臺北新聞熱綫

(AsiaGameHub) -   Commercial and tribal casinos are actively engaging lobbyists to represent their interests, engaging in a competitive effort against prediction markets as the debate over the legality of sports event contracts intensifies. Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour has alleged that casino lobbyists are behind recent legislative efforts aimed at prohibiting prediction markets. Casino lobby hard at work.There is a reason tens of millions of people use regulated prediction markets: it’s a better product.Banning just pushes this offshore, where no regulation exists.This bill isn’t about protecting consumers; it’s about protecting monopolies. https://t.co/otzm0U4Te8— Tarek Mansour (@mansourtarek_) March 23, 2026 Senator Adam Schiff was a co-sponsor of the Prediction Markets are Gambling Act introduced last week. Tribal casino groups are among the significant contributors to Schiff’s campaigns. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria in the Bay Area and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians each donated $100,000 to a pro-Schiff PAC. These tribal groups have vigorously worked to maintain their exclusive control over gambling operations in California. The two tribes collectively contributed over $40 million to a campaign that opposed Proposition 26, a measure that would have legalized sports betting in the state. Kalshi has previously run advertisements with the slogan, “Sports betting in California is now legal.” Consequently, it is unsurprising that politicians supported by tribal interests are intensifying their efforts to impede the company. Schiff is also a co-sponsor of legislation designed to prevent government officials from profiting from event contracts by using insider information. Kalshi Responds With Increased Funding On the opposing side, Mansour and Kalshi are escalating their efforts to advocate for the legality of sports prediction markets. The company allocated over $1 million to lobbying initiatives last year. Only two gambling organizations, the American Gaming Association (AGA) and the Gila River Indian Community, invested more in lobbying. The AGA comprises numerous tribal groups, and several of its members have strongly opposed sports event contracts. This has created internal discord within the organization, leading to the departure of FanDuel and DraftKings as they introduce their own prediction market platforms. Kalshi’s largest expenditure last year was $430,000 to Miller Strategies LLC for “issues regarding rule proposal before the CFTC.” This firm collaborates closely with Donald Trump Jr., who serves as an advisor to both Kalshi and Polymarket. Furthermore, several officials appointed by Trump have a vested interest in maintaining the legal standing of sports prediction markets. According to ProPublica, three of these officials hold assets in Kalshi, 46 have connections to Robinhood, and 138 are linked to Coinbase. Trump Media has also entered into a partnership with Crypto.com, a deal that will integrate the platform’s markets into Truth Social. Financial Influence Drives Stance Changes Kalshi also provided $180,000 to the Lincoln Policy Group last year. This financial support contributed to a shift in the stance of its founder, former Sen. Blanche Lincoln, regarding sports event contracts. Previously, she had stated that sports contracts “would not serve any real commercial purpose. Rather, they would be used solely for gambling.” She is now registered as a lobbyist for Kalshi. In July of the previous year, she sent a letter to the CFTC, urging the organization not to impose restrictions on sports markets. The establishment of the Coalition for Prediction Markets is expected to result in intensified lobbying efforts. According to experts, its members, including Kalshi, Coinbase, and Robinhood, are positioned to rival the casino lobby groups. “We believe these groups have the balance sheets to sustain prolonged political influence and lobbying efforts,” Citizens analyst Jordan Bender informed Sportico. Last year, casino and gambling-affiliated groups spent nearly $50 million on lobbying, a record high. They may need to increase this spending further as prediction markets intensify their advocacy. 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) -   Sports advocates, prominent politicians, and championship-winning players are calling on Thai officials to remove snooker from gambling-related legislation. These demands follow a surge in Thai snooker popularity triggered by Thepchaiya Un-Nooh’s recent victory. Un-Nooh, known as “F1,” claimed victory at the World Open in Yushan, China, earlier this month, defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan, one of snooker's greatest players ever, in the championship match. Thepchaiya Un-Nooh triumphed at the World Open in Yushan, China, earlier this year. The Thai champion beat the seasoned British player 10-7, achieving a perfect 147 break during the match. However, supporters contend that aspiring young Thai snooker players face obstacles in emulating Un-Nooh's success due to a 1935 law. Thai Snooker Gambling Classification ‘Hurts Players’ According to Thai publication The Standard, the Gambling Act categorizes snooker and billiards as "gambling-like activities" instead of sports. These non-sporting classifications require official permits that are difficult for smaller clubs to acquire, and effectively prohibit players under 18 from participating in snooker. This categorization also restricts the growth of snooker infrastructure, youth training programs, and commercial tournaments. Kongsak Yodmani, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), announced that the authority will soon file an official petition with the Ministry of Interior to exclude snooker from the Gambling Act. The SAT governor stated that this action would help "elevate snooker" to recognition as a "fully professional sport," creating opportunities for structural development across youth and national programs. Kongsak added that the new classification would enable Thai companies and sports organizations to host snooker events and produce income for the government. Champion Speaks Out The SAT pledged to require club owners to post clear warning signs about gambling risks during matches. "This issue requires