臺北新聞熱綫

(AsiaGameHub) -   National Basketball Association owners have indicated their readiness to consider the addition of new franchises to the league's current 30-team structure. During the NBA Board of Governors meeting held on March 24-25, when votes were cast, the cities of Las Vegas and Seattle were prominently mentioned as the most probable candidates for expansion. “I think Seattle and Las Vegas, in terms of their history and support of NBA basketball, are unique in terms of available markets in the US right now,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated, further elaborating, “No knock on any other markets. Those are just the markets we’re focused on.” No Surprise The prospect of NBA expansion has been a topic of discussion for years, with growing momentum. While the official process has now commenced, the outcome remains uncertain. For Seattle, this potential expansion carries significant emotional resonance, given the city's experience of losing the Seattle SuperSonics in 2008, when the team relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Oklahoma City Thunder. Fans in Seattle have been anticipating the return of NBA basketball ever since. Local support has remained strong, and the city continues to be one of the largest US markets without a professional basketball team. Concurrently, Las Vegas has steadily evolved into a major sports destination, partly due to the NBA hosting its Summer League there for many years, establishing it as a crucial event for players, coaches, and executives. The presence of established teams like the Raiders and the Golden Knights in the city suggests that the addition of an NBA franchise would be a logical progression. Exploratory Phase  However, expansion is not yet guaranteed, as the league has only authorized an exploratory phase. This means that prospective ownership groups must now submit comprehensive proposals, detailing plans for arenas, financial structures, and long-term viability. The NBA will also assess the broader implications of expansion, including how the addition of new teams might affect player distribution and competitive balance within the league. Expansion fees are anticipated to be at least $6 billion per team, with industry insiders and ESPN projecting figures ranging from $7 billion to $10 billion. If approved, the new teams could potentially begin play as early as the 2028-29 season. Furthermore, the addition of two Western Conference teams would necessitate the relocation of one existing franchise to the Eastern Conference to maintain conference balance. Cities such as New Orleans, Memphis, or Minnesota are among those that could be considered for such a move. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   In a heartfelt letter emailed to employees, The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, Texas stated it would “close indefinitely”. As a result, the card room had to lay off all its staff due to ongoing legal pressure from authorities.  The club was first shuttered on March 10 when the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) carried out a controversial raid during which it seized various items of alleged evidence and froze assets. “Incredibly Difficult Decision” Well-known poker pros Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen count among the club’s owners, with Polk, Jake Abdalla, and Jason Levin serving as majority owners and Neeme and Owen as minority investors. In what he called “the hardest message I’ve ever had to write”, Levin formally announced that the poker room would remain closed and all employees would lose their jobs.  “While no charges have been filed, and we stand by the club’s history of operating with complete integrity and within Texas law, the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office has made it clear to our attorneys that they believe The Lodge’s current business model violates Texas law,” the letter stated. “For this reason, we can’t reopen. Doing so would risk another raid by authorities, seizure of additional cash and assets, and possible arrests,” Levin added plainly. Levin also noted they’d received no “indication” about when the investigation might conclude, leaving them with “no other viable path forward at this time.” “As a result, we have no choice but to make the extremely tough decision to lay off our entire team. We hope you know how much each of you means to us, and as we hold out hope for a favorable outcome, if we’re ever able to reopen, we plan to welcome you back with open arms,” Levin reassured staff. “You Made This Place What It Was” “Each of you helped turn that vision into reality. From front desk staff to porters, dealers, managers, and production team, every detail, every interaction, every long day and late night combined to create something truly special. You made this place what it was—not the building, not the brand, but you,” Levin added. The raid and subsequent closure were rooted in Texas’ gambling regulations and the “social poker club” model, which lets poker clubs operate in a gray area by offering peer-to-peer games instead of traditional gambling. Rather than taking a cut of pots, these clubs charge either hourly seat rental fees or memberships. PokerNews has obtained, however, an affidavit alleging the now-shuttered club is linked to several potential violations, including organized criminal activity, money laundering, and illegal gambling. The document states approximately $1.35 million in deposits were marked as “suspicious”. The same was true for several financial transfers between business-related accounts. Additionally, the document references an undercover operation in which agents visited the club and played poker multiple times.The investigation will continue without a clear end date. Meanwhile, The Lodge’s sister location in San Antonio remains open. