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The controversial millionaire streamer has blasted detractors who have repeatedly taken issue with his gambling habits and streaming

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Twitch and Kick streamer Félix Lengyel, or as he is known for his online handle, “xQc,” has blasted people who have repeatedly brought up his tendency to stream gambling for the “kicks of it,” accusing the former Overwatch professional player of opportunistically accepting deals with crypto gambling platforms and casinos and expose his followers to gambling.

Who Are You to Moralize – Ghandi?

xQc has repeatedly denied any ill intent on his part but has now become irate once again, calling out his detractors “losers.” He put himself in the same basket with Trainwrecks,  a fellow streamer who has proven even more controversial over his misogynistic comments on X, formerly Twitter, against female streamers and members of the community.

xQc has called out the moralizing bunch “losers” who want “something out of it.” The streamer was convinced that it was not simply a matter of taking the moral high ground, but also a desire for those same people who blasted him to gain something financially out of the situation or impede xQc and Trainwrecks’ own success.

“Like, what do you think prompts somebody to do this? What do you think, because they’ re like the messiah, they’re like Gandhi. That they save the world? Like, dude, they want something out of it, some sort of a reward. They feel they should get the bonus for being morally just. The reality it, there isn’t [a bonus]. You’re a loser. You’re not better than anybody else, you are a dumbf—k.”

xQc is said to have $100 million non-exclusive deals with Kick, the newly-formed streaming platform that was launched to offer a laxer approach to streaming content, with a particular focus on gambling, in the wake of Twitch’s ban on gambling.

Not Ashamed to Make an Honest Living

Over the years, xQc has tried to convince his audiences that he “actually enjoyed” gambling and it was something he would rather do than play Overwatch, for example.

More recently, though, the streamer seems to be making a clean breast out of his affinity for gambling which is at least partially rooted in the serious contracts he has been landing with gambling companies.

Both Trainwrecks and xQc have reported over the years that they had been broke because of gambling and promoted at least a moderate form of responsible gambling. Yet, their relationship with the gambling industry has only grown deeper.

Twitch may also be a target for takeover from Kick’s co-founder Bijan Tehrani, who has said as much himself earlier this year.

-Mk Ssports

The gaming industry’s contributions to the state reflected the decrease in revenue and declined by almost $2.6 million to approximately $69.8 million

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The revenue generated by Maryland’s casino operators has experienced a significant decline, according to the latest report. As it turns out, the state’s six casinos generated approximately $163.2 million in revenue from table games and slots – a figure that represents a decrease of $11.6 million year-on-year.

The gaming industry’s contributions to the state reflected the decrease in revenue and declined by almost $2.6 million to approximately $69.8 million.

The figures reported by the casinos show year-on-year declines across the board. Only one casino, namely the Hollywood Casino in Cecil County, managed to beat the odds and report a revenue growth. For context, that property’s revenue increased by 6% to $7.93 million.  

In the meantime, the Live! Casino and Hotel in Anne Arundel Country, a property boasting some 3,800+ slots and approximately 180 table games, experienced a revenue decline of $1.14 million. Despite the slight decline, the property’s overall revenue still stood at $60.86 million.

Ocean Downs Casino in Worchester County, on the other hand, experienced a decline of 7,6% to $7.32 million. MGM National Harbor in Prince George’s County, meanwhile, reported a revenue decline of 9.8% to $68.8 million.

Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore reported a decline of 10.8%. Rocky Gap Casino in Allegany County got the worst of it as its revenue plummeted by 20.6%.

A Man Was Robbed at Horseshoe Baltimore

Speaking of Horseshoe Casino, the property recently became the site of an armed robbery. In late April, a man named Justin was approached by two masked robbers who pointed guns at his head and asked him to give them all of his valuables. Fearing for his life, Justin complied.  

The man later told local news outlets that casino goers should feel safer than that. He questioned the property’s lack of security, saying that the garage is an obvious spot where criminals could strike. However, such areas of “real terror” are currently completely undefended.

In other news, Maryland continues its efforts to legalize online gaming. However, an iGaming bill was deferred to 2026 amid various setbacks.  

