
Certainly one of the best players in the history of ping pong found himself in the global limelight this week, not for their accomplishments in dining table tennis, but instead for their apparent failures at the tables in a casino.
Kong Linghui was such as the Michael Jordan of ping pong, a likeness even to the position in gambling troubles that he allegedly got himself.
Kong Linghui, coach of the women that are chinese ping pong team, was summoned on Monday to return to Asia simply as the 2017 World Table Tennis Championships were getting underway in Germany. He’s been suspended from the united group in the wake of the scandal over gambling debts.
Kong, a 41-year-old champion that is former one of the best players in the real history of this game, was called in a lawsuit filed in Hong Kong that alleged he stiffed the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino in 2015 on almost $720,000 in markers.
Alleged Debts and Gambling Regrets
On Tuesday, Kong posted on Weibo, a popular Chinese social networking site, to explain that the debts weren’t his. He said he visited the casino in Lion City, Singapore, with friends and family, and utilized his personal credit line so they could play while he ‘sat and observed.’
‘It is just until today after media reports have exposed the incident that I discovered some one had kept some debt unsettled utilizing the casino,’ he stated in a declaration (as translated by Bing) on Weibo. ‘we am being dragged in to the lawsuit. I have immediately required the indebted to show up and clarify the known facts.’
Based on the lawsuit filed by Sands against Kong, the casino extended him S$1 million in credit during A february journey in 2015, of which he’s got since compensated back s$550,000. That left an unpaid balance equivalent to US $320,000.
‘we am profoundly disturbed by the impact that is negative of incident in the team,’ Kong wrote. ‘ we will work with my team to eliminate interference and make every work in this World ping pong Championships, and carry on to fight for the honor for the motherland!’
Table Tennis Prince
Kong, referred to as ‘ping pong prince,’ is one of just a choose few competitors to win the grand slam of table tennis games. The table Tennis World Cup, and table tennis events at the Olympics, where he won two gold medals and a silver during his heyday in the late 1990s and early 2000s, he won the World Table Tennis Championships.
The 41-year-old Kong won Olympic gold in 1996 and 2000.
Considered by his contemporaries as one of the most complete and table that is well-rounded players of all time, Kong is credited for shaking up a longtime European male dominance for the sport in the 1990s.
The Chinese government sent him to Sweden to study the great players. He returned to China in 1993 with just what he had learned, and by the final end of 1995 he was the top rated player in the world.
In 2006, Kong retired early at age 30 after crashing his Porsche in Beijing while driving drunk. The Chinese government waived a mandatory 15-day detention because of his sporting success for the united states.
Macau Residents Gambling More Frequently Than in Previous Years
Macau gambling revenues are finally starting to trend in the right direction, thanks to a return into the VIP segment, and mass advertising efforts from casino resorts. But there’s another factor in the reversal of fortune, and that is the local resident.
In early 2016, Macau’s six integrated resort operators launched a local’s campaign that provides various non-gaming perks to city dwellers. But discounted spaces and entertainment packages also resulted in a small bump in the resident gambling rate. (Image: Macau Loves Locals)
Based on a paper published by the scholarly Study of Commercial Gaming at the University of Macau, 51.5 per cent of city residents participated in some type of gambling during 2016. That’s two percent higher than exactly what the poll that is same whenever it was last tallied in 2013.
Funded by the Macau Social Welfare Bureau, the assessment is always to track gambling habits of locals, and monitor whether residents tend to be more prone to developing gambling addictions.
The rate is still greatly lower than the 68 percent who admitted to participating in Macau back in 2003 while the nearly 52 percent majority shows that Macau habitants gamble more frequently than the general Chinese population.
Macau ended Hong Kong billionaire Stanley Ho’s monopoly on gambling after nearly four years in the early 2000s, and has been monitoring the social impacts of the casino industry’s liberalization ever since.
Study Results
Like many other Asian cultures, the Chinese have actually a propensity to gamble due to a strong belief in fortune, fate, and fortune. A vintage gambling proverb in China declares, ‘you do not know how lucky you might be. if you don’t gamble,’
That’s why the Chinese government has banned nearly all forms of wagering throughout its long history. Macau, A portuguese that is former territory only became part of the People’s Republic in 1999.
But thus far, there’s little evidence, at the very least according to the Macau University findings, that residents within the city are experiencing disproportionate gambling addiction rates.
Of the 2,000 respondents surveyed, just 51, or 2.5 percent of the sample, answered in a manner that classified them as ‘probable disordered gamblers.’ And of the in that category, just 10 (0.5 percent of the pool that is total fell in to the ‘severe’ grouping.
Assuming the info is correct, that means just 3,250 of Macau’s believed 650,000 residents are currently suffering from the severe gambling problem. However, the report however concluded that ‘there is still room for individuals to improve their awareness and understanding’ when it comes to gambling disorders.
Video Gaming revenue plummeted from the high of $45 billion in 2013, to $28 billion year that is last as the mainland continues to crack down on allegedly corrupt VIP junket operators in Macau.
