Gambling has evolved into different forms. Gambling, primarily, is a form of entertainment. It is a sport involving money, or whatever is at stake, in a game of chance. Gambling or betting began as early as 2300 B.C. Gambling artifacts, like dice, had been found in countries like Egypt, China, India and Rome. In a recent poll, 63% of Americans support legalized gambling. Another 22% agree that it must be expanded. From dice to roulettes and to computer mouse, which form of gambling is for you? Here are some choices:
*Casino games
These are gambling games usually played inside the casino. A player can win with the right tactic and optimistic mathematical probability. Here are some examples:
Poker
Poker is the most popular casino game. It is believed to have been originated from the game ‘as nas’, which is a Persian game. It uses a deck of cards for a series of betting rounds. The player with the best hand wins the pot. Poker is also regarded as a game of strategy and skill.
Online Casino
These are virtual casinos that are played on the internet. The rules are similar with actual casino games but players can either be a real or computer- generated players.
Slot machines
A betting machine that uses a coin to rotate a set of reels usually pulled by a lever. You have to get identical patterns to win.
Roulette
Roulettes were invented by Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, in 1842. It is a simple gambling game where in you have to bet on which number a small ball will hit.
*Gambling with fixed- odds
These are certain types of game where in you have to bet on a specific outcome of a given situation. These include horse racing, baseball, motor racing, jai alai and ice hockey, among others.
*Sports betting
Even though illegal in most countries, sports betting have boomed in the gambling industry. Bets are based on a point system of sports, like baseball or football. Common sports bets are: against the spread, against odds and against a combination of spread and odds.
*Arbitrage betting
You might often see this on the web tagged as risk- free gambling. The concept is to put a bet on a particular result with varied betting groups. Being an investment procedure, it involves a bigger amount of money compared to normal gambling.
Be sure to treat gambling as a pastime, and not a source of money. When engaged in one, set a maximum spending limit. Practice gambling in moderation and don’t let it interfere with your set priorities in life.
A bill that would legalize single-event sports wagering in Canada and is now being debated by members of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons would have a disastrous impact on racing, warns Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson. The bill does not allow for the racetracks to be part of the sports betting universe and, perhaps even more worrisome, it would allow non-racing betting sites to take fixed-odds bets on racing without having to share any of the revenue with the industry.
“This is a real threat to the industry and certainly the Canadian government cannot ignore horse racing in terms of this legislation or they risk, ultimately, putting the horse racing industry under,” Lawson said.
Lawson said that under normal circumstances he wouldn’t expect that the bill, as it is currently written, would go very far. But he fears that the Canadian government is so desperate for money to deal with the numerous expenses that have come about with the pandemic that lawmakers might jump at the opportunity to legalize sports betting and the quick fix it represents.
“This bill has gained momentum,” he said. “The economic realities that COVID has created in terms of health and education costs means it will take years to catch up. Other than increasing people’s taxes, and we are taxed enough in Canada, they have to look for alternative sources of revenue and this is an obvious one.”
According to the website casino.org, the bill has backing from members of the four largest parties in the House of Commons–Liberal, Conservative, Bloc Québécois, and New Democratic–and a member from each spoke in support.
With more and more U.S. states legalizing sports betting in the U.S. and with governments everywhere needing revenue, it is no surprise that efforts have begun to legalize sports betting in Canada. But what sets this bill apart from ones in the U.S. that have made sports betting legal is that it lumps fixed-odds bets on racing in with sports betting. The same firms that are given the green light to take sports bets can also offer fixed-odds sports bets and would not be required to turn over any of the money to the sport.
“We are the producers of the content and we are paying the operating costs of running the races and paying the purses,” Lawson said. “We should be the beneficiaries of fixed-odds betting on horse racing. That’s just common sense. You can’t allow someone else to encroach upon our only revenue source. You can’t take away that revenue source by allowing fixed-odds wagering on a product we are producing and pay to produce.”