-Mk Ssports

In addition to arresting the five men, the police were able to seize a whopping 585 fake chips worth approximately $750,000

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The Macau Judiciary Police have arrested five Chinese nationals suspected to be related to a cross-border criminal syndicate. The criminal organization, according to the authorities, uses counterfeit chips in casinos in Macau.

The arrests followed a recent report from a casino in the Cotai area where a customer exchanged fake chips for money. After the staff realized that they had been scammed they referred the matter to the police.

Local authorities immediately launched an investigation into the matter and quickly arrested five men from mainland China at the casino. Aged between 21 and 28, the five arrestees were suspected of being a part of a criminal organization that imports fake chips into Macau. The police are currently on the lookout for three other suspects who might be related to the case.

In addition to arresting the five men, the police were able to seize a whopping 585 fake chips worth approximately $750,000. More than 130 of those were discovered in toilets and taxi compartments near the border and might have been abandoned by other participants in the criminal scheme.

Upon careful inspection, the police concluded that the fake chips were extremely realistic and difficult to differentiate from real ones at first glance.

The Macau authorities believe that they are dealing with a fairly new criminal organization. According to the police, the group is believed to have started its illegal scheme in March.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Macau Seeks to Crack Down on Gambling Crime

Speaking of gambling crime in Macau, the country recently proposed a law that would exempt minor gambling offenders from prosecution, or at least reduce their penalties, if they provide evidence against others.

In addition to exempting whistleblowers from penalties, the new law would allow the police to search the property of potential witnesses or suspects during the night.

Additionally, Macau lawmakers proposed an amendment to the region’s Criminal Procedure Code that would allow it to implement an extension of detention measure. This matter was raised after Alvin Chau, the chairman of the controversial Suncity junket, argued that the detention period of certain individuals in the Suncity case had already expired.

-Mk Ssports

The COVID-19 pandemic has left many casino workers in Cambodia out of a job, prompting widespread protests against the alleged injustice perpetrated on casino staff

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Cambodia’s Supreme Court has not shown leniency in the case of a labor union leader who organized one of the longest-running strikes against the country’s biggest casino, with the detainee, Chhim Sithar, alleging that NagaWorld laid off workers illegally and attempted to bust the union’s efforts to fight back.

No Reprieve for Determined Union Labor Leader

The Supreme Court found Sithar, president of the Labor Right Supports Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld, to have acted against the law, upholding his two-year prison sentence originally meted out in May 2023. Sithar was brought up on charges of incitement to commit a felony, and the court has now upheld the sentence, meaning that Sithar will have to serve out his sentence.

Sithar was the driving force behind the protests that erupted in December 2021, protesting mass layoffs at the NagaWorld Casino in the country’s capital, Phnom Penh and was finally arrested in January 2022, after refusing to back down and tell union workers to go home. NagaCorp has since recovered, demonstrating strong growth.

NagaWorld fired 373 employees as the casino faced the financial pinch of the pandemic and lack of tourists, which significantly depressed operational results and brought business to a standstill. Despite Sithar’s arrest, though, many of the fired workers continue to rally and protest both her incarceration and sentence, as well as the way NagaWorld and Cambodia’s legal system have treated the case.

Yet, some have opted out of settlements with the company, and some 200 ex-workers have already accepted settlements. Yet, others have not been so lucky. Sithar may have been dubbed a “ringleader” by the court, but she is not alone, as eight of her fellow union workers have also been handed down 18-month prison sentences as well.

Illegal Detention and Human Rights Champion

Sithar though is unlikely to be released earlier. She will end her sentence term later this year. She is also the recipient of the US Department of State Human Rights Defender Award and this distinction comes at a time when the United States has warned that doing business in Cambodia could pose significant risk to investors, alleging that corruption ran deep in the state.

Cambodia has vehemently denied these accusations.  Yet, the fate of Sithar is no way to assuage concerns about underhand practices that favor powerful businesses over citizens. NagaWorld began operations in 1994 and the casino is owned by the powerful Malaysian billionaire Chen Lip Keong and his family.

-Mk Ssports

Ahead of the opening of Caesars\’ casino in Danville, the cost for the project nearly doubled

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The leading gaming, hospitality and entertainment company, Ceasars Entertainment, started the work on its permanent casino in Danville, Virginia, a few years ago, in 2022. Ahead of the opening of the resort, planned for this December, the cost of the project has significantly increased.

