Japanese media outlets are reporting that the head of the Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) is under the impression that Osaka City’s Integrated Resort (IR) District Development Plan will be approved by Japan’s national government before the end of January. The IR plan includes Japan’s first casino.

An unnamed member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the party in power, is reported to have discussed this possibility with the leadership of the Japan Innovation Party.

As reported in Japanese media and other Asian outlets, MP Nobuyuki Baba said: “Top people of the party have worked on the government and LDP. The party now has come to think that the government would give a decision, which should be positive for Osaka, before the Diet session starts,” MP Baba was quoted as saying late last week.

The next session of the parliament is expected to start in January, having recently concluded an extra session earlier in December.

Leaders Say Time to Act on Osaka Casino

In April the IR plan was submitted to the national government and several politicians including Baba have been urging action on the proposal.

The path to an integrated resort and casino in Japan has been a decades-long quest with only the last several years seeing appreciable progress. The late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was seen to champion the cause.

The full complex, which would include a gambling center operated by MGM Resorts International, is expected to cost some US$8.1 billion to complete based on today’s exchange rates which remain relatively stable.

Integrated Resort to be Built on Reclaimed Island in Bay

The resort is planned to be built on Yumeshima island in Osaka Bay. The location has raised some environmental and other concerns with national leaders who have asked local authorities to weigh in on how those concerns would be addressed.

The artificial island is slated for further construction and local authorities in Osaka have opened a public consultation on the issue that is expected to be open for several months.

Indications are that the resort would not open much before 2030. According to a report by GGRAsia, the current governor of Osaka prefecture recently announced he would run for reelection, and part of his platform would be to “implement a growth strategy in tandem with Osaka city”. The integrated resort and casino project and the upcoming Expo 2025 slated for the island are expected to be the main planks of the growth platform.

Source: Japan govt may nod Osaka IR plan within January: MP, GGRAsia, Dec 23, 2022

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The 80s are back! The decade of glam-rock and wild parties is again available to Play’n GO customers. The newest IP title released by the famous iGaming company, Mötley Crüe, delivers the fun of the 80s and comes hot on the heels of recent release, Wild Falls 2.

Slots and music – what else is needed for the great fun? Play’n GO’s music slot releases, *NSYNC Pop and Lordi Reel Monsters, have been very successful, and the newest release will surely follow in their steps.  

Big hairstyles and big dreams are standouts from this iconic decade. Your leaders on the way to making your dreams real will be members from the band, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, and Vince Neil. They will bring you to the party of your life.

So, let’s get the party started!  

Fantastic features:  

The features in this slot are modern and unique. They include Wild Side, Live Wire, and Girls, Girls, Girls. Players can find them in the base game, and one immersive feature unlocks when the Free Spins round is triggered.   

The Bonus Feature leads players directly to the club. When the doors open, part of the Girls, Girls, Girls video begins. For the true Mötley Crüe fans, this is a great surprise, and it’s not the only music from the band you’ll get to enjoy throughout play.   

The base game features three popular songs: Girls, Girls, Girls, Live Wire, and Wild Side. Additionally, when the Free Spins round is unlocked, one more song awaits players. Shout at the Devil will keep players entertained during the whole round.   

Loads of Excitement:  

This game is full of entertainment and packed with action. Neon visuals, edgy animations, and fantastic music and sound design are sure to make this latest title a fast fan favorite!

Charlotte Miliziano, Head of Games at Play’n GO, said: “We’re so proud of this title. Mötley Crüe is a prime example of how we are constantly and consistently taking our games to the next level. The features in this game are epic. I mean Girls, Girls Girls alone puts players in a music video, how many slots can say they transform into an interactive music video?” 

A lucky feeling

A US war veteran has won over $2m by using his “intuition” to claim the main prize six times in the same lottery draw. Raymond Roberts Sr. won by using the same lottery numbers on each of his tickets.

won the money by playing the multi-state “Lucky for Life” lottery game

The Massachusetts resident explained that he had a lucky feeling about the numbers as they had links to dates that were special to him, such as birthdays and anniversaries. The Massachusetts State Lottery issued a press release about this phenomenal story, detailing that Roberts won the money by playing the multi-state “Lucky for Life” lottery game.