While allowing outside firms to profit off of Canadian races is bad enough, Lawson said that it would be particularly troublesome for Woodbine to be left out when it comes to fixed-odds betting, which he believes will be successful.
“Look at Australia, where fixed-odds wagering now accounts for 60% of the wagering on horse racing,” he said. “What if that phenomenon were to repeat itself here and we lost 60% of our wagering? It would put us out of business if we didn’t either control or participate in fixed-odds wagering on horse racing.
“Young bettors, for the most part, don’t like pari-mutuel wagering. They find it complicated. They are used to fixed-odds betting on football. They’re tough to convert to pari-mutuel wagering. Your new audience, new gamblers, it’s likely that they are a fixed-odds person.”
Even if the language in the bill is changed to allow the tracks to operate and profit from fixed-odds wagering, Lawson would not see that as a victory. He wants Woodbine to be among the companies that get a cut of the sports betting pie, which, he reasons, will be so large that it will cannibalize betting on racing. He also sees sports betting as a way to end the need for the subsidies the government is now paying to support racing. In Ontario, the government hands out about $100 million a year to support the sport.
“The Ontario government is subsidizing horse racing through a funding agreement,” he said. “If you want to do the smart thing and totally eliminate any subsidy that we get, let us make up for the money through sports betting. We are not looking for a monopoly. We know there are casinos and others that will be able to take sports bets, we just want to be cut in. We deserve it because of our skill set and our technology. You’d be partnering with a company that is well positioned to conduct sports wagering.”
Lawson said that the solution is for the government to go back to the drawing board and come up with a bill that will include racing’s needs.
“We’ve got a pretty valid argument as to why this legislation needs to just pause and then do it in such a way that it protects the horse racing industry and in so doing allows a company like Woodbine to be a participant,” he said. “Not only would that support horse racing, it would support all the jobs across the country.”
Lawson does not think the bill will be voted on until some time early in 2021. That gives Woodbine and other industry leaders a chance to plead their case and get the language in the legislation changed. But there’s no guarantee that will work, and that is what has Lawson frightened about Woodbine’s future.
“The minute we heard about this bill we put up our hands and said, ‘Wait a second, the horse racing industry and the racetracks have to play a role in this,'” he said. “If not, we could have some very serious problems.”
Prepping for his Group 1 debut in the Longines Hong Kong Mile in three weeks’ time, Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro) confirmed his status as the top horse in Hong Kong with yet another breathtaking victory–his 13th from 14 career runs–in Sunday’s G2 Jockey Club Mile at Sha Tin Racecourse. Last year’s Classic Series sweeper was simultaneously winning his 10th race on the hop, joining the likes of his contemporary Beauty Generation (NZ), Co-Tack (Aus) and Silent Witness (Aus) to take as many consecutive races. In the day’s other main events, fellow Hong Kong Derby winner Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) defeated Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) and Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}), another paternal grandson of the legendary Lonhro (Aus), returned to winning ways in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m).
Miles The Best…
Sent off the $1.15 mortal in the Jockey Club Mile, Golden Sixty landed in midfield and switched off beautifully for his jockey Vincent Ho, as Ka Ying Star (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) galloped them along at a fairly leisurely clip for the opening 800 metres. Patiently handled on the circle, Golden Sixty was produced four wide off the home corner, split Mighty Giant (NZ) (Power {GB}) to his inside and Champion’s Way (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) to his outside and flew his final quarter mile in :21.89 to score with a fair bit of authority. Ka Ying Star held for second over the 8-year-old Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}).
Ho believes Golden Sixty is still a horse on the rise–a scary proposition, to be sure.
“He felt really good and sprinted home really well,” the homegrown rider told HKJC’s Steve Moran, “The main goal was to settle him as normal and to relax him and he hit the line strongly. He will always produce a really good last quarter. I was happy with how he raced, he’s getting quieter and he knows what’s going on now.”
