Bill 5042 was proposed by 105^th district representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria, 91^st district representative Michael D’Agostino, and 18^th district senator Heather Somers.

Bill 5042 Is Not the First Attempt to Ban Greyhound Racing in Connecticut

Bill 5042 proposes a full prohibition on the operation of any greyhound racing tracks in the state of Connecticut. Furthermore, it introduces a ban on any simulcasting of greyhound racing events that are taking place outside of the state. 

However, this is not the first time such legislative changes have been proposed.  A similar bill was approved by the Senate in 2017 but it did not go through the House of Representatives so it was eventually scrapped. 

In 2021, there was another attempt to ban greyhound racing in the state but the House of Representatives voted against the bill proposal. Then, in February 2022, Republican State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria proposed a very similar bill with number 5174 but it never really go through the whole approval process.

Greyhound Racing Is Deemed Inhumane and Cruel

The difference between the bill from February and the current bill proposal is that the previous one only introduced a ban on the operation of greyhound tracks but did not present any rules around simulcasting. The latest bill wants to eradicate not only greyhound racing tracks in the state but also thwart any live broadcast of such races in connection with sports betting activities. This will probably mean that the legislative changes will have an effect on sports wagering on greyhound races altogether with most operators eventually choosing not to offer such wagers. 

Both the bill from February and the current bill, however, point to the fact that 41 other US states have already made greyhound racing illegal. The two bill proposals also highlight that the dogs participating in such races are often treated in inhumane ways and are subject to abuse and injuries. The use of live bait is also underlined as cruel.

Greyhound Racing Has Been Declining for a Long Time

There are no greyhound race tracks left in Connecticut. This form of entertainment was very popular in the past with Connecticut’s first track – Plainfield Greyhound Park – opening in 1976. However, by 2005 all live greyhound races had been discontinued as attendance was very low and its glory days were practically over.

Yet, according to legislation, opening a greyhound race track is still possible in Connecticut. With the latest bill proposal 5042, lawmakers are trying to reflect these historical developments and make it impossible for this cruel form of entertainment to have a comeback in Connecticut.    

Although Unite Here Local 54 is the leading Atlantic City worker union, several other employee organizations have united in support of the change, resulting in mixed messages on the topic.

Industry and Unions Fear a Potential Downturn

Unite Here Local 54 stands together with the Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ), urging state lawmakers to reconsider their intentions. Their primary concern is that a ban on smoking would hurt Atlantic City’s status and drive customers away, hurting revenue. Local 54 president Bob McDevitt commented on the situation in local media outlet NJ Spotlight, warning that alienating smokers would have a widespread impact.

“If people opt not to go…, it won’t just have an effect on folks who are dealers, and folks who are bartenders.”

Bob McDevitt, Unite Here Local 54 president

CANJ supports that opinion, expressing concern that fewer gamblers would hurt Atlantic City resorts and other businesses like shopping, dining, and entertainment. The two organizations are the primary representatives of the area’s gaming industry and its staff, but this does not mean that all workers share their sentiments.

Lawmakers and Many Workers Are Pro-Ban

Although Local 54 claims to represent more than 10,000 employees, 2,500 casino workers united in May to push for the ban. They blamed the industry for valuing their bottom line more than their staff’s well-being, expressing fear for their health in a workplace filled with potentially deadly secondhand smoke.

State lawmakers generally support a complete indoor smoking ban. However, internal politicking has caused the procedure to stall despite the support of Gov. Phil Murphy, who is prepared to sign such a bill as soon as it reaches his desk. New Jersey State Senator Joe Vitale has been especially outspoken regarding the matter, urging immediate action.

“There are people who are getting sick. Some are dying. It’s really prehistoric and immoral.”

Joe Vitale, New Jersey State Senator

Despite the split in worker opinions, lawmakers and industry representatives believe that a complete smoking ban is most likely a matter of when not if. CANJ president Mark Giannantonio agreed with that sentiment but opposed efforts to do so right now in fear of destabilizing the industry. Despite his worries, twenty states already ban smoking in casinos without experiencing any significant downturn, indicating that improving staff well-being should likely precede the industry’s unfounded fears.

The move comes in the face of the company pushing to increase its market share, and further solidify its presence in the region.

New Management in Atlantic City

The two positions were taken by George Goldhoff and Mike Sampson, respectively, with their stepping in still subject to approval by New Jersey’s gambling regulators. Goldhoff is president of the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, which was rebranded a few years ago. Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International, praised Goldhoff for his efforts there.

“In just three years of rebranding our property in Cincinnati, he was able to make that casino the leader in the market,” Allen said. This, coupled with Goldhoff’s previous management- and C-level experience means the company feels he can propel the Atlantic City team into “the next era” of gaming and hospitality for Hard Rock in the area.

Sampson’s experience, on the other hand, is with multiple gaming companies, including Seneca Gaming and Trump Entertainment Resorts. It’s an interesting coincidence that the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City is actually the former-President Trump’s Taj Mahal casino site. The failed casino was purchased in 2017, and Hard Rock reopened it in 2018.