Breaking down the rewards

Roberts bought six tickets for the draw on December 14, matching the first five numbers on each. Roberts ultimately decided to accept a lump sum for five of the tickets. This works out as a $390,000 payment per ticket, totaling $1.95m across the five tickets. For the other ticket, he will receive $25,000 a year before taxes for the rest of his life or 20 years, whichever is longer.

has been using the same lottery numbers for over two decades

Roberts bought the winning tickets at a liquor store in Fall River; he has been using the same lottery numbers for over two decades. It is the first time that he has had significant success in a lottery draw. The owner of the liquor store also benefits – for each of the six winning tickets, the storeowner gets a $5,000 bonus.

A good year for lottery winners

When asked about what he plans to do with the winnings, Roberts said that he first wants to purchase a new motorbike. Then he’ll have a think as to what he will spend the rest of the money on.

Each Lucky for Life play costs $2. The ticket buyer chooses five numbers that between 1 and 48 and one lucky ball number between 1 and 18. Roberts hit the first five numbers and missed the lucky ball.

Roberts isn’t the only interesting lottery winner this year. In November, a 70-year-old woman in Delaware won prizes totaling $400,000 from back-to-back scratch cards. Also last month, a person in California won the $2bn Powerball jackpot, the biggest payout in the history of US lotteries.

The post Man Wins Over $2m After Buying Six Lottery Tickets With the Same Numbers for the Same Draw appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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Germany is well-known for its healing hot water springs, and Bad Fussing is one of the 3 spa destinations of the so-called Lower Spa Triangle. The term refers to 3 wellness towns in southern Germany that offer a holistic approach to health through various spa services. The Bad Fussing casino opened in 1999 with the clear intent to deliver more entertainment diversity in the resort. And it did. Gamblers worldwide visit the town to better their health while not missing any fun.

The casino building has a unique octangular shape and a dome-shaped glass ceiling. The elegant atmosphere is present right from entering the first floor. The lobby is often used as an art gallery displaying paintings by different local authors. A few steps ahead are the 2 floors of gaming space. To get the full details, check out the table below. It shows the main topics of this review and can provide the answers you are looking for.

Bad Fussing Casino Overview

Casino Bad Fussing is a rather small but well-equipped casino. The venue opened in 1999 and has evolved to become much more than a gambling location. The building now features 3.000 square meters of gaming space, a fine-dining restaurant, a concert venue, and a beautiful winter garden. We have gathered the full details down below.

There are a few requirements for playing at the Casino Bad Fussing. First, according to the gambling laws in Germany, visitors must be over 21 years of age, and second, they should follow the smart casual dress code. This means no sneakers, open shoes, or sporty outfits. No need to get fancy, though, get an elegant jacket, and you’ll be good to go.

Before you do, remember that the casino has game-free days, such as national or religious holidays. On these days, the casino is closed, so make sure to check that before you plan your trip. As you can see from the table above, the Casino Bad Fussing opening times depend on the day of the week and the game you would like to play.

Bad Fussing Casino Games

The game variety at Casino Bad Fussing is not overwhelmingly huge but still offers a decent amount of titles in each game category. There are two floors of gaming space with different opening times. Slots and video games can be played on the ground floor, and all table games happen on the second floor.

The two main game categories at Casino Bad Fussing feature many titles and different winning opportunities, starting from huge jackpots to regular poker tournaments. Below we will take a closer look at specific game titles, bets, ongoing progressive jackpots, and all the attractive promotions of the casino.

Slot Machines at Casino Bad Fussing

When it is time for play, gamblers can choose between 90 slot machines on the ground floor and the classic table games on the second floor. The first floor is open from noon until 2:00 from Sunday to Thursday and until 3:00 on Friday and Saturday. Besides slots, you can play electronic games such as Multi Roulette, Electronic Blackjack, Bingo, and Keno. The lowest bet on this floor starts from €0.50.

There are 3 progressive jackpots to go after – the Bad Fussing Jackpot, the Poker Jackpot, and the great Bavarian Jackpot. The Bad Fussing casino games, and specifically slots, have been the reason for several jackpot wins since the casino opened back in 1999. The second biggest jackpot winner in the history of the Bavarian jackpot was also a happy guest at the Bad Fussing casino.

Table Games and Poker Tournaments

The casino reserves the second floor for table games. The options include American Roulette, blackjack, and Dice 52. Poker fans can choose between Texas Hold’em, Bavarian Stud Poker, and Bavarian Texas Hold’em. And if you like to compete, poker tournaments might be the thing for you. All poker tournament dates are listed on the casino’s website, and everyone can enter. Bets on this floor start from €1.

The casino’s website has a lot of gift and promo packages that are worth checking out. You can gift a gambling night out to a friend by pre-buying them a play chip voucher for up to €100 with a few clicks. There is a Lucky Wheel event every last Saturday of the month and a free drink for everyone who wants to celebrate their birthday at the Bad Fussing Casino. If you’re new to table games, the casino offers free introduction classes of card and roulette games.