discussion between the SAT and the snooker association," Kongsak explained. "All stakeholders must establish clear boundaries and show that our goal in reclassifying snooker is purely to promote it as a sport." The SAT and other supporters held a press conference on March 25, calling on the government to support their proposal. Participants included Un-Nooh, who told journalists that snooker "has been a part of Thai society for a long time," according to Thai news source Thairath Online. People's Party legislator Rakchanok Srinok urged the government to take swift action following Un-Nooh's triumph. She emphasized the significance of enabling young talents to train and achieve international recognition. In the Spotlight Thailand's gambling regulations have attracted significant attention recently. Last year, under former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the government attempted to classify poker as a sport. Bangkok aimed to draw major poker events to the nation and build integrated casino resorts. However, after the Constitutional Court removed Paetongtarn from office, the government reversed its position, reclassifying poker as gambling. Anti-gambling advocates have also condemned politicians for exploiting lottery policies to gain votes. Thais reportedly wager approximately $8 billion annually on lottery tickets, yet several political parties promised voters they would expand lottery offerings. In the lead-up to last month's general election, the ruling Pheu Thai Party vowed to create nine new "millionaires" daily if victorious. The party pledged to reform current lotteries to guarantee nine winners per day of a 1 million baht prize, valued at over $30,000. 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) -   As the Final Four is now determined and March Madness approaches its conclusion, findings from a recent NCAA Student-Athlete Needs, Aspirations and Perspectives (SNAP) survey illuminate how sports wagering continues to influence the experiences of numerous Division I athletes.Men's Division I basketball players indicated the highest levels of betting-related mistreatment in the survey, with one in three stating that fans had directly held them responsible for gambling losses, while close to half (46%) experienced some type of online, verbal, or physical harassment. A majority of student-athletes (52%) feel that sports betting leads to undue examination of athletes, while 55% indicated it erodes the integrity of competition. In the press release announcing the survey results, NCAA President Charlie Baker said: "This season can be enchanting for numerous players, yet it can swiftly turn into a horror story because of mistreatment from fans who participate in sports betting. The NCAA is vigorously striving to safeguard collegiate athletes by tracking abuse via our partnerships with Signify and Venmo, and we are taking all possible measures to stop student-athletes from encountering such mistreatment. However, sportsbooks and regulators in certain states could take further action immediately by removing the proposition wagers that we know are causing harassment." Men's Basketball Players Endure the Bulk of Fan Mistreatment The NCAA sent the survey to nearly 56,000 Division I student-athletes at participating institutions from February 23 to March 2. In total, 7,493 athletes from 154 schools replied. Per the NCAA, the survey examined social media usage, views on betting and athletic integrity, firsthand encounters with bettor mistreatment, and the impact such abuse can have on wellness and athletic output. Although the study revealed that worries about sports betting are common, the outcomes for men's basketball were particularly notable. The survey indicates that 33% of Division I men's basketball players stated that fans directly faulted them for their gambling losses, with an additional 44% experiencing online mistreatment, and 26% encountering verbal or physical abuse. In total, 65% of surveyed athletes think that when fans single out players regarding sports betting, "the competitive spirit is undermined," while 62% stated that betting-related mistreatment "diminishes confidence between fans and athletes." The survey discovered that the impact of betting-related abuse extends well beyond an athlete's email or social media comment threads. Among athletes who had personally experienced mistreatment, 18% reported that it diminished their pleasure in participating in their sport. Another 14% said it undermined their self-assurance in their abilities, and 11% indicated it adversely impacted their athletic performance. Disturbing Trends Recognized Across Multiple Studies The most recent results contribute to a growing collection of research showing that harassment of prominent collegiate athletes by gamblers is growing more frequent, a problem the NCAA has highlighted repeatedly throughout the past year. Last November's SNAP research revealed that 36% of Division I men's basketball players had encountered betting-related mistreatment on social media during the prior year. Subsequently, in February, the NCAA's GOALS research discovered that 46% of Division I men's basketball players had gotten negative or menacing communications from individuals who had gambled on their contests. The GOALS study additionally found that 29% of players polled said they had engaged with fellow students on campus who had placed bets on their team. Though men's basketball players confront a "torrent" of mistreatment, other athletics demonstrate significantly reduced frequencies. For instance, merely 17% of FBS football players and 3% of DI men's soccer players reported getting menacing messages from gamblers. As the NCAA persists in its initiative to prohibit college player proposition wagers, these discoveries demonstrate that such worries are based on proof that present betting frameworks are progressively connected to the targeting and intimidation of student-athletes. 