Hard Rock Atlantic City is trying to capture the number one spot of market share in the region, and the company has been trying hard to make that come to fruition. The latest management change is just part of the overarching plan, and it certainly isn’t the only move the company has made recently.

Hard Rock Continued Investments

Hard Rock has long been established in the market as a leading name, and its ambitions for AC are a natural continuation of that. During its fourth anniversary celebration, the Hard Rock AC shared its overall donations to charities were over $1 million. Additionally, last December’s Pinktober campaign resulted in over $1 million in donations for breast cancer research alone.

Expansions, efforts to gain market share, and acquisitions usually involve a large investment, and Hard Rock hasn’t neglected investing in its own most valuable resource – its employees. In September last year, the company raised the salaries for its 10,000 people in its US workforce. The investment was a total of $100 million.

Another notable investment the company made in the US gambling market was its The Mirage acquisition. The bid was made quite some time ago, and Hard Rock made sure to clarify its plans for the venue – reconstruction and no immediate plans for closing the property, which bodes well for both the business, as well as current employees.

Even when constructing new casinos, Hard Rock is making sure that support for the community is high on the priorities list. Its fully-fledged Rockford Casino is slated for a November 2023 launch, but the operator has already made contributions to a well-known local charity. It’s called the Rockford Promise, and many locals are acknowledging the act of good faith by Hard Rock.

Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8) have one win more than their divisional rivals, the Tennessee Titans (7-9), they still might end up without a playoff berth. In fact, it all comes to this – whoever wins the Titans vs Jaguars Week 18 game on Saturday will win the AFC South, thus getting to the playoffs.

So, which team will it be? If you’d like to see what we think, just keep on reading this prediction piece.

Tennessee Titans vs Jacksonville Jaguar Odds

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida
• Date: Saturday, January 7, 2023
• Time: 8:15 PM ET
• How to Watch: ABC

Can Titans End Their 6-Game Losing Streak?

Not too long ago, the Titans looked like a team that was going to raise hell in the playoffs. After 10 games, they were 7-3 and it looked certain that they were going to qualify for the playoffs. However, since then, they’re 0-6 with a couple of shocking losses (e.g., the 19-14 loss to the Houston Texans).

If you’re wondering what happened to the Titans, the answer is injuries. A number of players in key positions got injured over the last couple of months. Some of them have made it back to the roster, which is great news. The bad news is that in the meantime, some others got on IR, most notably, their starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

It’s very likely Tannehill will miss the Week 18 game, which means that backup QB Joshua Dobbs will take the role of the signal-caller on Saturday. He made his first start as a Titan last weekend, when he went 29-for39 for 232 yards and one touchdown, while one of his passes got intercepted. Those aren’t too bad numbers, but his teammates just didn’t make use of his throws.

Still, to be fair to them, they did face one of the toughest defenses in the league – the Dallas Cowboys. This time, their job looks easier, but the trouble is that the Jags are going to be super motivated to get a win.

Jaguars to Cash In on Their Superb Form

The Jaguars are 4-0 since the surprising blowout loss to the Detroit Lions. When they lost 40-14 to the Lions, it seemed as if their playoff dreams are over. However, in their next game, they defeated the Titans, then went on to beat the Cowboys, Jets, and Texans.

Unfortunately for them, that wasn’t enough to secure the no.1 spot in the AFC South. They still need to beat the Titans to do so. Luckily for them, they look like a team that can do it.

Most of their key men are fit and ready for the Week 18 clash. More importantly, their crucial players are playing with confidence, which came after a couple of superb performances. Their QB Trevor Lawrence was nothing short of brilliant in December, throwing for three TDs against the Titans and four against the mighty Cowboys.

He did, however, fail to throw a single TD pass in the Jags’ final game of 2022 (vs Jets) as well as in their first game of 2023 (vs Texans). Is this something that should worry them?

Tennessee Titans vs Jacksonville Jaguars Prediction

The Titans’ strongest weapon this season is their defense. We think these guys have what it takes to tame Lawrence & Co. The problem is that a good defensive performance probably won’t be enough for the Titans.

Their offense doesn’t look very sharp, especially not now that their starting QB is out with an injury. That’s why the only logical prediction is a Jaguars win, albeit minimal (probably by no more than a field goal).

Picks: Jacksonville Jaguars to win; under to hit

The first La Liga round of 2023 brings us a couple of very exciting matchups, the most exciting of which is Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona. Duels between these two are always fun to watch for the fact that both have immense talent on the roster.

This time, it could be even more thrilling than usual, considering that both teams need points. Barcelona needs a win in order to stay on top of the table, while Atleti could get to the no.3 spot with a win on Sunday.

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Odds

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain
• Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023
• Time: 3:00 PM ET
• How to Watch: ESPN+

Barca Clinging onto the No. 1 Spot

On the last day of 2022, Barcelona drew 1-1 with Espanyol, which came as a huge shock as they were -500 favorites. Not winning that game meant that Real Madrid was able to get to even points with them. In fact, the only reason why Xavi’s team is still sitting top of the table is that they got a better score difference than the reigning champions.