Dining and Events at Casino Bad Fussing

When hungry, gamblers at the Casino Bad Fussing can try the gourmet menu at the restaurant on the second floor. A clever idea is to buy yourself a fine-dining package that includes a 4-course gourmet menu and up to €75 worth of chips. The restaurant is known for serving local food with lots of fresh ingredients. The big restaurant hall has a relaxing view of the park and its vibrant flower and herb gardens. Guests can also take their food and enjoy it in the winter garden.

Evenings at the Casino Bad Fussing set up the mood for exceptionally good entertainment. The winter garden becomes a stage with 62 sitting places. The events vary from jazz concerts to book readings and even lavish cabaret shows. The full calendar is visible on the casino’s website. Guests can buy show tickets or gift packages online or at the casino.

Fun Activities to Do in the Area of Casino Bad Fussing

As already mentioned, the casino of Bad Fussing is situated in the heart of the resort town. Meaning guests can take full advantage of the wellness oasis and all its attractions with just a few steps. Visiting the pool and spa area is the most standard and relaxing free-time option in Bad Fussing. The healing water has so many health benefits, but if soaking and doing nothing is not your cup of tea, don’t worry.

The resort has its cinema, 18-hole golf course, tennis court, and many hiking options to choose from. Guests can also rent a bike, play volleyball, or try horse riding. Bad Fussing is a good place to visit if you are an art lover. Various concerts, local festivals, and exhibitions fill the casino’s event calendar. One of the most recommended art events is the Bad Füssing’s Spa Orchestra. The 14 musicians perform 12 times weekly and are as famous as the curative waters.

The Best Online Casinos in Bavaria

Gambling at land-based casinos is so much different than playing online. Both methods have great benefits but offer a different overall experience. Casino Bad Fussing has no online version, at least for now. Yet, there are many other safe online casinos in Bavaria. Choose the one that fits your gambling personality most. The list below features some of the leading online casino platforms in the German market.

Of course, all our recommended online casinos are tested and 100% safe to play at. Online casinos have one key advantage, and that is convenience. You can play from the comfort of your couch, but that just means you must be extra careful. Before you click deposit, double-check if the casino has a gambling licence. Keep in mind that the gambling age at Bavarian land-based casinos is 21, but online casinos sometimes accept players aged 18 and above.

Conclusion – A Great Land-Based Casino in Bavaria

The Casino of Bad Fussing is a pretty good gambling destination. It’s located in a beautiful spa town with lots of health and art events to choose from. And most importantly, it has a decent variety of games and tournaments for all gamblers. If you’re ever around the Bavarian Spa Triangle, Bad Fussing Casino is one of the good places to have a wonderful time. It will surely not disappoint.

Popular Questions About Casino Bad Fussing

Let’s hope our review was helpful and provided a good glance at what Casino Bad Fussing can offer its visitors. At the end of our review, we’ve gathered the top 5 most burning questions about the casino on the internet. These are the most searched topics, so we hope you will find the answer you’re looking for.

As New York struggles with competing interests for three Las Vegas-style casinos downstate, with proposals running the gamut from Times Square to Coney Island, Bally’s has nearly crossed the finish line for the first-ever true casino in America’s third-largest city,

According to Bally’s Corp. Chairman Soo Kim, the success of the company’s Chicago casino project – a historical milestone itself – is paramount to the future success of the iconic brand’s current strategic goals.

Kim’s hedge fund, Standard General, acquired a 22% stake in Rhode Island lottery terminal and table gaming casino concern Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc. prior to buying the Bally name from Caesars in 2020.

According to Bloomberg reports, Kim says that a successful launch of the only true casino in the history of America’s third-largest city will be the most important thing the nascent company with a storied brand name will do to date, bar none.

Iconic Brand to Become Household Name

“[This] will be our most important, period,” Kim said regarding the success of the company’s overall strategy. “It’s really an opportunity to re-announce and reintroduce the Bally’s brand name nationally and what better place than Chicago.”

The Bally brand dates back to the late 1930s. The “juice” in the name has assisted the once unheard-of “Twin Rivers” company in a quest that so far has seen it become an operator of gambling properties in 20% of all American states with over a dozen operations across the country.

