Top Ath<span id="more-10748"></span>letes Three Times Considerably Probably to be Problem Gamblers, Study Discovers

Stoke City player Matthew Etherington, who says their addiction to gambling made him socially withdrawn. a study that is new athletes may be more prone to be issue gamblers.

Problem gamblers are more represented among top level athletes in the UK, a fact which may be a hidden epidemic of alarming proportions. That’s according to a new study that’s predicated on confidential interviews with 350 Uk soccer players and cricketers.

The research, which was carried out by social research experts NatGen on behalf of the Professional Players Federation, the umbrella body for players’ unions, spoke to 170 expert footballers through the English Premier League down and 176 professional cricketers, from international level down, and found that the frequency of problem gamblers on the list of group ended up being slightly over three times more than that of young in the population that is general.

Of the sample that is total, 6.1 percent were deemed to be problem gamblers, while a further 12 per cent were regarded as being ‘at risk.’ Then, when the information is extrapolated, the study shows that around 200 pro soccer players and cricketers have serious problems, and 440 in addition to that are ‘at risk of gambling problems and [have] patterns of not seeking help. if the sample size is truly representative of all top level athletes,’

Nature or Nurture?

‘This research shows there exists a dramatically higher level of gambling problems among professional sports individuals than the wider population,’ said analysis Director at NatCen Heather Wardle. ‘It is interesting to question why this might be. Can it be due to a betting culture? Is it something about athletes’ characters or perhaps a mix of both of these?’

It is definitely a question sports governing figures ought to be asking themselves, particularly as it is believed that players with gambling dilemmas are more susceptible to approaches that are match-fixing.

The English Football Association (FA) announced that from the 2014/15 season all players in English soccer would be banned from betting, not just on tournaments by which their team is involved, as ended up being previously the case, but from all football matches all over the world. Last spurs and England winger Andros Townsend and Norwich striker Cameron Jerome were both fined by the FA for breaching its gambling regulations year.

Duty of Care

‘There is an urgent need certainly to break the stigma down mounted on problem gambling in sport. Sportsmen are a definite ‘at danger’ group while the whole of professional sport includes a responsibility of care to these teenage boys,’ says Brendon Batson, chairman of the Professional Players’ Federation. ‘We all have to interact to expand and enhance the practice that is good exists on education and treatment plan for problem gambling.’

Different EPL soccer players have come clean in the past about their betting habits, including Newcastle forward Michael Chopra, who has admitted to blowing millions on gambling and was also charged with race manipulations by the British Horseracing Authority. Stoke’s Matthew Etherington meanwhile confessed to losing £1.5 million on greyhounds, horses and poker, and said his gambling addiction made him socially withdrawn.

‘There are several issues here,’ claims General Secretary of the PFF Simon Taylor. ‘There is a duty of care to the players. In addition want players playing well so that you need to check after them. You need effective education, and treatment in destination for those who need it and may request help … Sport needs to look at the tradition it really is establishing around young players.’

Paul Phua Pleads Not Guilty in Las Vegas Sports Betting Case, Feds Want $13M

Paul Phua and his son Darren will plead simple to costs which they helped run an unlawful sports ring that is betting of a Caesars Place villa in Las vegas, nevada. (Image: AP)

Paul Phua and their son Darren want to enter not accountable pleas this week, they helped operate an illegal sports betting ring out of a Caesars Palace villa in Las Vegas during this year’s World Cup event as they vow to continue fighting charges that claim.

The two males were alone among the eight defendants that are initial the situation. Five other people have decided to plead guilty as well as the eighth defendant has had his case dismissed.

‘We are not accountable as we constantly maintained,’ said David Chesnoff, the attorney representing both Phuas. ‘It is our intention to fight the unconstitutional conduct of the government that is federal our clients and for the public.’

Phuas Will Challenge Proof, FBI Procedure

The Phuas’ protection may rest more heavily on just how proof was gathered and used, instead than on claims that they certainly weren’t involved in the sports ring that is betting se.

In July, FBI agents worked with casino and a websites provider to cut the Internet connection off to the villa suspected of hosting the gambling ring. That caused the defendants to call for tech support, after which agents pretended become service personnel so as to enter the property and simply take video.

That video was then used as evidence to obtain a warrant for a later raid, which led to your arrest of the defendants. Protection lawyers maintain that manipulating the situation by cutting off Internet access was a breach of their consumers’ Fourth Amendment rights against illegal search and seizure.

