In the USA, millions of dollars are being wagered on obscure table tennis matches in Eastern Europe. Last year in February, in a sparsely filled gymnasium in Poland, two relatively unknown players battled it out in a 14-minute match. Thousands of miles away, an American sports bettor placed an impressive $35,000 bet on the outcome, one of the biggest bets ever placed on the sport.

In 2023 alone, Colorado saw $107 million in wagers placed on table tennis. Data from the Oregon Lottery reveals that table tennis has quietly become one of the most popular sports for betting. In 2023, $57 million was bet on the sport, a dramatic increase from the $18.5 million wagered in 2022. This surge represents 890,000 individual bets. Although table tennis still comes behind basketball, football, and baseball, it now outpaces more traditional sports like tennis, soccer, hockey, and golf in terms of betting interest.

Bettors are even wagering more per game on table tennis than on other sports. The average table tennis bet stands at $66, compared to $24 on NFL games, $34 on Major League Baseball, and $41 on NBA games.

The matches, are often held in rundown gymnasiums with no live audience, announcers, or fans, and have scores kept manually. The players, while skilled, are far from elite.

“It isn’t the highest level. I would consider it club-level. These are serious players but not close to the national team,” said Sean O’Neill, a two-time Olympian. So, why the intense betting interest?

“This is like the crack cocaine of sports gambling,” explained Dr. Ken Pendleton from the University of Oregon. He pointed out that the sheer volume of matches, with new games starting constantly, coupled with their short duration, allows for rapid, repeated betting. The relentless pace and continuous action leave little room for downtime, keeping bettors constantly engaged. Most of them watch these matches on YouTube or directly through betting platforms.

The surge in popularity began during the COVID-19 pandemic when most mainstream sporting events were cancelled. The demand for these table tennis matches was so overwhelming that the number of games skyrocketed, and continues to grow.

“They’ve got players competing 24/7, around the clock,” said O’Neill. “Matches are happening at 3 a.m., 4 a.m., 5 a.m., all because they’re being broadcast for the betting community. Bettors are always looking for the next match.”

In 2020, authorities in Colorado and New Jersey temporarily banned betting on table tennis over concerns about potential match-fixing in Ukraine. However, most of these matches are organised by the TT Elite Series, based in Poland. This organisation has never been implicated in match-fixing scandals and has been diligent in maintaining the integrity of its matches.

Platforms like DraftKings, which stream these games to American bettors, also play a role in safeguarding against match-fixing by closely monitoring betting patterns.

Led by a distinguished board of directors, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has been very much in the headlines recently with the announcement of its lottery licence. Chairman Jim Murren (pictured above) brings extensive experience from the gaming and hospitality industries, including his previous role as Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. Aside from being the Chairman of GCGRA, Murren also has current roles and responsibilities as the chief executive officer at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. His leadership is crucial as GCGRA navigates this transformative period for the UAE’s gaming sector.

The Vice Chairman, Chris O’Donnell, brings extensive experience in real estate and investment from major UAE firms, enhancing the company’s regulatory and investment strategies. He previously served as CEO of Nakheel Properties and Emaar Developments, Head of Real Estate at Al Futtaim Group, and Director at CityCenter Holdings in Las Vegas. Chris currently holds the position of Managing Director at CNN Advisory.

Nicholas Casiello, Jr., is a retired attorney with over 40 years of experience in gaming law. His global perspective on gaming regulations and compliance has been instrumental in shaping the authority’s regulatory framework. In addition to serving as a board member of GCGRA, Casiello is also a part-time advisory council member at Seton Hall University School of Law and a member of the Compliance Committee at Interblock Gaming.

William W. Grounds has provided valuable insights into strategic development and oversight through his experience in managing high-profile real estate investments and serving on gaming company boards. He has served on the boards of MGM Resorts International for eight years. He is currently on the boards of Consumer Portfolio Services and PointsBet Holdings. Grounds has also held senior positions at Lend Lease Corporation, where he managed the Sydney 2000 Olympics Games Project and the NSW and WA Regions.

John Kelly, a partner at the London-based law firm Harbottle & Lewis, specialises in reputation protection, data privacy, and defamation. With over 30 years of legal experience, he has represented high-profile clients globally, particularly in sports law. Kelly is recognised as an authority in his field by Chambers UK, Chambers HNW, The Legal 500, and The Spear’s 500.

Giovanni Lega, a prominent business lawyer with over 30 years of experience in international transactions, offers a global perspective on gaming investments and regulatory issues. He is the founding and managing partner at the Italian law firm LCA. He has previously served as the managing partner of the Italian offices of Freshfields. Additionally, he was the founding chairman of ASLA, the organisation representing leading Italian and international law firms in Italy.