While initially, Ceasars anticipated an investment of approximately $400 million, the construction of the permanent casino has nearly doubled, as suggested by a new report. On Monday, WDBJ confirmed that the cost for Caesars’ Danville casino project has increased to approximately $750 million.

The new sum represents a significant increase of nearly double what was estimated as the initial investment. In light of the increase in capital investment, the company is reportedly collaborating with the city about changes to its development agreement.

The Company Considers Changes to Its Agreement with the City

As a part of the changes, Caesars is anticipating selling between 10 and 20 acres of land to Danville. Provided that this sale is greenlighted by city officials and the land returns to Danville ownership, it is likely going to be used for the development of a new park.

Further changes to the development agreement involve reducing the minimum number of employees for the Danville permanent casino project. While initially, the minimum number of employees was 1,300, Caesars may consider decreasing this number to 900.

Ken Larking, Danville City Manager, who was recently quoted by WDBJ, revealed that over the last couple of years, much has changed. “A lot has changed in the past few years regarding the nature of construction, the nature of the workforce, and some things that come up that we needed to see happen as well,” he explained. Additionally, Larking pointed out: “So, we worked together for the past several months to come up with an agreement we can both be satisfied with.”

Recently, Caesars released its first quarter results, highlighting a decline despite an increase in iGaming win. The company’s quarterly report revealed that its net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2024, halted at $2.7 billion. A year-over-year comparison showed a slight decrease when compared to the $2.8 billion result in 2023.

The adjustments to the development agreement between Caesars and Danville were recommended for approval by city staff. Still, the final decision is in the hands of the City Council. A vote on the proposed changes is scheduled to take place at the City Council’s meeting on Tuesday.

-Mk Ssports

The RGAA was established in 2023 by a group of industry leaders, and ever since, it has remained steadfast in its dedication to fostering integrity and advocating for responsible marketing practices

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The Responsible Gambling Affiliate Association (RGAA) announced recently that it will be launching a new membership initiative at SBC Summit North America. With the help of the program, RGAA wants to keep fostering a stronger community of affiliate companies while at the same time prioritizing consumer protection.

RGAA Expands Membership to Strengthen Integrity and Consumer Protection Efforts

Max Bichsel, Chair of RGAA, emphasized the importance of the fresh program, stating: “The launch of our membership program is a pivotal moment for the RGAA as we strive to promote responsible gambling practices and advocate for equitable regulation in the industry. With each new affiliate that joins our ranks, we fortify our efforts to ensure that integrity and consumer protection remain at the forefront of our sector.”

RGAA was founded in 2023 by a consortium of industry giants including Better Collective, Catena Media, FairPlay Sports Media, Gambling.com, Spotlight Sports Group, and XLMedia and since then it has upheld a commitment to promote integrity and responsible marketing practices.

With this new expansion of its membership rooster, RGAA wants to enhance its influence and build upon the foundation of the goals set by its initial members. New affiliates can reap the benefits of united representation in the gaming industry and will be able to access a wide range of resources such as regulation updates, educational materials, and tools designed to empower their businesses.

Better Collective CEO Highlights Industry Dedication to Player Welfare

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and founder of SBC Gaming, also expressed enthusiasm regarding the collaboration, stating: “Last year’s Summit was a huge success and brought together industry leaders throughout North America eager to exchange ideas, collaborate and make lasting change. I am confident that this year will be no different and our collaboration with the RGAA will further elevate the conversation surrounding responsible gambling practices and player protection.”

Members are obliged to make a commitment to upholding responsible gambling standards. This also includes a yearly compliance audit. The membership also means that all participants receive the esteemed RGAA Standards of Excellence certification, which shows the member’s dedication to championing responsible gambling marketing and advertising practices, and safeguarding consumer interests.

Marc Pedersen, CEO of North America for Better Collective and RGAA board member, underlined the collective dedication to player protection the RGAA propagates and underscored that Better Collective as a founding member has over 20 years of experience in the industry. He further mentioned that he expects many new members to join the RGAA as the organization continues its work to ensure the improvement of safer gambling practices and the protection of players.