The Chicago casino has knocked down domino after domino and now only needs approval from state regulators to ready a temporary casino and soon open a historical landmark in gambling history. Steve Wynn couldn’t do it – Sheldon Adelson couldn’t do it, and certainly, Donald Trump couldn’t have done it even if it were on his radar when he controlled three casinos in Atlantic City.

Timing is everything

The American commercial gambling industry has simply exploded online and on land as pent-up consumer energy is released after too much time at home, and sports betting has become commonplace and officially legal and regulated in most states. America has gambling fever as the economy defies traditional logic and players bet like there is no economic downturn in their real worlds.

Land-based gambling is no longer relegated to the meccas of Las Vegas and Atlantic City or the Gulf coast, let alone riverboat casinos or backroom gambling halls. The gates have opened for better or worse and, as Kim said, “The next great frontier are large cities,” according to a story seen on Crain’s Chicago Business.

Not all observers have absolute confidence in the smart business acumen of Kim translating into the wherewithal needed to accomplish what other well-experienced titans of the industry had the opportunity to do but chose not to attempt – Bally’s Corp has simply never executed a project of this magnitude in the physical world. Kim has, however, done far more impressive things with money in another realm – and sometimes, with the right actors who know how to leverage power and delegate authority to competent cohorts, anything is possible.

Almost anyone can imagine a nearly one million square foot casino floor with exhibit space along the Chicago River, an entertainment center worthy of its environs, restaurants to please all visitors, and a hotel with all the amenities needed to serve welcome guests – or could they?

Whether timing is everything or not might be open to interpretation, but striking while the iron is hot after negotiating a perfect position to hold the blacksmith hammer is not as contentious a proposition.

Too Hard to Handle

Mega Casino operators such as Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts chose not to bid on the tender out of concerns over market sustainability and tax rates. As they shifted their focus to other markets like Atlanta and NYC, the Illinois General Assembly dropped the preposterous anticipated tax rate of 70% to a much more manageable 40% after Mayor Lori Lightfoot requested the move to keep the possible tender alive.

Still, the potential for failure is real with over 17,000 video gambling terminals beckoning to gamblers in the region and nearly a dozen other venues in the state and nearby Indiana.

The state gambling commission notes that gambling revenues in the state have not recovered from pandemic lows and a trend toward less gambling has existed for nearly a decade in the state. Observers also log the increased interest in sports betting and online casinos as threats to the venue’s potential success.

Overall, most of the gambling revenue in the state comes from the state lottery.

Kim doesn’t seem too worried about the competition and he’s not a businessman accustomed to failure.

“It would absolutely be our most complex challenge,” Kim said. “We feel more than confident.”

More than 30 million tourists visited Chicago in 2021 and the city is home to nearly 3 million residents placing it just behind Los Angeles and New York City for the size of the population in the city proper.

Bally’s revenues are expected to provide $200 million a year for first responder pensions which are currently underfunded.

The casino will be built on land that formerly held the Chicago Tribune Publishing Center. Final approval by the Illinois Gaming Board is pending. The permanent casino could open in 2026 with a temporary site opening as soon as during the next calendar year.

Source: Chicago’s first casino will relaunch the storied Bally’s name, Crain’s Chicago Business, December 21, 2022

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After a grueling regular season, the men get separated from the boys, and it’s time to get down to the real business. That’s right, we’re talking about the NFL Playoffs.

It’s the goal of every NFL franchise, but only a select few make it to the Playoffs each year, where they fight it out for the right to play in the greatest show in US sports, the Super Bowl.

But how exactly does it all work?

Here we’ll cover everything you need to know about the NFL Playoffs, from the schedule and how it works to reseeding and wild cards.

How Does The NFL Season Work?

The NFL is split into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC).

Each conference has 16 teams, making a total of 32 teams in the whole NFL.

Each team plays 17 times across an 18-week period, typically starting in early September and ending in late December or early January.

After each team has played all their regular season matches, the 14 best teams battle it out to try and win the Super Bowl, the NFL’s overall championship game.

Divisions and Scheduling

The two NFL conferences are also split into divisions of four teams. These divisions are based on geography and historical rivalry from the pre-NFL era.

The AFC is made up of the following divisions:

North: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers.

South: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans.

East: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets.

West: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers.

The NFC is made up of the following divisions:

North: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings.

South: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

East: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders.

West: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks.

The NFL scheduling formula means that teams have a slightly different set of fixtures every year. They always play their divisional rivals twice, but the rest of their schedule is changeable.

