaigned to have their Knicks jerseys retired, as both are in the Hall of Fame.

Anthony, who won an NCAA title with Syracuse, is certain to be named to the Hall of Fame, too, when eligible in two years, as he��s ranked ninth in points. That might be where the honors stop.

But the varying opinions on Anthony will never stop.

Earlier this week, knick-killer Reggie Miller was a guest on the “Dan Patrick Show” on FoxSports radio. Miller said Anthony��s number should be retired in New York, to which Patrick scoffed: ��You had more impact on the Knicks than Carmelo did.����

And then there��s this rosy perspective.

��If he waited as a free agent, the Knicks would��ve won the championship,�� the NBA executive said. ��They gave up a lot to get him. He was the lone soldier. He came here and carried them. But he needed help.����

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October��s final race meet will include STC��s famous Grand Singapore Gold Cup on its centennial anniversary.

A joint statement by Singapore��s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of National Development said Monday that the government continually reviews its land-use plans to ��meet today��s needs while ensuring there is sufficient land for future generations.��

The bad news was delivered to racing industry stakeholders by STC president and CEO Irene Lim at a meeting at Kranji on Monday.

The STC was founded by Scottish merchant William Henry Mcleod Read in 1842 when Singapore was an important trading post under British rule. It has organized racing continually since then, bar a five-year hiatus during the Japanese occupation during World War II.

The nearest live racetrack to Singapore is the Selangor Turf Club in Kuala Lumpur, about 200 miles away.

��Smooth Exit��

The government has pledged to work to support industry stakeholders in the lead-up to the closure, including the STC and the Tote Board, which handles the club��s betting revenue. STC employees will receive retrenchment packages, while racehorse trainers and owners will receive support for horse maintenance and exportation.

��We are saddened by the decision of the government to close the Club. At the same time, we understand the land needs of Singapore, including housing and other potential uses such as leisure and recreation,�� STC Chairman Mr Niam Chiang Meng said in a statement.

We will do our best to ensure business as usual for the Club until our final race meeting. Concurrently, we will work with our stakeholders to ensure a smooth exit for local horse racing and make the necessary preparations for the estate to be handed over to the government by March 2027,�� he added.

As the sole custodian of horse racing in Singapore, the STC has strived to improve the popularity of the sport amid the dwindling in-person attendance at the racetrack that ultimately contributed to the decision.

Churchill Downer

The decline in the popularity of live racing is a global phenomenon. Where once, in many jurisdictions across the world, it was the only form of gambling entertainment available, it has now largely been replaced by alternative betting opportunities, from casinos to lotteries, as is the case in Singapore.

It��s also viewed with outright hostility by animal rights groups. One of the most famous racetracks in the US, Churchill Downs, announced on Friday it will halt its spring meet following the death of a dozen horses in the past month alone.

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Last week, Toney, 26, was banned from professional soccer for eight months after admitting to 232 breaches of FA betting rules, a penalty that many viewed as harsh. However, the charges were not previously thought to have related to games in which the player was personally involved.

In fact, Toney might consider himself lucky. Under FA rules, betting on your own games can result in a life ban from soccer.

No Match-Fixing

The commission found that Toney placed 26 bets that related to the club he was registered with at the time. This included 13 occasions when he backed his own team to lose, although he was not directly involved in these matches.

Of the matches he did play in, he always backed his team to win (16 occasions). On 15 occasions, he also bet on himself to score at a time when it was not public knowledge that he would be playing in a game, which constituted insider betting. However, the commission found no evidence of match-fixing.

There is no evidence that Mr Toney did or was even in a position to influence his own team to lose when he placed bets against them winning — he was not in the squad or eligible to play at the time,” it concluded.

But the commission found that Toney lied about the extent of his betting and used third parties to gamble on his behalf, according to the commission.

However, it reduced his sanction from 14 to 11 months. That��s because Toney has been diagnosed with a gambling problem and had sought professional help.

Brentford Backing Toney

Brentford said it would “do everything possible” to support Toney with his addiction. The team��s manager, Thomas Frank, said in a statement that soccer��s financial relationship with gambling needs to be reviewed. Frank also criticized the decision to ban Toney from training with the squad until September.