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Malta is weighing a new regulatory move that could position it at the leading edge of a fast-growing digital finance segment. The government has launched an assessment of how to roll out a legal framework for prediction markets, a sector that is gaining momentum and attracting rising attention from both investors and regulators. Malta Looks Into Regulating Prediction Markets to Drive Innovation Economy Minister Silvio Schembri noted that authorities are examining how these platforms can be governed to support new ideas while upholding robust oversight. Per local media outlet Lovin Malta, he stated that prediction markets represent a promising opportunity, as long as they operate within a structured, transparent legal environment. Prediction markets let participants trade based on the results of real-world events ranging from political elections to economic indicators and sports outcomes. This model turns forecasting into a tradable asset category. The concept has gained popularity in the United States in recent years, where platforms have recorded notable growth. Kalshi is one of the leading players in the space, operating under regulatory supervision and reaching a valuation in the multibillion-dollar range. Alongside competitors including Polymarket, the sector notched up tens of billions of dollars in trading volume in 2025, a figure that underscores its growing scale and appeal. Malta Targets Robust Compliance in the Rapidly Expanding Prediction Industry Despite this growth, the legal standing of prediction markets remains ambiguous in many regions. Across the European Union, rules vary from country to country, and there is no harmonized framework to govern this activity. Some jurisdictions have put restrictions in place, while others are still evaluating whether these platforms should be classified as financial instruments, gambling services, or a hybrid of the two. Malta’s focus on the sector follows a familiar pattern. The country established itself as a trailblazer in online gaming regulation, and later rolled out early legislation for blockchain and cryptocurrency businesses. These moves helped attract international firms and cement its reputation as a hub for digital innovation. Officials are now exploring whether a comparable approach could work for prediction markets. By setting clear rules, Malta could provide companies with legal certainty and access to the wider European market. The government’s stance makes clear that user trust and investor protection will remain core to any future framework. The timing is opportune, as global demand for prediction-based trading continues to rise. While discussions in Malta are still in their early stages, the initiative signals an intent to anticipate industry trends rather than react to them after they have already taken hold. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   The UK government has decided to maintain the Horserace Betting Levy at its current rate following the completion of a long-anticipated review. However, the decision has drawn criticism from racing organizations. UK Maintains 10% Levy on Horse Racing Bets Ian Murray announced the decision in Parliament, sharing the findings from a review conducted by Baroness Twycross. Ministers determined that the existing 10% levy on bookmakers' profits from British horseracing will continue without immediate changes. This levy applies to operators earning over GBP 500,000 ($667,878) from bets placed on domestic racing. The Horserace Betting Levy Board uses these funds to support breeding, veterinary research, and overall sport development. Last year, revenues amounted to GBP 108 million ($144.2 million), a slight increase from the previous year. According to the government, stability within the broader gambling sector was a significant factor in this decision. Recent adjustments to betting duties were cited as reasons to avoid further regulatory shifts. Officials also rejected proposals to extend the levy to cover bets on international racing, stating that the current system adequately reflects the connection between bookmakers and British racing. UK Horse Racing Faces Funding Concerns Amid Policy Dispute Horse racing is a vital component of the UK’s sporting heritage, attracting substantial crowds and international attention through major events like the Grand National and Royal Ascot. Ministers emphasized their ongoing support for the sport and highlighted initiatives aimed at improving governance, race scheduling, and animal welfare. However, the response from the British Horseracing Authority has been negative. Chief executive Brant Dunshea voiced disappointment with both the duration of the review and its outcome. He noted that the sport had spent years collaborating with policymakers and presenting evidence that its betting-related financial returns are insufficient to cover escalating operational expenses. Dunshea also drew attention to a difference between Britain and other prominent racing countries, observing that nations like France and Ireland generate a larger portion of betting revenue for their racing industries. In contrast, he argued, the actual financial benefit to British racing remains low. The BHA also expressed concerns regarding regulatory measures such as affordability checks for gamblers. Dunshea cautioned that stricter regulations could drive bettors to unregulated markets, which would decrease funding for racing and also affect tax revenues. The government maintains that ongoing collaboration between the betting and racing industries is crucial for long-term viability. Nevertheless, the recent decision appears to have heightened tensions, with industry leaders urging a reconsideration of policies they believe will significantly impact the sport's financial future. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Americas Cardroom Pro Ebony Kenney has achieved the distinction of becoming the most accomplished female player in Triton Poker history, continuing her impressive performance at the elite levels of the game. Kenney's ascent in the Triton arena has been characterized by consistent achievements. She made a significant breakthrough at the 2022 Triton Super High Roller Series, securing a 5th-place finish in the $200,000 Coin Rivet Invitational, which earned her $1.7 million—a notable sum for a woman in poker history. Following this success, she achieved another 5th-place finish in a $25,000 event, earning $240,500. More recently, in 2025, she secured a runner-up position in a $15,000 High Roller, taking home $614,500. Throughout her career, Kenney has amassed over $3.3 million in live tournament winnings, demonstrating a consistent presence in high-stakes competitions. She has also been among the pioneering women to participate in Triton's most exclusive invitational tournaments. Now, she is focused on building upon this success. Kenney has successfully bagged chips and is positioned in 10th place heading into Day 2 of the $40,000 Mystery Bounty, remaining a strong contender for another deep run. “Ebony continues to raise the bar—not just for women in poker, but for everyone competing at the highest level,” stated Americas Cardroom CEO Phil Nagy. “She’s proving, again and again, that she belongs in the biggest games in the world.” Day 2 was scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.