-Mk Ssports

The situation started as minor discomfort for the passenger but steadily evolved into a direct confrontation

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JetBlue Airways faces stringent scrutiny after a Jewish passenger, who was traveling to Las Vegas, was allegedly discriminated against by crew members. Paul Faust, a 54-year-old telecom entrepreneur from Parkland, Florida, got involved in the controversial exchange as he voiced his objections against a flight attendant’s display of a “Free Palestine” pin during the flight.

Paul Faust’s JetBlue Encounter Goes From Discomfort to Confrontation

According to Paul Faust, the incident began as mere discomfort but gradually escalated to outright confrontation, reported Daily Mail. It all started with Faust observing that the flight attendant is wearing several pins on her uniform, including one with the Palestine flag and the slogan “Free Palestine,” alongside a Black Lives Matter badge.

Initially, Faust did not make any comments about it but after the flight attendant moved the “Free Palestine” pin prominently and deliberately to her apron when serving coffee and drinks Faust decided to speak up. However, all Faust did was mention the situation with the pin to the flight supervisor.

To his surprise, the situation escalated after the plane landed as an official from JetBlue made accusations that Faust has caused a disturbance during the flight. Eventually, even Las Vegas law enforcement was involved.

Faust insisted that he had not engaged in any disruptive behavior on the plane, however, his statement remained unheard. In the end, Faust’s return flight was canceled by JetBlue and the airline even banned him from any future travel on its flights. The company cited his non-compliance with crew instructions as the reason for the ban.

Allegations of Antisemitism Ignite Social Media Outcry

Following the JetBlue incident Faust has referred to it as an act of “blatant antisemitism”. His fellow passenger Rachelle Almagor also commented on the incident confirming Faust’s version of the sequence of events that took place. She also mentioned that she felt discomfort in connection with the flight attendant’s “Free Palestine” pin and its prominent display.

As a result of the allegations, JetBlue has ordered an internal investigation. The airline extended its apologies to Faust and referred to the incident as a breach of company policies. Additionally, the airline has initiated a revision of its pin policy, aiming to facilitate a respectful environment for all passengers and crew members. Social media is afire with criticism toward JetBlue Airways following the incident. The majority of posts are in support of Paul Faust and are calling for a boycott of JetBlue.

-Mk Ssports

Legalizing online casino gambling in the US has been sluggish, yet several states have already implemented it

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Internet casino gambling in the United States has a bright future ahead, according to industry experts and executives, who participated in this year’s SBC Summit North America. Despite a range of obstacles that are currently thwarting its expansion and concerns regarding its impact on brick-and-mortar casinos, the overall sentiment from the industry is positive.

Industry Executives Optimistic Despite Sluggish Uptake of iGaming

The progress of legalizing online casino gambling in the US has been slow but still a number of US states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia, have already introduced it. Despite this slow uptake, industry experts and leaders believe that the future of gambling lies online.

Elizabeth Suever, a vice president at Bally’s Corporation, noted that consumers, particularly millennials, have changed their habits considerably and are more and more reliant on their smartphones for anything from shopping to banking services making their lifestyles predominantly mobile-centric. She added that this is where gambling is going to as well, reported the Associated Press.

However, these positive sentiments do not reflect the state of the market. Despite online sports betting being available in 38 US states and Washington D.C., internet gambling has remained very limited. Even Nevada, the Mecca of gambling, has only introduced online poker and no online casino games.

Controversy Amidst Hope: Addressing Concerns in US Online Gaming Expansion

Shawn Fluharty, president of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, highlighted that there is a significant disparity between the extensive growth of sports betting following the US Supreme Court’s landmark decision in 2018 and the next-to-non-existent expansion of online casino gaming. However, he also expressed optimism about the eventual uptake of igaming.

Brandt Iden, a vice president at Fanatics Betting & Gaming, echoed this sentiment. He commented on how important it is to embrace online gaming for the industry as a whole in order to be successful. He also stressed that the industry has to make efforts to educate legislators regarding the benefits of legalized online platforms compared to illegal offshore gambling websites.

The industry’s stance may be positive, but there are still many concerns regarding the negative implications of the spread of iGaming across the US. These include fear of increased addiction rates and the cannibalization of revenues from physical casinos.