More Than Gambling
Macau is in the means of wanting to advertise its reimagining to possible visitors. Long understood for its plethora of casinos, resorts are marketing their amenities first, and gambling a distant second or third today.
A recent Macau tourism report concluded that there are numerous factors that are now actually enticing travelers to your region other than gambling. On the list of key non-gaming facets will be the quality of the resorts, food and drink establishments, duty-free shopping, and events and entertainment.
Ideally, those components will also attract new residents to Macau and strengthen the economy that is local.
The Macau government expects to see visitor arrivals grow five percent overall in 2017. That will create more demand, and theoretically, more jobs.
New City of vegas Logo Met with Disdain by Some Councilmembers for Being ‘Not Serious Enough’
An official ‘City of Las Vegas’ logo that has been unveiled fall that is last receiving mixed reviews from the town council. While many tourists don’t understand it, the city of Las Vegas is distinct from the greater amount of glamourous Strip, and encompasses mainly the downtown Fremont Street area, from a gambling perspective.
The Las Vegas logo design on the left was called away for being not serious enough for the ‘we mean business’ message that Mayor Carolyn Goodman along with other councilmembers want to industries that are potential their city. (Image: City of Las Vegas/Collage: Casino.org)
But a burgeoning business and arts climate has left some of the town’s council feeling that the brand new logo does not mirror its more serious side.
The girly, pink magenta script emblem wasn’t meant to change the city’s longtime existing seal, but alternatively to complement it. However, some bureaucrats believe the brand new logo design is being utilized too often, and in places where in actuality the city should present a more official-looking and business-oriented image.
‘When I look during the logo, that does not say official company to me, and that concerns me,’ Councilman Ricki Barlow said at a recent conference. ‘The seal [on the other side] says official business.’
The problem, based on those voicing concerns over the colorful identity, is that the logo design is not being utilized strictly for advertising purposes. Certainly, the pink Las Vegas font now covers official city vehicles, letterhead, business cards, employee uniforms, and more.
‘ All I’ve seen was basically the disappearing of the populous city seal,’ Barrow concluded.
How We Got Right Here
Of a 12 months and a half ago, the city desired a new marketing identification. Designers submitted 20 ideas, and after councilmembers narrowed them down to four, they opened it up to vote that is public the winner.
Victoria Hart’s Las Vegas logo emerged as the top choose in October 2016. Las Vegas paid her $10,000 for the style, and invested another $50,000 performing the advertising plan that encompassed it.
Among the detractors to Hart’s design is City of nevada Mayor Carolyn Goodman. ‘ We are serious business here at the town,’ she explained of her opposition. Goodman ended up being instrumental in using downtown Las Vegas’ once image that is somewhat shady making it a now-thriving business and arts center that features the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, footwear maker Zappos and also the edgy Container Park retail complex, where previous shipping crates have been converted into storefronts.
But not all 21 dukes similar casino officials concur with Goodman’s assessment. Councilmen Steve Ross and Stavros Anthony said they enjoy the fresh look, while Bob Coffin asked, ‘Have we overthought it?’
No motion to repeal Hart’s logo design was made within a recent council meeting, though the board states it will continue the discussion in July. An online store selling branded materials with the pink emblem is set to launch next week in the meantime.
Too Flashy for Las Vegas?
Some will dsicover it a bit humorous that the town of Las Vegas would get worried their new logo design presents an image that is too flashy. The most celebrated gambling town in the world, both famed and notorious for its nightlife, is the epicenter associated with tourism and hospitality industries.
But the area many site visitors call Las Vegas is located in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester in Clark County. The Stratosphere is the only Strip resort inside the city boundaries, though the northern end of the drag that is main often cited at SLS Las Vegas (the previous Sahara), just south associated with observation tower.
And the most famous Las Vegas sign, the marquee landmark that reads, ‘Welcome to Fabulous vegas,’ marks the southern end of the Strip, and is some 4.5 miles outside of the actual city restrictions.
Despite frequently being referred to as the less chichi cousin of the Strip and all sorts of its glitz and glamor, the City of Las Vegas nevertheless has plenty to crow about these times. Along with its company and arts districts renaissance, Downtown nevada hosts Fremont Street, which can be now outpacing the Strip when it comes to casino revenue percentage gains in current months.
The Holy Grail of Novelty Betting from Next Pope to Bond, Paddy Power
Paddy energy is at it again. The Irish bookmaker constantly offers a slew of eccentric novelty prop wagers, but right now, the British sportsbook is outdoing itself.
Paddy energy is getting its pope mobile back out on the road to promote its papal betting lines. And yes, we believe this holiness that is fictitious smoking a cigarette. (Image: Paddy Power)
Bettors offshore can currently place bets on everything from who will be the next pope, to which actor will change Daniel Craig and step into the iconic role of James Bond. Of program, there is also an excess of betting opportunities surrounding Donald Trump’s presidency.