Though he holds an entry for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, Golden Sixty will remain at the mile for International Day Dec. 13.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong JOCKEY CLUB MILE-G2, HK$4,500,000 (£436,925/€489,493/ A$794,645/US$580,459), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:32.91, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 123, g, 5, by Medaglia d’Oro 1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor 2nd Dam: Leo’s Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew 3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg ’17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo ’17 NZBRTR).
O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld);
T-Francis Lui; J-Vincent Ho; HK$2,565,000. Lifetime Record:
Ch. 4yo-HK, 14-13-0-0, HK$38,695,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus)
(Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus, $120,093. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ka Ying Star (GB), 123, g, 5, Cityscape (GB)–Casual Glance
(GB), by Sinndar (Ire). O-Leung Shek Kong; B-Kingsclere Stud;
T-Tony Cruz; J-Chad Schofield; HK$990,000.
3–Southern Legend (Aus), 128, g, 8, Not A Single Doubt (Aus)–
Donna’s Appeal (Aus), by Carnegie (Ire). (A$280,000 Ylg ’14
INGEAS). O-Boniface Ho Ka Kui; B-Corumbene Stud (NSW);
T-Caspar Fownes; J-Karis Teetan; HK$517,500.
Margins: 1HF, NK, 2. Odds: 15-100, 89-10, 17-1.
Also Ran: Mighty Giant (NZ), Champion’s Way (Aus), Harmony Victory (Brz), Simply Brilliant (GB). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
WATCH: Golden Sixty imperious in the Jockey Club Mile
Hot King Prawn Doubles Up in JC Sprint…
The likeable Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}) won the 2018 G2 Jockey Club Sprint and was heavily favoured to take the next step in the International Sprint, only to fade tamely into ninth. Second to his now-retired stablemate Beat The Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) in last year’s Sprint, the 6-year-old will look to go one better next month following a tough-as-teak performance Sunday.
Ridden for at least a bit of pace by Joao Moreira, Hot King Prawn was in the firing line early but ultimately eased back to sit fourth, as Big Time Baby (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) cut out the running outside favoured Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). Three deep and without the benefit of cover rounding the bend, Hot King Prawn went on the attack four off the inside at the 400m, grinded his way to the front with less than a furlong to race and gutted it out. Computer Patch stayed on from second ahead of Rattan (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), who missed the break and hit the line strongly.
“He’s six years old this season, but sometimes our good horses can be that age and still do their best,” winning conditioner John Size told HKJC’s David Morgan. “Hong Kong is a place where mature horses can have an advantage sometimes. He had one start before the Hong Kong Sprint last season because he was coming back off a colic operation, so he was a little bit disadvantaged, so this time he’s probably had a more comfortable preparation.”
Hot King Prawn faces a clash with The Everest hero and recent Hong Kong import Classique Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) in the Hong Kong Sprint.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong JOCKEY CLUB SPRINT-G2, HK$4,500,000 (£436,925/€489,493/ A$794,645/US$580,459), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08, gd.
1–HOT KING PRAWN (AUS), 123, g, 6, by Denman (Aus) 1st Dam: De Chorus (Aus), by Unbridled’s Song 2nd Dam: Val de Grace (Aus), by Centaine (Aus) 3rd Dam: Renasans (NZ), by Ashabit (GB)
(A$90,000 Ylg ’16 INGFEB). O-Lau Sak Hong; B-Torryburn Stud
(NSW); T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira; HK$2,565,000. Lifetime
Record: MG1SP-HK, 21-11-5-2, HK$27,247,300. *1/2 to Siren’s
Fury (Aus) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), MGSW-Aus, $379,420. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Werk Nick Rating: D+.
2–Computer Patch (Aus), 123, r, 4, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–Girl
Hussler (Aus), by Hussonet. (A$800,000 Ylg ’18 INGEAS).