“We got a massive reminder [on gambling],�� he said. ��Do we do enough to educate our players? The authorities have a massive task to make sure we do this much better.

“If I can’t speak to him, I guess they will have to ban me as well. If I am not allowed to support him there must be something wrong,” Frank added.

The EPL has voted to ban gambling logos on the front of jerseys from the end of the 2025/26 season. Gambling advertising will still be prevalent elsewhere, including on stadium hoardings.

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Financial terms of the agreement weren��t disclosed. New Hampshire-based Binnie describes itself as ��New England��s largest locally owned media company�� and claims to reach 1.5 million people per week, including 580K in that region. The new VSiN Radio 106.3-FM will feature 24/7 sports and wagering programming. VSiN��s Brent Musburger��s action updates will also air twice daily, Monday through Friday, on eight other sister stations �C six FM and two AM.

This addition of a 24/7 VSiN affiliate in the New England area builds on VSiN��s momentum in expanding its distribution footprint. Including both long form and Action Updates, VSiN programming is now available on more than 300 stations in 46 states around the country, reaching nearly 90% of the US radio market,�� according to a statement issued by Las Vegas-based VSiN.

With recent legalizations in Maine and Vermont, all six New England states permit sports wagering.

Why New Hampshire Makes Sense for VSiN

While it��s home to just 1.38 million residents, New Hampshire is a practical addition to VSiN��s state-level roster for multiple reasons.

First, as noted above, the media company is owned by DraftKings via a March 2021 acquisition. DraftKings has a monopoly of sorts in New Hampshire��s sports wagering market — one fortified by the fact the operator is a New England-based company.

��Sports betting is quickly becoming part of the daily conversation. As we evaluated the options in this space, we landed on VSiN,�� said Binnie Media Vice President of Programming Heath Cole in the statement.

DraftKings could also wring benefits from the VSiN/Binnie accord as Maine and Vermont move toward their respective launches of mobile sports betting. Binnie owns nine radio stations in New Hampshire and five in Maine, according to its website.

Other Benefits for DraftKings

It��s possible that through the VSiN New Hampshire radio agreement, the sports media entity will enhance its appeal to advertisers, potentially boosting its haul of related dollars in the process.

That would be a significant benefit to parent company DraftKings as it looks to diversify its revenue stream and reduce dependence on sports betting in its efforts to become profitable.

If nothing else, the New Hampshire pact confirms VSiN is growing and appealing to audiences across the US. That��s pertinent to DraftKings�� budding media empire, which includes VSiN, Meadowlark Media, an agreement with ESPN, and more.

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The charges relate to an incident that occurred outside the Park MGM Hotel in Las Vegas in January, according to a LVMPD arrest report.

Arnette is seen on the casino��s security video racking the slide of his gun at an employee, according to the report.

Charges Revived

The argument arose because the allegedly intoxicated Arnette had lost his valet ticket, and the employee refused to fetch his Mercedes G Wagon without identification, according to the LVMPD.

At the time, Arnette denied these allegations through his lawyer, Ross Goodman. Prosecutors dropped the case in July 2022, citing lack of evidence. It is not clear whether new evidence has since come to light.

The troubled star athlete was arrested for drug possession in Miami Beach, Fla. on the day the charges in Nevada were dropped.

Valet Grudge

Arnette was a first-round draft pick for the Raiders in 2020. He played a total of 13 games before he was dropped by the team when a viral TikTok video emerged of him. In that, he appeared to threaten to kill an unseen person while wielding three firearms.

He was released by his subsequent employer, the Kansas City Chiefs, in response to the Park MGM incident.

The former NFL hopeful seems to have a thing about valets. In June 2021 at the Aria Resort, ��he spit, poked, and verbally abused�� one at the Aria Resort & Casino, again because he had lost his ticket and refused to show ID. That��s according to a civil lawsuit brought by the valet, Sonny Flores.

Arnette��s lawyer has denied these allegations and counter-sued, calling the lawsuit ��frivolous�� and designed purely to extract money from his client.