While Paddy energy’s listings are since comical as ever, they’ve taken a softer tone compared to previous years. The web site received a good amount of debate some in 2008 for asking if newly inaugurated President Barack Obama would be assassinated during his very first term.
Pope Props
At 76 years and 86 times old, Pope Francis ended up being the ninth oldest pope to ever be elected to the papacy in 2013. Now 80, Paddy energy is counting down the times before the Roman Catholic Church will have to locate a brand new leader.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) is the favorite at 5-1, followed by Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana) and Cardinal Marc Oullet (Canada), both at 8-1. US Cardinals Sean O’Malley (10-1), Kevin Joseph (20-1), and Timothy Dolan (20-1) will also be within the running.
But so is U2 frontman Bono, at least according to Paddy energy. The musician and philanthropist is a longshot, however, at 1000-1. Richard Dawkins, an atheist, comes at the devilish odds of 666-1.
Surprisingly, Trump isn’t an option.
Bond Bets
Craig said recently he’d ‘rather slash his wrists’ than play 007 again, meaning Bond producers are scurrying to locate a title actor that is new.
Paddy Power believes it’s Jack Huston’s to(2-1 that is lose, followed by Tom Hardy and Tom Hiddleston (4-1). Several funny longshots consist of Kristen Stewart (90-1), Helen Mirren (175-1), David Beckham (500-1), and Diddy (500-1).
Surprisingly, Trump isn’t an option.
Trump Trending Better
The odds of Trump leaving office before his first term expires are growing longer. Earlier this month, bettors felt there was a decent chance of the commander that is 45th chief being ousted before 2020.
Nevertheless, the favorite on the question, ‘What year will Trump cease to be president?’ is ‘2020 or later’ at 11-10 today. This present year does have the shortest that is next at 13-8, followed by 2018 (10-2) and 2019 (9-1).
Paddy Power is obsessed with the new frontrunner of this world that is free and justifiably so. Trump yields much interest for his from time to time outlandish comments and penchant for social media.
The sportsbook had been even wanting to hire a US expert that is political its newly created position, ‘Head of Trump Betting.’ Paddy Power took a beating on the November US election after it began spending on Hillary Clinton bets prior to Americans shocking the world.
Peace Props
Finally, Paddy energy is preparing to see whom you imagine is certainly going to win the Nobel Peace Prize when it is announced this October.
Pope Francis leads the way at even money, followed closely by German Chancellor Angela Merkel (13-5). The White Helmets, Syria defense that is civil, are at 3-1, and murdered British Labour Party politician and humanitarian Helen Cox is at 6-1.
Notables consist of Barack Obama (22-1) and his wife Michelle (33-1), Leonardo DiCaprio (50-1), and Russian President Vladimir Putin (90-1).
And yes, Trump is an alternative at 25-1.
Casino Gaming in Vietnam Set for Change as Ministry Gets Licensing Powers
Casino gaming in Vietnam operates in something of a place that is strange but a brand new move by the us government could be a sign things are starting to change.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance was provided the power to grant business licenses to casino businesses to help national debt. (Image: saigoneer.com)
Prior to a 2017 decree, many natives that are vietnamesen’t allowed to gamble in the united states’s casinos but foreign visitors could. From the beginning of this year, a government decree (Decree 03/2017/ND-CP) moved to alter this by introducing a three-year pilot scheme that would allow certain residents to gamble.
The general idea is that locals with an income of at least VND10 million (US$443) will be able to gamble in a casino although there have been conflicting reports about how the decree will actually work in practice.
Even though this decree was designed to come into impact on March 15, the national government has yet to issue a statement on how areas should implement the laws.
Ministry of Finance Has Got the Energy
The government has now said that the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Banking and Financial Institutions will have some influence on the regulations despite the lack of movement.
As outlined in a report by VietnamNet May 30, the Ministry of Finance has been offered the capacity to grant companies licenses to casino and video gaming solutions.
During this period, it is confusing what this signifies in practice, but there is an opportunity it could give gaming operators and technology companies permission to operate within the country. What is known, however, is the fact that any business wanting to offer casino-based entertainment must invest a minimal capital of US$2 billion.
Furthermore, potential companies must explain how it will tackle issues such as for instance problem gambling. Overall, the news that is latest still doesn’t give us much more of an insight into how Vietnam’s casino industry will evolve in real terms over the coming months.
Progress is Slow but Still a positive sign
Nevertheless, there is actually a feeling among government officials that progress requires to be made. With GDP slowing down in Q1 of 2017 and debt that is publicas a percentage of GDP) increasing by more than 12 percent since 2011, ministers are now looking for a option to redress the balance.
Allowing residents to pay money in local casinos has been seen as probably one of the most effective ways to try this. Using this being a starting point, an escalation in casino-based activity thanks to newly certified operators could stimulate further spending.
Although some more pieces associated with the puzzle must be lined up prior to the nationwide coffers can reap some great benefits of Decree 03/2017/ND-CP, it certainly looks as though things are relocating the right direction.
