Betting companies Sportsbet and TAB denied allegations at a Senate inquiry that they offered illicit drugs and escorts to gamblers. Lawmakers also scrutinized gambling ads targeting children and regulatory gaps in proposed reforms.
A parliamentary inquiry into Labor's gambling legislation heard allegations that problem gamblers received cocaine and sex workers, which Sportsbet and Tabcorp denied.
Anti-gambling campaigners Tim Costello and Luke Bateman alleged at a parliamentary inquiry that betting firms Sportsbet and Tabcorp supplied vulnerable customers with cocaine, alcohol and sex workers. The firms deny the claims, saying they have no evidence.
Former rugby league player Luke Bateman alleged to a parliamentary inquiry that gambling companies supplied him with cocaine and alcohol, leading to a $1 million gambling addiction. He detailed VIP managers offering illicit drugs and personalized betting inducements, urging the Albanese government to implement tougher gambling advertising limits.
In East London, the Lift House offers a co-living hacker house experience focused on a balanced lifestyle, contrasting with Silicon Valley's intense startup culture. Residents prioritize well-being and community, aiming to build lasting companies within the growing London tech ecosystem, despite the strong pull of U.S. investors and markets.
Andrea Pirlo's potential appointment as Italy's head coach is facing political backlash due to his ambassadorial role with Russian betting company Fonbet, prompting evaluation by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
Wisconsin Elections Commission warns voters that betting on elections they participate in may disqualify ballots, sparking backlash from prediction market company Kalshi, which calls the law 'voter suppression'. Experts raise concerns over election integrity.
A Berlin court sentences a 32-year-old Chinese medical student to 5 years for aiding aggravated rape, leaving victims and observers, including a Chinese student named Kristina, with mixed emotions over the leniency of the sentence and differing legal approaches between Germany and China.
WuXi AppTec's Hong Kong-traded stock jumped 37% as major shareholders JPMorgan Chase, UBS Group, and BlackRock increased their stakes. The company is set to release its half-year earnings on August 3, with high market expectations.
IBM's market value plunged after CEO Arvind Krishna reported delayed Q2 software deals and a mainframe sales drop. Krishna asserts these are deferrals, not losses, with a third already closed. IBM also launched Lightwell, a $5B AI security initiative targeting enterprise vulnerabilities.
A UK press review highlights Andy Burnham's "Number Ten North" plan, potential North Sea oil drilling, a convicted fraudster's cryptocurrency betting linked to Nigel Farage, and warnings about AI models going rogue.
Yope, a startup building an algorithm-free, private social network focused on "micro communities," secured $12.3 million in funding led by Northzone. The app, with 15 million users, aims to offer a premium, ad-free experience for real-world connections, leveraging AI for games and real-life meetups.
Kalshi, Polymarket, and the casino/gaming sectors are engaged in a lobbying arms race in Washington, spending millions to influence lawmakers amid increasing scrutiny of prediction markets from Congress and regulators over their classification as financial products or sports betting.
A Clasp report indicates two-thirds of healthcare students use prediction markets and betting sites like Kalshi or FanDuel to finance education, with many barely breaking even. The survey highlights significant financial struggles and reliance on non-traditional income sources among students.
Prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi saw $5.57B in World Cup trading volume, pushing the sector into mainstream sports betting. While a few traders captured most profits, the surge highlights potential commercial applications but also intensifies US regulatory scrutiny over whether these platforms are derivatives or gambling.
U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is accused of tipping off a MAGA influencer about Donald Trump's 2024 VP pick, JD Vance, leading to a winning bet on Polymarket. Both Luna and the influencer deny the allegations, which have triggered a Commodity Futures Trading Commission investigation. This follows other White House staffer betting controversies.
Hong Kong police arrested 991 individuals aged 16-93 and seized HK$3 million cash and HK$4.4 million in valuables during a June-July crackdown on illegal World Cup gambling. The operation uncovered HK$365 million in betting records across 249 premises, targeting bookmaking, betting, illegal gambling operations, and money laundering.
BAI Capital's Annabelle Yu Long champions offline consumer experiences in China, despite the AI investment boom. Her firm, which recently raised $800 million, focuses on regulation-neutral, consumer-facing, market-oriented companies, anticipating a shift towards genuine in-person interactions.
Prediction market Kalshi recorded $40 billion in World Cup wagers, sparking skepticism from sportsbooks and regulators who argue it operates as an unlicensed gambling app. Kalshi claims it's a federally regulated financial product, not subject to state gaming taxes or age restrictions, leading to over 20 federal lawsuits and a potential Supreme Court case.
Kalshi is expanding its prediction markets to include wagers on drug trial results, aiming to increase transparency in drug development. This pilot program, in partnership with AppliedXL, faces criticism regarding market manipulation and insider trading. Kalshi also paused plans for flight cancellation bets after FlightAware disavowed data use.
Beijing has expanded its visa-free travel policy for citizens from over 50 countries, leading to a significant increase in foreign visitors. This move, contrasting global trends of closure, aims to boost inbound tourism and allow visitors to form their own perceptions of China, despite existing limits on long-term stay.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched "From Idea to Frontier," an AI accelerator program for Chinese-speaking entrepreneurs, offering up to $100,000 in credits, mentorship, and a global showcase for up to 100 early-stage teams, betting on solo founders building global companies with AI.
Edouard Philippe's campaign is recalibrating its strategy for the 2027 French presidential election following Marine Le Pen's successful appeal against her ban, allowing her to run. Philippe's team plans to attack Le Pen's fiscally left-wing platform, contrasting it with Bardella's more pro-business stance.
The article reflects on the decline of stand-alone TAB agencies in NSW, using the author's childhood memories of the Cessnock TAB as a backdrop. It contrasts the past, where TABs were distinct gambling venues, with the present, where gambling is integrated into pubs, clubs, and accessible via smartphones, leading to a broader participation and the obsolescence of traditional agencies.
