The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced that a dozen people have been arrested for involvement in illegal online gaming operations. According to the Philippine regulator, the operation was carried out on February 16 in Parañaque City.

A total of 12 people were arrested in the operation which was carried out by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), the Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the PAGCOR monitoring team.

Alejandro Tengco, PAGCOR’s chief executive officer and chair, commented on the matter, saying that the authorities searched a den and caught suspects red-handed while operating the illegal gambling platform The Big Bet (tbb888.com). According to Tengco, The Big Bet offered illegal gambling products, such as slot machines, live casino products and esports bets, among others. 

In addition to arresting twelve people, the raiders also seized eleven computer sets, 21 mobile phones, 2 ipads, 5 laptops and multiple flash drives.

PAGCOR Wants to Eliminate Illegal Competition 

According to PAGCOR’s senior vice president for security and monitoring cluster, Raul Villanueva, the seized devices confirmed the group’s involvement in the operation of illegal online gambling. Villanueva also confirmed that cases will be filed against the suspects before the Parañaque Regional Trial Court.

Villanueva further addressed the matter, saying that the operation was a part of the Philippine authorities’ unified efforts to crack down on illegal gambling activities. He said that the regulator vows to continue working together with law enforcement authorities such as the PNP and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency to put a stop to such operations.

We are also working closely with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center under the Department of Information and Communications Technology because we have a lot more targets under surveillance.

Raul Villanueva, senior vice president for security and monitoring cluster, PAGCOR

Villanueva asked the public to stop interacting with and spending money on such illegal platforms and said that, sadly, most of the victims of such illegal sites are Filipino players. He said that consistent monitoring and reporting is needed in order to protect bettors and ensure that revenues from regulated gaming are channeled back to the government.

The SVP concluded that there used to be close to 5,000 illegal online gaming websites operating in the Philippines. Luckily, most of these have already been blocked, he added.

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The recent F1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023 saw the Las Vegas government introduce a variety of tourist and citizen-unfriendly measures. While some were only temporary solutions to protect the racers, some seem to be here to stay.

In November, local lawmakers introduced a measure that would ban pedestrians from stopping on the Vegas Strip’s multiple pedestrian bridges. While no one believed the measure would pass, the Clark County Commission voted in favor of the restriction.

As a result, people who stop on one of the Vegas Strip’s pedestrian bridges for any reason, risk misdemeanor charges, a $1,000 fine and up to six months in prison. This doesn’t only apply to the bridges themselves but to the vicinity of the stairways, escalators and elevators as well.

The original measure applied to all people standing still but thankfully, an amendment fixed the rule so that people waiting for the elevators and escalators do not risk charges.

The argument in favor of the measure is that big events often cause congestion of people that can expose people to the dangers of terrorism and prevent authorities and emergency personnel from accessing and crossing the bridges easily.

The police, for example, have trouble crossing the pedestrian bridges to maintain order during such events, which is why proponents of the measure believe that it is necessary.

However, during most of the year, the measure will prevent water sellers and artists from doing business on the bridges. It would also prevent people from taking photos of the Strip.

Once a reality, the restriction will be communicated to pedestrians via signs at the affected sites.  

The Measure Will Result in Litigation, Opponents Believe

As one can imagine, a lot of people are unhappy with the measure, which they believe is unconstitutional. According to Athar Haseebullah, the executive director of the ACLU of Nevada, no one who supports the First Amendment should support this measure.

Haseebullah added that if the measure passes, it will surely result in litigation. He slammed the “buzzwords” which seek to make the measure appeal less restrictive than it actually is. Despite that, the Clark County Commission was far more inclined to accept the narrative that this measure would protect the safety of pedestrians.

However, the commission has no start date for the new regulation as of yet.

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Hard Rock prepares for the launch of its new Rockford property in August and announced it plans to hire 400 more people.

As reported by the Rock River Current, an Illinois and Wisconsin-focused news outlet, Hard Rock Casino Rockford has many available management positions in food and beverage service, casino operations, transportation, retail, warehouse and other key areas of its operation. The company offers supervisor salaries of over $50,000 a year and manager salaries of over $70,000 a year.

