All articles tagged with #gambling
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Valve, arguing its randomized loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 amount to unregulated gambling, since players can resell valuable virtual items via the Steam Marketplace or third‑party sites; the suit also targets Valve’s cash‑out practices and seeks restitution, penalties, and changes to the loot‑box system.
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Valve, accusing its loot-box systems in Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2, and Dota 2 of illegally promoting gambling; the state seeks to permanently stop gambling features, disgorge ill-gotten gains, and impose fines. The lawsuit notes players pay about $2.49 per loot-box key, often receiving items worth less than the key, with rarer items worth thousands, and argues the mechanic resembles a slot machine — a concern given its appeal to minors. Valve has not immediately commented.
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Valve Corp., alleging its loot-box system in popular games such as Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2, and Dota 2 promotes illegal gambling by charging players to open containers for randomly awarded cosmetic items that can be sold for cash, with some items fetching millions. The lawsuit seeks to stop the gambling features, disgorgement of ill‑gotten gains, and fines, citing addiction risks for youths and the ease of cashing out via Valve’s Steam marketplace and third-party sites.
An Epyllion-commissioned report argues that major gaming markets post-pandemic show declining player bases and spend in PC/console and mobile, even as platforms like Roblox drive growth. Money and attention are shifting toward gambling, crypto, social video, AI-enabled adult content, prediction markets, and iGaming, with US and global losses in traditional gaming spend paired with rising bets and online betting. The takeaway: gaming’s post-pandemic problem isn’t just a TikTok preference, but a broader reallocation of time and dollars to alternative entertainment.
A Dear Abby reader reveals her husband’s slot-machine gambling drained about $600,000 of their savings, leaving the couple in their 80s bankrupt and reliant on their son who now controls their money. The wife is depressed by their situation, and Abby counsels discussing finances with the son to adjust his limited support rather than punishing the parents for the husband’s addiction. The column also includes discussion of a separate privacy dispute raised by another reader about home surveillance.
A ProFootballTalk piece argues Drake Maye’s pregame painkilling injection contradicts his claim of feeling great and suggests a real shoulder issue existed, despite full practice participation. It critiques NFL injury reporting for signaling availability over effectiveness and connects the narrative to broader gambling ties in the league, implying inside-information dynamics influence what’s disclosed.
Axios reports that prediction markets and online sportsbooks are normalizing betting in the U.S., enabling wagers on nearly any event—from sports and elections to weather and commentary language—via platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi. The trend, aided by media partnerships and corporate hedging, prompts concerns about addiction, fairness, and regulatory oversight as the gambling culture widens.
Powerball’s Feb. 7 drawing has a $102 million jackpot (cash option $46.8 million). The winning numbers drawn were 42-36-25-51-58 with Powerball 6, and a North Carolina player previously won a $209 million jackpot in January. The article also explains Powerball basics, how prizes are won, and notes online ticket options (e.g., Jackpocket) where allowed.
A federal jury in Los Angeles convicted former Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig of obstruction of justice and making false statements to investigators about his involvement in illegal sports betting; he faces up to 20 years in prison and sentencing is set for May 26, with an appeal planned by his defense.
Federal prosecutors allege a cross-border gambling ring fixed NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games, charging 26 people—including three former DePaul players—for bribing college athletes to underperform for cash, with payments up to $40,000 per game; the investigation spans dozens of players across more than 17 NCAA Division I teams, while DePaul says none of its current players are implicated and authorities continue to investigate.
Federal authorities charged 20 men in a massive point-shaving scheme involving 39 college basketball players across 17 Division I teams, with bribes reportedly ranging from $10,000 to $30,000; the investigation began with attempts to fix games in the Chinese Basketball Association, underscoring growing concerns about corruption in college sports amid widespread sports betting.
Federal prosecutors indicted 20 people—former college players, trainers and gamblers—alleging they rigged college basketball in the U.S. and pro hoops in China through bribery and wire-fraud schemes as part of a broad gambling operation; the case stems from a widening FBI investigation and follows other related arrests.
Families are calling for greater recognition of gambling as a factor in suicides, highlighting the difficulties in having gambling considered in inquests, despite evidence linking gambling disorders to increased suicide risk. The case of Lee Adams, who placed over 600 bets before taking his life, underscores the need for systemic reform and better support for affected families.
In Landman Season 2 Episode 8, Angela uses the Martingale Strategy at the casino to win $90,000, a real betting approach where players double their bets until they win, which experts say can be effective in the short term. The episode also features other gambling-related decisions, highlighting risk-taking themes.
The article outlines various financial changes expected in 2026 due to the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, including large tax refunds, new deductions for seniors and charitable giving, increased SALT caps, and modifications to gambling and estate laws, alongside potential financial challenges from cuts to social safety net programs and higher costs in areas like energy and student debt management.