The formula is as follows:

• Each NFL team has to play the other three teams in its division twice, once at home and once on the road.
• Each team plays one game against the four teams in another predetermined division within its own conference (which is rotated every three years). Two games at home and two on the road.
• Each team plays one game against every team from the remaining two divisions in its conference that finished in a similar position in their divisional standings in the previous season. One game at home, one on the road.
• Each team plays one game against all four teams from a predetermined division (which is rotated every four years) in the other conference. Two games at home and two on the road.
• Each team also plays one game against another team from a predetermined division (which is rotated every four years) in the other conference that finished in a similar position in the final divisional standings in the previous season.

How The NFL Playoffs work

Played since 1932, the NFL Playoffs are a knockout tournament.

So, if you lose, you go home and it’s back to the drawing board again next season. If you win, you’re one step closer to glory.

Seven teams from each conference fight it out in the Playoffs, with one team from the AFC and one from the NFC competing in the Super Bowl.

The Playoffs only feature the best teams (and usually the best players) in each season, so those golden weeks in the dead of winter provide white-hot entertainment for NFL fans across the globe.

The Playoffs can create unique matchups where even the biggest underdog has a chance.

When Do The NFL Regular Season And Playoffs Take Place?

The NFL regular season begins the weekend after the first Monday of September (Labor Day) and ends in early January.

The Playoffs take place across four weekends from January into February every season. The Super Bowl traditionally always took place on the first Sunday in February.

However, 2020 was the final Super Bowl played on the first Sunday in February for the foreseeable future due to the NFL’s new 17-game schedule.

Super Bowl LVI (2021) was played on the second Sunday in February, and Super Bowl LVII (2022) will follow suit.

Qualification And Seeding

14 teams qualify for the NFL Playoffs. This includes the four divisional champions and three wild cards from each conference.

The four teams with the best record in each conference (NFC and AFC) are seeded one through four. The team with the best record is seeded one, the second-best record is seeded two, and so on.

The two teams with the best record in each conference are then given a bye week (they don’t have to play) in the first round of the Playoffs, which is also known as ‘wild card weekend.’

Teams qualify for the Playoffs as ‘wild cards’ if they have one of the three best overall records (number of wins, losses, and ties) of all remaining teams in their conference.

The wild card teams are seeded numbers five, six, and seven based on their records.

Wild Cards Explained

‘Wild card’ Playoff teams were first introduced to the NFL in 1970, when the modern league was founded, following a merger of the National Football League and the American Football League.

Wild card teams are the three teams with the best records in each conference who do not win their division.

These teams always play on wild card weekend, the week before the divisional Playoffs.

The four division winners in each conference are seeded one to four based on their record, with the #1 seed getting a bye in the first round.

Each wild card team plays one of the divisional winners based on their rankings going into the Playoffs.

Each conference is split as follows:

Division Winner #1 – BYE

Division Winner #2 vs Wild Card #7

Division Winner #3 vs Wild Card #6

Division Winner #4 vs Wild Card #5

So, the better your regular season record, the more favorable your draw is in the Playoffs.

Reseeding In The NFL Playoffs

Throughout the Playoffs, the lowest-seeded team always plays against the highest-seeded team in each round.

The higher-seeded team always plays at home too. So, who you play against and where is always subject to change. This is known as reseeding. 

Reseeding is designed to give a significant advantage to the teams with the best regular-season records.

It also makes it difficult, but not impossible, for wild card teams to make it to the Super Bowl.

Reseeding often impacts the Playoffs and changes the picture for all the teams involved.

For example, both number one ranked teams in the 2022 Playoffs lost in the divisional round.

This meant the number two ranked teams now became number one and had the massive advantage of playing at home in all the rounds before the Super Bowl.

NFL Playoff Bracket

The Playoff ‘bracket’ is the Playoff schedule as it stands at the present time.

The bracket is subject to change depending on the regular season and Playoff results.

Eager fans start thinking about the Playoff bracket and what it might mean for their team’s ambitions as the season nears a close.

2023 Playoff Schedule

Key dates for the 2022 NFL Playoffs are:

First round: January 14-16

Divisional round: January 22-22

Conference round: January 29

Super Bowl LVI: February 12

The Super Bowl will be played at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals.

Lead image: Adrian Curiel/Unsplash

Following the money

A Pennsylvania treasurer has been charged with stealing over $100,000 of public funding which then went to cover vacations and gambling expenses.

“The defendant is a public official entrusted to oversee city funds with integrity and accountability,” said Attorney General and Governor-elect Josh Shapiro in a press release. “My Office will investigate and prosecute anyone who abuses their position of power for their own financial gain.”

thieved $106,000 from 2020-21 while serving in office

The accused is Uniontown’s Antoinette Hodge, who is believed to have thieved $106,000 from 2020-2021 while serving in office. The money was illegally diverted from school and city tax revenues, among other sources.

