Unfortunately, not all convicts take their sentences lightly. Deobra Delone Redden, 30, certainly didn’t, instead opting to assault the judge who denied him bail.

Redden was being sentenced for an earlier assault attempt where he assaulted another person with a baseball bat. He pled guilty to having caused substantial injuries in that case in November.

During the recent sentencing in Las Vegas, Redden said that he didn’t believe his crime was serious enough to warrant a prison sentence. However, he acknowledged that the judge has the final say in that matter.

Redden quickly contradicted himself as when Clark County District Judge Mary Kay Holthus handed him a prison sentence without probation, he exploded. Shouting “Oh, fuck that bitch,” Redden charged the judge and leaped across her desk.

The judge tried to move out of the way but was too slow and was taken down by the violent attacker. She was punched several times while on the ground. Other people in the courtroom, including a marshal and a law clerk, tried to help Holthus. Unfortunately, the marshal ended up with a wound on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder and had to be hospitalized.

Holthus was also injured although her injuries did not require immediate treatment.

There Will Be Consequences, Attorneys Say

The matter was later addressed by the Las Vegas District Court. Representatives praised everyone who rushed in to help Holthus and participated in the apprehension of the defendant. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, meanwhile, condemned the violent behavior and noted that it will surely have consequences.

Speaking of consequences, Redden was transported to the Clark County Detention Center and slammed with two new charges because of his attacks. According to local news outlets, the man is now being accused of battery and battery of a protected person.

As it turns out, the alleged baseball bat assault and the attack on Holthus are not Redden’s first violent outbursts. The man previously served a sentence in Nevada after being convicted of domestic battery.

The post Judge Hurt, Marshal Hospitalized after Vegas Defendant’s Violent Attack appeared first on Keno Wizard.

A recent Ohio bill dubbed House Bill 33 proposes some drastic changes to how the state’s sports betting industry should be taxed. Under the measure, sportsbooks will have to pay 20% of their revenue in taxes starting 2024. Needless to say, not everyone is happy.

A Summary of the Events

Currently, sports betting operators need to provide 10% of their revenue to taxes, meaning that the new bill would double the taxation rate. Originally proposed in February this year, the increased tax was signed off on the budget earlier this month.

Prior to that, the House of Representatives tried to promote a version of the 2024-25 budget that did not include the increased tax. However, the State Senate eventually amended the budget and brought the tax increase back.

The problem is that the high taxes may have an adverse effect on the industry, sports betting proponents argue. According to some, high taxes will make the Buckeye State much less appealing to gambling companies.

High Taxes May Alienate Operators

Ohio is the seventh-largest state in terms of population. With a fair tax rate of 10%, it is currently very appealing to wagering companies. Because of that, there are currently 18 sports betting brands offering betting on sports in the state, with another four waiting to launch.

Unfortunately, drastic changes risk alienating companies. While the state would theoretically receive twice the money it gets through taxes, companies may opt to quit Ohio if the conditions aren’t suitable for running a sustainable business.

In addition, critics pointed out that Ohio would become less appealing to new companies entering the state. This means that the Buckeye State would miss out on millions in licensing fees.

Dann Dodd Is Very Pessimistic about the Changes

Former State Rep. Dann Dodd addressed the doubled tax, slamming the state for introducing a measure that may strengthen the “oligopoly” that casinos and racinos have. He pointed out that the original license framework was designed to inhibit the influence of these properties, not bolster them.

In addition, Dodd pessimistically believes that as many as half of the brands currently offering products in Ohio may exit the market within 12-18 months. He also noted that the state will lose money in licensing fees.

Dodd’s words were echoed by Americans for Tax Reform, which scrutinized the efforts to increase taxes in Ohio. The organization lambasted the Buckeye State for its decision to become one of the less welcoming states to sportsbooks.

The organization pointed out that the measure “would take Ohio from having one of the lowest tax rates to the third highest in the US – higher even than Illinois.”

Critics are conclusive that Ohio doesn’t even necessarily need the extra money and that the tax hike is an unnecessary risk that can only hurt the economy.

Despite the criticism and warnings, Ohio predicts that the measure will increase the state revenue.

The post Ohio’s Betting Tax Hike Will Hurt the Industry, Critics Say appeared first on Keno Wizard.