O-Yeung Kin Man; B-Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia Pty
Ltd (NSW); T-Tony Cruz; J-Karis Teetan; HK$990,000.
3–Rattan (NZ), 123, g, 7, Savabeel (Aus)–Grand Princess (Aus),
by Last Tycoon (Ire). (NZ$150,000 Ylg ’15 NZBJAN). O-Wong
Ting Bor; B-M H S & S H R Davison & Mrs M P Schick; T-Richard
Gibson; J-Antoine Hamelin; HK$517,500.
Margins: 3/4, NK, NK. Odds: 29-10, 13-10, 49-1.
WATCH: Hot King Prawn wins a second Jockey Club Sprint
Furore Gets Ideal Set-Up in Jockey Club Cup…
Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) became the second Hong Kong Derby winner to score on Jockey Club day, taking advantage of a perfect trip to best Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Cup.
The mount of Moreira, Furore landed in the box seat and was happy to monitor things from there, as the comebacking Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko) was pressed through a lively early tempo by Exultant. For a handful of strides approaching the entrance to the final 600 metres, Time Warp looked as if he might be able to pinch it, with Exultant off the bridle, but Furore got underway in earnest three abreast at the furlong grounds and edged clear. Exultant was forced to go forward from his high draw, but had to do a bit of work early to clear the positively ridden Playa del Puente (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), the near-upsetter in last year’s Derby. The pace appeared to take its toll on Exultant, but to his credit, he was gaining inches on the winner at the finish and will be suited by the step up to the 2400 metres for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, which he annexed in 2018.
Columbus County (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) ran on nicely for third.
“He travelled very kind, he had the cover that we were hoping for and the pace was quite genuine and when I gave him a clear run, they started to come back and he just kept running and showing his quality,” the ‘Magic Man’ told HKJC’s Declan Schuster of the winner, who remains at the 2000 metres for the Cup.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong JOCKEY CLUB CUP-G2, HK$4,500,000 (£436,925/€489,493/ A$794,645/US$580,459), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:59.32, gd.
1–FURORE (NZ), 123, g, 6, by Pierro (Aus) 1st Dam: Stormy Choice (Aus), by Redoute’s Choice 2nd Dam: Shalbourne, by Nureyev 3rd Dam: Copperama (Aus), by *Comeram
(NZ$210,000 Ylg ’16 NZBJAN). O-Lee Sheung Chau; B-G S A
Bloodstock Pty Ltd; T-Tony Cruz; J-Joao Moreira;
HK$2,565,000. Lifetime Record: MG1SP-HK, G1SP-Aus,
25-8-2-4, HK$33,214,600. *1/2 to Blizzard (Aus) (Starcraft
{NZ}), Ch. Miler & SW-Sin, GSW & G1SP-HK, $2,375,496. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
2–Exultant (Ire), 128, g, 6, Teofilo (Ire)–Contrary (Ire), by Mark
of Esteem (Ire). O-Eddie Wong Ming Chak & Wong Leung Sau
Hing; B-Ballygallon Stud; T-Tony Cruz; J-Zac Purton;
HK$990,000.
3–Columbus County (NZ), 123, g, 5, Redwood (GB)–Spirit of
Sandford (NZ), by Kilimanjaro (GB). (NZ$33,000 Ylg ’17
NZBFEB). O-Mr & Mrs Hamen Fan Shi Hoo, Alex Fan Chen Yen
& Christina Fan Chen Mun; B-D W Mayers & Mrs S J Taylor;
T-Caspar Fownes; J-Vincent Ho; HK$517,500.
Margins: 3/4, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 7-5, 9-10, 9-1.
Also Ran: Dances With Dragon (NZ), Ho Ho Khan (NZ), Singapore Sling (SAf), Playa del Puente (Ire), Chefano (SAf), Time Warp (GB). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
WATCH: Furore defeats Exultant in the Jockey Club Cup