Rugs III Crash

Arnette is also being sued for his alleged involvement in an October 2020 hit-and-run crash in Henderson, Nev., close to the Raiders�� training ground. The plaintiff claims she was injured in the crash.

The 2020 NFL Draft proved to be inauspicious for the Raiders. It also included Henry Ruggs III, who earlier this month pleaded guilty to DUI resulting in death and vehicular manslaughter.

He will be imprisoned for between three and ten years when sentenced in August for causing the death of Tina Tintor. That happened when he crashed his Corvette into her Toyota at 127 mph on November 2, 2021.

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The New York City Football Club (NYCFC), a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise, plans to open a new stadium in Willets Point near Citi Field. That��s part of a broader redevelopment plan for the area. Reportedly, there��s a deal on the table between the Mets and the soccer team to allow the latter��s fans to access the Citi Field parking lot for NYCFC games. Cohen is said to be dragging his feet on inking that accord.

The soccer stadium is scheduled to be ready in time for World Cup games in 2026. North America hosts the world��s marquee soccer event that year, and New York is one of several host cities. So there��s time for the Mets and NYCFC to agree. It��s a matter of Cohen coming around on the idea.

Cohen Not a Fan of MLS Stadium

Cohen is an ardent supporter of bringing a gaming venue to the Citi Field area. But he��s opposed to the MLS stadium plan.

An article by The City notes that the MLS stadium isn��t required to have minimum parking, and there could be alternatives for such space, should Cohen extend his opposition.

At a walk-through of the Willets Point site last week, Andrew Kimball, president of the city��s Economic Development Corporation, acknowledged there must be coordination between the Mets and NYCFC on the parking issue.

MLS Stadium Supported, Queens Casino Not so Much

A recent study commissioned by Cohen and community group Queens Future indicates Citi Field-area business owners and residents overwhelmingly support the casino plan. But that��s on the basis of the project containing green space and parks and support for local businesses.

At the moment, backing for the Queens’ casino plan among New York City council members is harder to come by, with none overtly saying they��re for or against the project.

Conversely, there��s broad support for the Willets Point revitalization effort, because that plan includes the MLS stadium and substantial job creation, 2,500 affordable housing units, and a new public school — all issues politicians from both parties can get behind.

Another matter to consider is Queens�� appetite for a second casino. Resorts World New York is widely expected to land one of the three downstate permits New York regulators will eventually award, and that could work against a second gaming project in the borough.

The post Mets Owner Steve Cohen Leveraging Citi Field Parking Lot in Queens Casino Quest appeared first on Casino.org.

That��s the sentiment of Endeavor Group (NYSE: EDR) COO Mark Shapiro, who in a recent interview on ��Sports Media with Richard Deitsch,�� said it��s unlikely the predetermined outcomes in WWE tilts will ever be conducive to live betting.

It is about props, it is about parlays, it is about in-game betting, which lends itself so well to sports like the UFC, but I don’t think WWE �� because it’s scripted �� that’s ever going to be a growth strategy for them,�� said Shapiro in the interview. ��Yes, you can get some betting on who’s going to win before the match, but in-game is gonna be very hard to do.��

Last month, Endeavor offered $9.3 billion for World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE). The plan is to combine the dominant wrestling association with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), creating a company to be known as TKO Group Holdings. Endeavor is the parent of UFC.

WWE Wants to Make Betting Inroads

Whether it��s with or without in-match wagering, WWE wants to get in on the booming US sports wagering market. How regulators feel about that is a different matter.

Despite the initial resistance, Endeavor is expected to continue pushing for WWE to become part of the sports wagering menu in some states. The sports entertainment provider is attempting to leverage the point that some states permit betting on the Academy Awards, the results of which are audited and determined prior to airing on television.

Only New Jersey allows betting on the Oscars, and other states have been reluctant to add awards shows to their list of sports betting options.

In-Game Betting Popular

In-game or live wagering is highly popular in mature sports wagering markets, such as Australia and Europe, and it��s something domestic operators are looking to capitalize on. Some industry observers view in-game wagering as an avenue for boosting the profiles of less-popular sports, potentially elevating handle for those sports relative to football and basketball, �C the most bet-on sports in the US.