Pennsylvania treasurer spent tax funds gambling

The City Council launched an investigation in 2021 after more than a dozen taxpayers were informed they were behind despite having already submitted their payments. That tracked back to Hodge and helped lead to the recent accusations.

Hodge created a system that allowed her to commit the offenses by restructuring the flow of responsibility, giving her total control over a variety of important tasks.

“Staff at the City’s Treasurer’s Office testified that various changes were made under Hodge’s leadership, including Hodge taking over filling out deposit slips, taking over as the sole person reviewing the tax account information, and eliminating other checks and balances within the Treasurer’s Office,” said the press release.

The investigation also found that the ex-treasurer spent the money on expensive trips to Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Disney World. She had also planned a trip to Paris.

$500-600 per day on lottery tickets and $500-$1,000 on a gambling machine

When she wasn’t traveling, money was spent funding gambling habits and living a high-roller lifestyle. A Uniontown convenience store manager said that Hodge spent $500-600 per day on lottery tickets and $500-$1,000 on a gambling machine. 

It was also determined that Hodge was a regular at casinos, where she spent over $67,000 in 2022 and $14,000 in 2021. 

What’s happening now

Officials attempted to step in once it became clear that Hodge was not performing her duties as intended, only for her to respond that she was “in charge.” 

“Sometimes weeks would pass before Hodge would actually make a bank deposit,” a process that occurred daily before Hodge restructured the system, read an affidavit. 

eliminating any sort of oversight from the deputy treasurer

The accused also reviewed bank statements for tax accounts each month on her own, eliminating any sort of oversight from the deputy treasurer.

Hodge has been charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking, Receiving Stolen Property, Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received, Misapplication of Entrusted Property, Obstructing Administration of Law or other Governmental Function, and Perjury. She awaits trial and sentencing.

Hodge was elected treasurer of Uniontown in 2019. Her illegal exploits are a dangerous reminder of the harms of potential gambling addiction and overall abuse of power.

The post Pennsylvania Treasurer Used Over $100,000 of Stolen Money for Gambling and Expensive Trips appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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Double-checking my itinerary would have been wise

I have a bit of a history of travel mishaps on my way to Vegas. On one of my earliest WSOP trips over ten years ago, I booked (or thought I had booked) an itinerary that required me to spend a few hours overnight in Heathrow. After idling in terminal one for a while after my arrival and typing up a blog entry, I headed for terminal three, which I was assured was the Virgin Atlantic terminal. Long walk, but sure – didn’t I have all night? I was greeted at terminal three by the sight of VA logos everywhere, which was encouraging. Less encouraging was the absence of any sign of my flight to Vegas on the screens. Hmmmm. Better check the old itinerary. A quick glance at the aforementioned itinerary revealed the source of the problem here: my flight to Vegas from Heathrow was actually from Gatwick.

 just in time to see every shop, food outlet, and tube station in the joint slam its shutters shut

Having no notion of the most economical way of getting from Heathrow to Gatwick but harboring a strong suspicion that the answer wasn’t “TAXI!”, I decided to catch the last train to Paddington. That got me into Paddington around 1am, just in time to see every shop, food outlet, and tube station in the joint slam its shutters shut. Hmmmm. After ascertaining that the best plan of action now was to tube it to Victoria and then catch the Gatwick Express, I was left with the minor problem of what to do for the next four hours until the tube station reopened.

The answer I came up with, and I acknowledge it right here right now to be laughably sub-optimal, was to spend the night in Paddington shivering on a bench like a homeless person, surrounded by actual homeless people. And let me dispel any illusions you might have: spending a night shivering in London’s draftiest and least attractive train station with no food and no toilet and just your overheating and dying laptop battery as your only heat source is not as much fun as you might think.

A few hours into this, I noticed one of my homeless compadres had skulked off somewhere. A little investigation revealed the destination of the skulk to be an inexplicably open, but empty ticket office which afforded considerably more shelter and heat than the concourse benches. Better yet, it boasted a power outlet. As I reveled in the plush surroundings of the floor of the ticket office recharging my laptop and my spirits, I got all philosophical about how even the smallest things can become huge luxuries in the right light.

My reveling and revelation didn’t last long though: a station security guy materialized to chase us back out onto the concourse with shouts of “get out or you’ll have me sacked.” I wouldn’t have thought his job security was a pressing concern to the homeless fraternity, but nobody argued. He shot me a particularly quizzical look: I guess he’d never seen a homeless man in a white Miami Vice jacket clutching a laptop before.