However, online gambling supporters argue that iGaming can complement traditional casinos and stimulate economic growth. Adam Glass, an executive at Rush Street Interactive, highlighted that there is a potential for new job openings and synergy between online and offline gaming operators.

-Mk Ssports

Licadho and other human rights organizations have denounced Rithy\’s imprisonment as an effort to intimidate labor unions and hinder their activist endeavors

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Morm Rithy, who is one of the leaders in Cambodia’s labor movement, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for a Facebook post he used to criticize the treatment of a casino worker.

Union Leader Rithy Faces Legal Battle Over Facebook Critique

Rithy who is also the president of the Cambodian Tourism and Service Workers’ Federation (CTSWF) and the vice president of the Cambodian Labor Confederation (CLC) was charged with incitement and discrediting judicial decisions, reported The Camboja News.

The reason behind the charges is a Facebook post from February 24, 2022, with which Rithy expressed concerns about the arrest of Morm Sreyleak, a female employee at the Jin Bei 2 casino, and questioned the legitimacy of her being detained. He also called for more transparency in the judicial proceedings. As a result, the Chinese-owned Jin Bei Group filed a complaint against him.

Following prolonged legal proceedings, Rithy was arrested on May 7 this year outside the offices of CLC in Phnom Penh. Scheduling conflicts prevented Rithy from attending the hearing and the verdict was pronounced in his absence.

Cambodian Rights Groups Decry Union Leader’s Sentence

Licadho and other human rights groups have spoken against Rithy’s prison sentences. The have labeled the imprisonments an attempt to scare labor unions and thwart their activist operations.

The incident is part of a wider crackdown on activists and union leaders in Cambodia. A couple of days before Rithy’s arrest Cambodia’s Supreme Court confirmed the verdict of Chhim Sithar who is also a labor unionist and several other individuals who organized a strike at NagaWorld Casino.

Cambodia has faced criticism that such activities undermine its reputation as a democratic state and violate fundamental freedoms. The Cambodian government has stated that it abides by the law, however, it is still the subject of allegations of politically motivated prosecutions and judicial harassment.

Cambodia has a history of authoritarian governance including former Prime Minister Hun Sen. Against this backdrop the country is still struggling to uphold democratic values and protect human rights and the freedom of speech. Despite a change in leadership, observers have yet to witness significant improvements in the country’s human rights landscape.

Following Rithy’s arrest and prison sentence, fellow union leaders and activists have vouched for his release. They see the incident as a threat to the labor movement‘s ability to advocate for workers’ rights.

-Mk Ssports

IEC’s official announcement noted that the group has established new internal control procedures and measures that would prevent instances of non-compliance and fraud

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International Entertainment Corporation (IEC) announced that it has officially begun its limited operation of the casino at its New Coast Hotel property in Manila. The company is set to officially take over full casino operations from the PAGCOR on May 11.

The Board is pleased to announce that on 9 May 2024, the Group has commenced its limited operation in the Casino, the Group will officially take over the entire casino operation with effect from 11 May 2024 and will be the operator of the Casino under the Provisional License.

IEC statement

This announcement comes after IEC was awarded a provisional casino license by the Philippine regulator on September 27, 2023. The former company now aims to turn New Coast Hotel into a proper integrated resort.  

For context, the casino at New Coast was operated by the PAGCOR’s Casino Filipino brand. During that time, IEC served a supporting function, helping the operator improve the overall gaming experience.

Under its provisional casino license agreement, IEC will pay a monthly fee to the PAGCOR. For the month of May, IEC will have to pay PHP 60 million.

IEC Will Implement Robust AML and CTF Measures

IEC’s official announcement noted that the group has established new internal control procedures and measures that would prevent instances of non-compliance and fraud. This includes an AML and CTF program that seeks to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism, allowing IEC to remain compliant.

The program, according to IEC, has been designed with high ethical standards and robust know-your-costumer principles in mind. It will also ensure that officers and employees are aware of their responsibilities and will guarantee cooperation with the AMLC and PAGCOR.

IEC added that it has formed an AML committee consisting of at least three members that would formulate a comprehensive and risk-based AML and CTF program that conforms to the law. The committee will oversee the program’s implementation and will report the casino’s compliance status to the board.

-Mk Ssports