In addition, a multitude of positions in casino operators are available. The company is looking for drivers, cashiers, security personnel, technicians and dealers, among others, offering starting pay of $18 an hour for non-tipped workers and $10-16 an hour for tipped staff.

A variety of other employees, such as chefs, cooks, bartenders, servers and hosts, among others, are also needed.

Hard Rock Casino Rockford is preparing to host workforce readiness workshops next year and run hiring events in the summer of 2024. Management positions will be officially posted in March. Supervisor positions, on the other hand, will be posted in April. Other job opportunities will become available in May.

Hard Rock Casino Rockford Wants to Hire “Rock Stars”

Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s president, Geno Iafrate, commented on the company’s workforce needs, saying that “the thing about the Hard Rock is it’s not just about filling the position, it’s about putting rock stars in the position.”

Iafrate admitted that hiring 400 people is no easy task, which is why it is never too early to start reaching out to the community. Through community connection events, the company will get the opportunity to meet the right people and find the exact “rock stars” it is looking for.

We want world-class hospitality folks. That doesn’t mean you have to have 25 years of hospitality experience. You have to have the right heart. You have to have a servant’s heart to work in the entertainment and in the hospitality space. We’ll teach you everything else.

Geno Iafrate, president, Hard Rock Casino Rockford

Hard Rock is already employing 350 people at its A Hard Rock Opening Act property, a temporary venue where people can play before work on the permanent Hard Rock Casino Rockford is complete. The permanent casino will thus have a total of 750 employees.

The final property will sport a spectacular 65,000 square feet gaming area that will be packed with 1,300 slots, 44 live gaming tables, 6 poker tables and a sportsbook. In addition to that, Hard Rock Casino Rockford will have a variety of food and beverage locations, as well as a 1,600-seat entertainment hall.

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Affiliate performance marketing specialist Raketech has announced a major new addition to its leadership team. As reported by the company, it welcomed the experienced Dalia Turner as its new chief people officer.

Turner started her term as Raketech’s CPO on December 5 and will leverage her experience and talent to support the global senior management team. In her new role, she will be responsible for strategic HR leadership across the affiliate’s global workforce. She will also be tasked with reinforcing the company culture and supporting Raketech’s growth.

The new appointee joins Raketech from Feedzai, a fraud-detection data science company. Her time with the latter saw her expand the company’s team from 300 to 600 employees.

Before her tenure at Feedzai, Turner worked for the global tech corporation Microsoft, spending time with the company in both Portugal and the APAC region. During her time with the tech giant, Turner was responsible for people strategy talent and performance management, leadership development and the organizational culture across multiple countries.

Turner’s time at Microsoft also saw her serve as the business partner of the regional commercial leadership team of 1500 people.

Raketech’s CEO Welcomed the New Hire on Board

Turner is the latest new addition to Raketech in a string of recent appointments. Before onboarding the new chief people officer, the company also unveiled new additions to its board of directors.

Oskar Mühlbach, Raketech’s chief executive officer, commented on the latest appointment, welcoming Turner to the company’s global senior management team. He praised her extensive international experience in Europe and beyond, saying that she would bring “valuable insights, know-how, networks and strategies” to the company.

I’m very much looking forward to working together with Dalia to ensure Raketech stays attractive to the best talents in the industry while keeping our entrepreneurial culture.

Oskar Mühlbach, CEO, Raketech

For reference, Raketech is a leading online affiliate and content marketing company that boasts significant experience in supplying comparison services for sports and gaming, online guides, communities, and social media products. The company’s goal is to guide sports and gambling aficionados to the services most suitable to their needs.

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Despite the efforts of law enforcement, illegal gambling activities are common across China. Last month alone, law enforcement in Hong Kong busted multiple brothels and gambling dens in operations that resulted in the arrest of more than 300 people allegedly involved in those activities. The combined efforts of Hong Kong police authorities against triad operations in November saw more than 2,000 officers participate.