Finally, on my way

My partially regenerated battery got me through ’til 5am, opening time for everything. Hurray! The Circle Line tube ride to Victoria was rendered all the more surreal by the fact that I was the only human in the carriage, and my companion the only bird. Yes, an actual bird of the flying feathery variety was sitting on the seat next to me, looking up at me like he’d never seen a homeless man in a white Miami Vice jacket with a laptop before. I took a picture of him with my phone to prove I wasn’t hallucinating. I also think it’s just as well the ticket conductor didn’t come until after the bird got off at Notting Hill to tell the other birds his “hey, you’ll never guess what I saw on the tube this morning” story, as I’m reasonably certain that the bird was not in possession of a valid ticket.

The Gatwick Express entertainment was provided by the panicky American old lady determined to drive her silent and sullen husband round the twist with very public fretting over them missing their plane. “We have only six hours before takeoff! Are you sure that’s enough time? How long does this train take to get to Gatwick?”

I was tempted to up the ante by telling her “Ah, you’ll be grand, it rarely takes more than five hours,” but the husband looked like it wouldn’t take much for him to snap, so I left it. Instead, I focused on the positives of my frigid night. It probably surprises nobody that knows me that I used to run for 24 hours non-stop for no good reason other than to see how much it could mess me up, that I like to put myself through some sort of pointless ordeal every so often in the view that it “builds character” and “puts things in perspective.” Anyway, when you’ve endured a night like I just had for no good reason other than your own stupidity and lack of attention to detail, you kinda need to find some sort of silver lining.

I tweeted quite a bit about my connection woes this time on the way to the WPT World Championship at the Wynn, and bleated about them on a recent episode of “The Lock In”, so I’ll spare you the threepeat. The cliffs are I missed my connection in Heathrow and after several hours of being shunted from queue to queue, I ended up trying to book an airport hotel only to find them all booked out. My friend Alex O’Brien came to the rescue, and I ended up spending the night in much more salubrious surroundings than that night in Paddington. Alex is the perfect hostess, and had champagne on ice served in gold glasses ready on my arrival.

Didn’t cash, but heard Phil Hellmuth sing

David Lappin and I were staying at the Wynn Encore for the trip, easily my favorite hotel on the strip. I was also blown away by just how well run the entire festival was. I associate playing in Vegas with all the worst of the WSOP: endless registration queues, incompetent staff, dreadful dealers, poor food options. None of these were problems here – it was one of the smoothest-run festivals I’ve ever attended.

Come on, I want to hear you sing.”

I had a tough Day 1 struggling with card death and dropped very low at one point, but managed to bag up a bit more than starting stack. My Day 2 table featured the one and only Phil Hellmuth, who is always fun to play with. We had some good banter when he read a tweet by my co-author Barry Carter suggesting I was a 90s reggae singer. When I declined Phil’s cajoling to sing, he treated us to his own rendition of Drake. My neighbor turned to me and said: “Come on, I want to hear you sing.”

“Trust me, you really don’t. It’s really bad.”

“It can’t be worse than Phil’s Drake.”

Having started the day relatively short, I was teased by doubling my stack in the first session, knocking out a shorty in a flip and winning a few other decent sized pots. Just after the first break, I got in AKs against Jacks for well above average, but couldn’t win this flip.

Side events: two heads are better than one

I fired three bullets at the mystery bounty without making Day 2, coming very close with the second bullet. I had built a big stack, but my Kings lost to QJo near the end of the day.

I also fired two bullets at the 1k on the final day. The first didn’t last long (my Kings got outdrawn by J9 in a three-bet pot), but the second one brought me not far from the bubble. This time my AKs lost to QQ.

By now, I was already technically in the tag team event. After he busted his second bullet, Lappin went and regged us both, happy to play all the hands until I busted in the 1k.

It’s a game of being whittled away, hoping to get a big infusion before you ante out.

This was a tag team event with a difference. While it was technically Hold’em, every pot was a bomb pot. For those unfamiliar with the concept, the dealer deals a hand to everyone and then a flop (so there’s no pre-flop) after everyone antes. This sounds like a lot of fun in theory, and bomb pots are apparently used to enliven cash games. As a tournament format, though, it doesn’t really work. It’s a game of being whittled away, hoping to get a big infusion before you ante out. Every pot is big, but your chances of winning it small (1 in 8 or however many players there are at your table). You need a strong hand to bet into that many players and a strong one to continue facing a bet.