In newer filings, lawyers have said that the government claimed that Paul Phua and other defendant Richard Yong were members of the 14K Triad, one worldwide’s largest criminal businesses, without much actual proof to straight back that claim up. But what ‘flimsy’ evidence they did have was used to simply help convince a federal judge to allow the raid that led to their arrest.

Officials also allege that the Macau casino junket that was used to help settle bets with some customers is connected with Cheung Chi-Tai, a man that is reportedly a leader of the Wo Hop To Triad located in Hong Kong.

Five Agree to Plea Deals, One Offers Charges Dropped

As the Phuas have actually outlined their defense, five other defendants have decided to end their cases after negotiating plea agreements. Richard Yong, Yan Zhang, Yung Keung Fan, and Herman Chun Sang Yeung struck deals that will allow them to plead responsible to misdemeanors before US District Judge Andrew Gordon later on this week.

Hui Tang will plead guilty to also a felony gambling charge.

All five are anticipated to be sentenced this week, with probation being the many sentence that is likely. That would make it possible for them to go back to their homes, most of which have been in Southeast Asia. The final defendant, Wai Kin Yong (son of Richard Yong) has had all charges against him dismissed.

It is likely that the resolution of this case will also involve the forfeiture of significant assets by the defendants. Federal prosecutors say they wish to recover as much as $13 million from the seven defendants that are remaining. That could include more than $650,000 in casino and cash potato chips along with cell phones, iPads and computers, all of that was seized throughout the raid on the villas.

Trump Taj Mahal Delays Closing Date to Late December

The Trump Taj Mahal may still shut, but the date for that shut down has been pressed back until at least 20 december. (Image: Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger)

The Trump Taj Mahal still plans to close in ladbrokes mobile casino no deposit bonus December, nevertheless the day that is final of has been pushed right back by eight times to December 20. That delay comes as moms and dad company Trump Entertainment Resorts continues to negotiate on several fronts, including with all the continuing state of the latest Jersey, the city of Atlantic City, and the union that represents many of its workers.

As has been the full case for a few weeks now, both Trump Entertainment Resorts and investor Carl Icahn, who could potentially turn the financial obligation he has into control of the casino, say that they would be ready to keep the Trump Taj Mahal open, but only on their terms.

That will consist of having neighborhood 54 regarding the UNITE HERE union drop its appeal of a bankruptcy court ruling that could allow the casino to break their contract with employees. They would also need tax that is significant from the town and state.

‘The Trump Taj Mahal happens to be engaged in a ditch that is last to obtain extra financial the help of Atlantic City and/or the State of New Jersey,’ said Senior Vice President for Marketing Operations Kathleen McSweeney in a statement. ‘We stay hopeful that an agreement can be reached enabling the Trump Taj Mahal to remain open.’

Operations Winding Down Despite Delay

Still, there are signs that the Taj Mahal still expects to shut down regarding the date that is new at least for the moment. Early week that is last the resort closed one of its hotel towers and stopped issuing credit to gamblers have been still playing in the casino. McSweeney also said that some workers are now working fewer hours as being a total consequence of operations winding straight down throughout the Taj Mahal.

On the other side, bankruptcy filings from Trump Entertainment Resorts included information that suggested the closing date could yet be revised once more to keep to leave room for all parties to negotiate.

‘The debtors continue to make progress with respect to different efforts that are critical towards the success of these chapter 11 cases and their ability to help keep the Taj open, and so it remains possible that the present proposed closing date for the Taj…will be further extended,’ the business wrote.

Tax Stabilization Bill Could Meet Needs

Perhaps the most source that is likely of could be a tax stabilization plan that is becoming evaluated in the state legislature. That plan was approved Monday by the State Senate budget committee after Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian testified in support of the bill.

‘ I do believe this legislation is planning to save the Taj from closing,’ said Guardian. ‘It’s exactly what the proposed owner that is new been seeking.’

Each of the next two years, and then $120 million for each of the next 13 years, with possible adjustments should gambling revenues change dramatically under the proposed plan, Atlantic City casinos would pay a total of $150 million in lieu of taxes.

This would allow both the casinos to be certain within their income tax expenses, while the city may have more certainty in budgeting for the future. The bill would additionally redirect some funds to help pay off the town’s debts, and would guarantee at least a minimum degree of wellness advantages for Atlantic City casino workers.