Now, the crackdown against illegal gambling and associated crimes continues. As announced by the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong police operations between November 2 and December 2 resulted in the arrest of 130 people, suspected of participating in money laundering and illegal gambling. The report cited police data released Sunday, estimating that the people involved in the illicit activity were able to launder some HK$15 million ($1.92 million).

Between Friday and Sunday, law enforcement arrested five men and three women believed to be involved in a money laundering operation. Among the detainees were transport workers, bar owners, businessmen and beauty salon managers. Out of the eight people arrested, four were believed to be triad gang members. One of the detained individuals was believed to be the ringleader of the money laundering operation.

Citing an investigation, the Hong Kong police said that the alleged leader of the money laundering syndicate used bank accounts belonging to different businesses to transfer large sums of money. The individual is believed to be involved in different companies, but investigators found no legal businesses belonging to the suspect.

Allegedly, the leader of the money laundering operation was able to conduct more than 600 money transactions. The illicit activity has reportedly been ongoing for 10 years, starting from 2013, according to a senior inspector from the New Territories North anti-triad unit.

Law Enforcement Shuts Down Illegal Gas Station, Gambling Dens

Police detained more than 120 more people, allegedly tied to five illegal gambling dens as well as an illegal gas station. One of the illegal venues offered baccarat, while two offered gambling machines with fishing games. Two other illegal venues offered mahjong games.

Raids were conducted in Sheung Shui and Ta Kwu Ling, during which law enforcement detained 122 individuals. The detainees were between the ages of 20 and 75, consisting of 66 women and 64 men. During the raids, police seized various items, including bank cards, cash and documents. Proceeds that were allegedly accumulated from the illegal activities estimated at HK$2.5 million ($320,000) were also seized. While some of the alleged culprits were released on bail, others already face charges. The Hong Kong police did not rule out additional arrests.

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Italian soccer pro Nicolo Fagioli was recently suspended for betting on sports and breaching Article 24 of the Sporting Justice Code. The Juventus midfielder later claimed that he was introduced to the gambling scheme by Sandro Tonali. In line with Fagioli’s reveal, Paolo Jarre, the doctor responsible for the soccer player’s gambling treatment, said that there are likely many others involved in the scandal.

Jarre recently discussed Fagioli’s gambling addiction with La Gazzetta dello Sport. In addition to saying that the Juventus midfielder’s condition is not as bad as it could have been, the doctor suggested that other players likely participated in the scheme too.

Referring to Fagioli as a polite and subdued man, Jarre said that the soccer pro is statistically unlikely to have been the only player to gamble. As the situation continues to unfold, more players are likely to be incriminated and serve suspensions.

Currently, Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo are also under scrutiny over similar violations.

Fagioli’s Career Isn’t Over yet

Speaking about Fagioli’s case with La Gazzetta, Jarre said that the player was aware that his betting adventure could lead to a long suspension. For reference, the player will be suspended for 12 months but will serve only 7 of them away from the field. The remaining 5 months will see the midfielder make up for his violation in other ways.

Seeking to reassure Fagioli that his career isn’t over, Jarre reminded the player about Paolo Rossi, who previously won a World Cup even after committing a betting violation. The doctor also said that the player is quickly recovering and does not feel a strong urge to wager anymore.

While Jarre was mostly positive about Fagioli’s case, he pointed out that gambling problems are a real disease and must be treated.

Gambling Was a Pastime Until It Was Not

Fagioli says he started gambling in 2021 after allegedly getting introduced to a site that leaves no trace by Tonali. The former player eventually placed wagers on soccer matches, tennis games and played casino games.

At first, it was a nice pastime but sadly, Fagioli quickly developed an addiction and got into debt. The Italian player revealed that he had even received threats because of some of his debts.

Fagioli concluded that he intends to pay back all of the money he took from friends and companions.

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Sisal, the leading online gambling operator that is a part of Flutter Entertainment, announced an important C-suite appointment. The company revealed on Friday that it selected the seasoned expert with significant organizational and HR experience, Sian Carson, for the role of chief people officer. Joining Sisal’s C-suite, she is expected to oversee strategic processes related to the company’s growth in Italy and abroad. Moreover, the appointment complements the operator’s global expansion and development strategy.