Technology issues abound regarding live betting. Sportsbooks have live feeds from sporting events, and those feeds are faster than the traditional on-air broadcasts bettors see on streaming platforms or linear television.

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The news comes as McAfee is in the middle of the second of a four-year, $120 million contract struck with FanDuel in December 2021. When that deal was reached, it was considered seismic by sports media industry standards. It further highlighted the intersection of media and sports wagering, though the ��Pat McAfee Show�� is wide-ranging and addresses much more than betting.

FanDuel, the largest online sportsbook in the US, is 95% owned by Dublin-based Flutter Entertainment (OTC: PDYPY). Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD) owns the rest.

McAfee Could Spur Temporary Bad PR for Disney

While Disney didn��t reveal the financial details of McAfee��s move to ESPN, the entertainment is likely paying him more than he was making with FanDuel.

Conversely, McAfee could be worth a temporary PR sting for Disney because he has a devoted following among the younger demographics media companies and advertisers covet.

Additionally, while the ��Pat McAfee Show�� isn��t dedicated to wagering content, it has enough of it to potentially elevate ESPN��s sports betting footprint — something that��s long been rumored to be in the works. The former Indianapolis Colt had an existing relationship with the sports network, as he appeared on ��College GameDay�� and alternative broadcasts of select college football games.

For McAfee, ESPN Moves Makes Sense

In addition to a likely raise, the move to ESPN is sensible for McAfee because he owns the company that produces the show. That means a lot of time-consuming behind-the-scenes work will fall off his schedule with the move to Disney.

It��s also expected that the show��s current cast, which includes McAfee friends and former Green Bay Packer Pro Bowl linebacker A.J. Hawk, will transition to ESPN with their boss.

Following an eight-year NFL career in which he made two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team, McAfee has been a rising force in the next generation of sports media, leveraging internet and social media avenues to boost his profile. He got his start in the arena with David Portnoy��s Barstool Sports, which today is now a unit of regional casino operator Penn Entertainment.

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The pact was reached in conjunction with Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI), which owns Tropicana��s property assets.

Regional casino operator Bally��s paid $148 million last September to acquire Tropicana��s building and the operating license from the real estate investment trust (REIT). Should the A��s remain committed to that site, it could mean the clock is ticking on Tropicana, a once iconic casino hotel that opened in 1957 and was previously known as the ��Tiffany of the Strip.��

Bally’s intends to continue the operations of the Tropicana Las Vegas for the foreseeable future while evaluating all available options for a broader redevelopment of the remainder of the site that will be adjacent to the new ballpark,�� according to a statement.

Gaming and Leisure Properties agreed to fund up to $175 million worth of property improvements in exchange for a rent increase.

How Binding is Bally��s, A��s Agreement?

The pact between Bally��s and the A��s is called ��binding�� in the statement. But Las Vegas locals are right to be skeptical of such language.

The scrapped agreement with Red Rock isn��t referenced in the press release. Assuming the agreement with Bally��s and GLPI remains in place, the first MLB stadium in Las Vegas will be situated at Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue and accommodate about 30K fans.

The ��agreement is subject to passing legislation for public financing and related agreements, and approval of relocation by Major League Baseball. As part of the agreement, Bally’s retains the ability to assign the rights to all aspects of this development and has received material interest from development partners,�� according to the statement.

Tropicana Shelf Life

It appears all but certain that if the A��s remain committed to the Tropicana site, the casino hotel��s days are numbered. In the statement, Bally��s President George Papanier used the phrase ��ballpark built in its place,�� implying the gaming venue will be demolished to make way for the stadium.

A time frame for that happening wasn��t revealed. The A��s lease in Oakland expires in 2024, and it��s expected the club will play two seasons at a minor league stadium in Summerlin, Nevada, before moving to an MLB-ready venue in 2027.

Tropicana is the only Strip venue operated by Bally��s and is the only Las Vegas gaming real estate owned by GLPI.

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