Entire hours went by without a single elimination and a sort of gallows humor engulfed those of us (most of the remaining field) who were kind of regretting our decision to sign up. One guy said it reminded him of the early days when “My friends and I would all play. None of us had a clue so we’d limp every pot, check it down to the river, and then find out who won.”

Team Chip Race was hanging on grimly near the bubble, then got some heat and actually hit the chip lead briefly with six left. Lappin recorded the whole thing for the latest episode of “The Lock In”, which he assures me is his masterpiece as a director. We ended up busting in 4th for just under 5k, a partial trip saver.

Guess who read my book?

In between tournaments I signed a few books for a few folks and was particularly heartened by the number of people taking the trouble to tell me how much they appreciate them. One, in particular, stuck in my memory because of the beautiful way it was worded. As I strolled back to fire my second bullet at the 1k, a tall handsome young guy asked: “Are you Dara O’Kearney?”

“Yes.”

“I just want to say I don’t admire many poker players, but I really admire you for your books and work. I just read GTO Poker Simplified and it made a huge difference to my game.”

He sounded Francophone so I asked his name and where he was from.

“Eliot. From Montreal.”

When I passed on this encounter to my co-author Barry Carter two days later, he said: “You mean the Main Event winner?”

For the first time, I made the connection. The day after stopping to chat with me in the corridor, Eliot Hudon from Montreal had closed out the WPT World Championship for over $4m, defeating Benny Glaser heads up.

Final table changed in a hurry

I’d stopped paying close attention to the Main Event after I busted out, but was aware that Benny Glaser went in as massive chip leader and favorite to win. The general consensus was that with almost half the chips and the most experience, he’d be able to put all the others in an ICM coffin. Everyone else except Eliot was short (sub-20 big blinds) and Eliot had only half his stack. This put everyone but Benny in a horrible ICM spot waiting for others to bust.

It all changed a few hands in. Picking up AJ under the gun, Benny just open shoved. This is a shove that’ll get through most of the time, and Eliot, in particular, needs a very strong hand to call (specifically Kings or Aces). Unfortunately for Benny, Eliot had one of those hands, Kings, and held, flipping not just the stacks but the whole complexion of the game.

the play was profitable, but not optimal

To put it in layman’s terms, it’s similar to betting 35 of the 36 numbers on the roulette wheel, a bet that will usually result in a small profit but occasionally a catastrophic loss. ICM specialist Bungakat (who kindly allowed us to reference some of his sims in our “Endgame Poker Strategy: The ICM Book” posted the results of an HRC sim he ran that indicated the play was profitable, but not optimal.

Let the debate commence

Debate raged through the poker community and the Benny rail over the play. My own view was as follows. Even if the play was optimal (and I don’t believe it is based on the sims I’ve seen) I personally wouldn’t recommend it in this spot. When you’re the most experienced player at the table with a commanding chiplead, you can railroad your way to victory the vast majority of the time with small bets and raises. Preflop solvers don’t account for this kind of future equity and just consider each hand in a vacuum. Before the final table started, I asked several top-class players how often they thought Benny would win from here and they all estimated his chances at 90% or higher, and reckoned that he came second the rest of the time.

it was a 1% risk he didn’t need to take

When he ran into Eliot’s kings and didn’t get there, the stacks flipped, and he was now in the same horrible ICM situation Eliot was at the start (only worse, because the was out of position to him). The fact that Eliot cruised to victory from there underlined this point even further. Yes, Benny was very unlucky to run into the 1% of hands that can call, but it was a 1% risk he didn’t need to take. If the pro assessment that Benny was 90%-plus to win at the start is accurate, this shove ended up costing Benny well over a million dollars in equity.

I ran my own sim for a video with Barry Carter where we discuss the shove, the call, and all relevant factors. That sim also indicates that the shove is profitable but not optimal, and that the optimal play is a min-raise. We shared a cab to the airport with Jack Hardcastle, who concurred. He said he’d have no shoves in this spot, preferring the small ball approach. We both agreed it would be different if it was a super high roller final table with Michael Addamo, Stephen Chidwick, and three other players much better than us. In that instance we’d happily shove and hope.

Eliot’s win was extremely impressive. He handled himself with tremendous poise and grace, giving a very gracious winner’s interview. The delight of his small close-knit rail of actual friends would warm the most withered of hearts. His execution on the day and over the whole tournament suggests this is the start, not the end, for the soft-spoken lad from Montreal.

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