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) -   Californians should stay alert, as the latest SuperLotto Plus grand prize winner bought their ticket at the 7-Eleven on Central Avenue. The individual won $10 million but will stay anonymous under state laws. Still, the lottery shared details of the win, including the numbers 4, 31, 33, 41, 43, and a mega number of 25, with the recent win causing the jackpot to reset to $7 million. This is far from the largest win in the Golden State this year, as a $204.5 million jackpot was won in Powerball in early 2026, with the winner choosing the $91.6 million lump sum. Another SuperLotto Plus jackpot was claimed earlier in February, with the winner taking $50 million. March also saw a $32 million SuperLotto winner, ending a three-month stretch without top prize winners. 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) -   As facial recognition technology becomes more advanced and cost-effective, casinos are increasingly deploying it to spot potential threats, with a rising number of Las Vegas venues adopting the technology. Why Are Casinos Adopting Facial Recognition? Casinos generally run hundreds of cameras across their extensive premises, making it unfeasible for human staff to monitor and spot every potential issue in real time. Mehmet Erdem, a hospitality professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, noted that this software is more commonly utilized in settings where significant sums of money change hands, like casinos.  He further mentioned that facial recognition software can analyze behavioral signals, such as a person’s mood and whether a player seems happy or distressed. Erdem added that if someone is on the verge of starting a fight or brandishes a weapon, the system should instantly notify security, potentially stopping the situation from worsening into something problematic. Numerous companies are also developing facial recognition technology. Among them, Xallient drew attention last year by announcing plans to integrate its software into slot machines. The firm stated this could enhance casino operations and enable real-time tracking of the players the casino is targeting.  What Potential Issues Could Such Systems Have? George Bebis, director of the University of Nevada, Reno’s Computer Vision Laboratory, acknowledges the technology’s value but points out that casinos are not optimal settings for accurate identification. He explained that comparisons often rely on low-resolution security footage captured under poor lighting conditions. Bebis also clarified that a human should remain part of the process. He stated that once an AI system flags someone, a verification step must follow, and this should be carried out by an expert—not a security staff member or responding police officer. He added that only a forensic investigator with expertise in facial recognition can reliably confirm if a software-identified match is accurate. Instances where facial recognition systems have incorrectly flagged individuals are not uncommon. Such is the case of a Reno truck driver who was arrested in 2023 when the system of the Peppermill Casino in Reno, Nevada, matched him to someone previously banned from the premises. Despite these cases and concerns raised by his colleagues, Erdem noted that human judgment might lead to even more errors, even as the software unavoidably generates false positives. He highlighted that there are many instances where juries have wrongly convicted people based on eyewitness accounts, adding that humans tend to err more than technology. 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) -   Significant news has emerged from New Jersey, where a single holder of a Jersey Cash 5 lottery ticket secured the top prize on Friday, March 27. This player was the sole winner in the draw to achieve the top prize, which totaled $621,931. The winning numbers were 12, 15, 20, 22, and 25, with an XTRA multiplier of X3 and the Bullseye number being 20. The following day, another jackpot was claimed, with two separate tickets splitting a prize pool of $150,000. This recent win follows a $3.4-million jackpot claimed earlier in the month and another seven-figure prize of $1.7 million on March 21. Jersey Cash 5 continues to be a popular game in the region, having awarded four jackpots this month. With odds of 1 in 1,221,759 for matching all five numbers, it is considered a relatively accessible game to play and win compared to other lottery offerings. 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) -   A fresh wave of excitement has swept through Thunder Valley Casino Resort as a lucky guest transformed a modest $10 slot bet into a massive windfall. The player turned that small stake into a life-changing $230,069 jackpot. Management at the casino celebrated the major payout, sharing the news to underscore the property's reputation and the regular occurrence of significant wins at Thunder Valley. Reflecting on the recent success, Dawn Clayton, general manager of Thunder Valley, expressed her enthusiasm for presenting the substantial prize to the winner: “This is what makes Thunder Valley so special. You come for a fun night out, and suddenly you are part of something unforgettable. Those moments happen here every day.” “What makes nights like this so special is that the excitement is happening throughout the entire property. Whether it is on the casino floor or in the bingo hall, our guests are part of something memorable,” she added. The winning streak extended beyond the slot machines that evening, as another visitor claimed $118,738 after hitting the Thunder Jackpot in the bingo hall. This follows a trend of high-value payouts at the resort, including a similar success story from early December. During that previous event, a guest walked away with a $212,595 progressive jackpot. 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 Jersey Cash 5 jackpot was hit once more this Saturday, as two tickets correctly matched all numbers to share the $150,000 top prize. This win occurred just one day after a $621,931 jackpot was won on Friday, March 27. The winning combination was 9, 12, 15, 25, and 26, with an XTRA multiplier of X3. With the Bullseye number drawn as 12, each winner is set to receive $75,000. Remaining a top choice among lottery participants, the Jersey Cash 5 game has proven its popularity. The game has awarded its jackpot on four separate occasions throughout March. This month's largest prize was won on March 10, where a single player claimed a record $3.4 million. Another significant win followed on March 21, with a jackpot valued at $1.7 million. 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.