Carson brings extensive knowledge and a variety of skills to Sisal. Her strategic guidance is expected to propel the company’s expansion. Currently, Sisal has a presence in several countries and has some 3,000 employees. As a renowned operator with a strong footprint in Italy, the company has established operations in other jurisdictions such as Tunisia, Turkey, Albania, as well as Morocco.

A University of Melbourne graduate in Humanities and Economics, Carson’s professional career in the financial sector began in Italy. At the time, she held different HR roles with UniCredit Group. Back in 2013, she became a part of Flutter Group. Initially, Carson held different roles, overseeing operations of Flutter’s Sportsbet division with brands such as Betfair and Paddy Power. Notably, she held the role of chief people officer where she was able to accumulate unique knowledge and insights.

The latest announcement by Sisal comes after late last month, Flutter confirmed it agreed to acquire a 51% stake in MaxBet, a leading gaming and betting operator in Serbia. The announced deal had a price tag of €141 million ($148.6 million) and the company confirmed that it anticipates acquiring the remaining 49% stake in the operator at some point in 2029.

Carson Is Delighted to Join Sisal

In a statement, Carson shared her excitement about her new role at Sisal. She said that she is proud to join the company at such an important moment and bring her strategic knowledge and guidance. Carson praised the efforts of Sisal’s more than 3,000 employees, explaining that growth and expansion are important for the company. Finally, Carson said: “Sisal’s multinational profile will give us the opportunity to work on issues of diversity and inclusion in all its aspects, with the goal of becoming a leading company in these issues.”

“I am delighted to enthusiastically welcome this new professional challenge in a group that employs more than 3 thousand people in 5 different countries and with an ambition of continuous growth in the near future, strong in its strategy that has always put people at the center.“

Sian Carson, chief people officer at Sisal

Francesco Durante, Sisal’s CEO, shared his excitement and welcomed her to the company’s C-suite. According to him, Carson brings the relevant experience and knowledge to propel Sisal’s future growth in Italy and abroad. Finally, Durante spoke about the importance of investing in people and skills for the future of international companies.

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The initiative seeking to promote responsible gambling among gamblers in Ohio, Ohio for Responsible Gambling, confirmed that an increase is observed in the number of people calling for help regarding problem gambling. On Tuesday, the organization revealed that the number of calls from people in need of help with problem gambling has increased by 70% year-to-date when compared to the corresponding period last year. The increase once again alerted clinical professionals about the dangers of gambling-related harm.

The latest announcement comes at a time when sports betting is blooming, not only in Ohio but in neighboring states as well. The worrying statistics emerged ahead of National Suicide Prevention Month, featuring initiatives this September. In light of this, Ohio for Responsible Gambling once again reminded players, their families, as well as health experts to be on the lookout for early signs of problem gambling.

Spotting the Early Signs of Problem Gambling Is Crucial

Derek Longmeier, the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio’s executive director, acknowledged that amid the growth of the popularity of sports betting, people need to understand the importance of setting limits. He outlined that detecting excessive gambling early is crucial, explaining that behavioral changes such as betting more than you can afford or seeking for the excitement of wagering big sums can be counted as red flags.

“With sports betting now legal, we need everyone to understand the risks and learn about setting limits.“

Derek Longmeier, executive director, Problem Gambling Network of Ohio

Additionally, Longmeier said that people affected by at-risk, or problem gambling may hide or lie about how much money or time they spend gambling, engage in loans or cut costs for vital expenses like food or rent and use them for gambling. Another red flag could also be a sudden drop in work performance, warns the executive director of the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio.

“Research tells us that of those experiencing a gambling disorder, up to 38% will consider suicide.“

Tony Coder, executive director of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation

Tony Coder, the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation’s executive director, spoke about the clear connection between gambling activities and mental health. Citing research, he said that people affected by problem gambling are more vulnerable to suicide, with up to 38% considering such actions. Coder noted that this percentage is the highest out of any form of addiction. Finally, he encouraged anyone experiencing problem gambling to ask for treatment and support.

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Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption impact millions of American adults and even teens. While getting hooked on nicotine or booze is worrying, people who get addicted easily can consume food excessively or engage in gambling, making such abuses just as worse as alcohol and smoking. Amid such concerns, modern medicine continues to actively seek and test drugs that can help people quit smoking, consume alcohol or even help with combatting addiction to gambling and food.

One drug, called Ozempic, has helped millions of Americans lose weight. However, unconfirmed online reports suggest that the drug also helped others get off drinking, stop smoking and even helped fight gambling addiction. An estimated of 50 million Americans have already seen the benefit of the aforementioned drug when it comes to weight loss, a report released by DailyMail reveals.

But what is Ozempic and what does it do? Ozempic is a prescribable diabetes drug that consists of semaglutide, its active ingredient. The injectable drug is known to have positive results when it comes to weight loss with diabetics but some anecdotal reports also claim that it can be beneficial when treating addictions to food, alcohol and even gambling.

A discussion posted on Reddit earlier this year tells the story of a person that was addicted to Adderall, as well as gambling. The person claimed that once he started taking Ozempic, they immediately saw how “stupid” gambling is and significantly decreased the intake of Adderall which stemmed from surgery. “Almost immediately the thought of gambling seemed so obviously stupid – not just dumb financially but a waste of time. It actually seemed boring to me for the first time ever,” wrote the person who claimed that Ozempic worked “almost like a literal miracle.”

Evidence about the Effectiveness of Semaglutide against Addiction Is Insufficient

The Harvard psychiatrist who explores the connection between metabolism and mental health, Dr Chris Palmer, explained: “The exact same brain circuits that are regulating our food intake are also playing a role in our addictive behaviors.” He said that actions or substances that are related to survival and reproduction result in a dopamine award and this is precisely what addictive substances can trigger as well. According to Dr. Palmer, substances that can trigger this dopamine reward system can be considered addictive and those can include food, alcohol, nicotine or even foods with lots of fat or sugars.

While there are other unconfirmed reports and claims about the miracle benefits of semaglutide when it comes to combatting addiction, hard evidence and trials with humans are insufficient. Without any doubt, people affected by problem gambling or addicted to smoking or alcohol need to first consult with an expert rather than taking prescription drugs that may have unexpected long-term effects on their health.

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A total of 1,241 people were arrested in various operations over the period. The news was confirmed by National Police spokesperson Lieutenant General Chhay Kim Khoeun who outlined the work of authorities during the half-year.

Cambodia Keeps the Heat on Illegal Gambling

Out of the people arrested, 782 people were instructed and “educated” not to gamble any more, but in the cases of 459 people, their offenses were considered serious enough to merit court proceedings.

Chhay reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to cracking down on illegal gambling operations across the board and follows a government-wide effort to uproot the practice from the country. Prime Minister Hun Sen vowed to clean his country from illegal gambling back in September 2022 and has directed the police to do his bidding.

This commitment enabled the country to get off the Financial Action Task Force list, which features countries with dubious AML laws and a proliferation of illicit practices which is bad for foreign investors. Gambling in Cambodia has also been linked to human trafficking and kidnappings, putting the country in an even worse light with international partners.

Getting the Results That Matter

The prime minister enacted his will by replacing local and district governors in order to signal to the rest that he values progress against illegal gambling very highly. “I would like to inform you that it is no longer possible to tolerate anarchic situations in the casino. We must be strict,” Hun Sen told at the time he launched his war on the illicit gambling sector.

Cambodia has been under pressure from China, an important trade and economic partner, to rein in the gambling industry. This led to the government’s decision to stop issuing new licenses for online gambling operations in 2019.

The news of the latest crackdown is the first big news coming out of the country vis-à-vis illegal gambling in recent months which demonstrates the success Cambodia has had in tackling the larger issue. Regardless, the number of arrests indicates that there is a vibrant scene built around illicit gambling.

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