Mark A. Lipparelli is a highly experienced figure in the gaming industry and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Member of Gioco Ventures. He holds leadership positions in gaming companies and advisory boards, including Galaxy Gaming, Inc. and Golden Entertainment. Mark’s extensive background includes serving as a Nevada State Senator, chairing the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and holding senior roles at Bally Technologies, Shuffle Master, and Casino Data Systems. He is also actively involved in gaming technology and regulation.

Issuing the lottery licence represents the beginning of a new chapter for the UAE’s gaming industry. As the GCGRA continues to lead in commercial gaming regulation, its dedication to transparency, innovation, and responsible practises will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of gaming in the UAE.

The GCGRA has made a tremendous advancement in the UAE’s gaming sector by issuing the country’s first-ever lottery licence to The Game LLC. This milestone is a crucial development in the UAE’s gaming industry and may pave the way for the potential legalisation of other forms of gambling, including casinos, in the future.

Established by Federal Law by Decree and based in Abu Dhabi, the GCGRA oversees the regulation, licensing, and supervision of all commercial gaming activities within the UAE. This role is essential in maintaining a fair, transparent, and well-regulated gaming sector.

The GCGRA’s responsibilities include creating and enforcing regulatory frameworks to govern commercial gaming. These frameworks ensure that gaming operations adhere to high safety, quality, and consumer protection standards. The authority manages a clear and transparent licensing process, issuing licences only to entities that meet strict criteria.

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A potential agreement between the PSC (Socialists’ Party of Catalonia) and the Comuns to appoint Salvador Illa as the President of Catalonia has sparked interest as it encloses a decision to halt the development of the Hard Rock macro-project. This proposed leisure complex in Salou, set to feature hotels, a casino, entertainment venues, and a shopping avenue near PortAventura, has been a contentious issue among Catalan political parties and even led to a budgetary dilemma within the Catalan government.

Catalonia, an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, known for its rich cultural heritage, distinct language (Catalan), and vibrant cities like Barcelona. It boasts a diverse landscape, from beautiful Mediterranean beaches to the scenic Pyrenees mountains.

The specifics of the pre-agreement with the PSC and the Comuns’ support for Illa’s presidency have come to light, with Esquerra Republicana signalling approval.

Outlined in a detailed five-point action plan, the agreement emphasises the creation of more public housing, regulating seasonal rentals, promoting educational policies, and enhancing public health services with increased funding and accessible social security psychologists.

One important aspect of the agreement is the opposition to large-scale projects. Although the expansion of Prat Airport is not mentioned, the document clearly states that neither the extension of the ‘Quart Cinturó’ nor the construction of the Hard Rock project in Catalonia will happen during this term in office.

The Hard Rock casino complex, proposed over a decade ago, has been a contentious issue in Catalonia. Initially envisioned as a massive leisure and gaming complex near PortAventura, the project has faced significant opposition. Critics argue it would harm the environment, increase gambling addiction, and promote a mass tourism model that doesn’t benefit the local area. The ongoing drought in Catalonia has further complicated public approval.

Supporters, however, see it as a significant economic opportunity that could boost Catalonia’s GDP. The project has been stalled for years, awaiting a new Urban Development Plan after the original was annulled by the Catalan High Court in 2020. Currently, the approval of the Hard Rock project is a key factor in passing the 2024 budget, with political parties divided on its future. The outcome remains uncertain as negotiations continue.

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The Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macau, Lei Wai Nong, shared that as of June, residents hold 90.3 percent of intermediate or senior management positions at the city's gaming concessionaires, surpassing the required threshold of 85 percent. During a session at the Legislative Assembly (AL), Lei highlighted this achievement as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to boost local employment within the gaming sector.  

According to a report by Macau Business, Lei also noted that the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) has been collaborating with gaming operators to implement an "Employment + Training" plan, designed to offer professional development opportunities for residents. The plan has already seen 21 initiatives launched, with 379 residents successfully beginning their roles.  

Despite this progress, the session also saw Lei come under fire from lawmakers who expressed dissatisfaction with the government's handling of labour-related illegalities. According to the report of the Macau Daily Times, Lawmaker Nick Lei was particularly vocal, criticising the Secretary for failing to address the persistent issue of illegal work in Macau. Nick Lei accused the government of being reactive rather than proactive. He also highlighted the prevalence of illegal services such as unauthorised photography and driving, which are often advertised online and go unchecked by authorities.  

In response, a representative from Lei Wai Nong's team mentioned that the Public Security Police Force (PSP) has been conducting inspections to combat illegal work. However, these efforts were deemed insufficient by lawmakers, who demanded more robust actions.   

The session also addressed broader labour concerns, particularly regarding the treatment of non-resident workers (TNRs) by companies. Lawmaker Ron Lam cited a recent case involving luxury retailer DFS, where employees were pressured to take unpaid leave. Lam questioned the government’s approach to regulating companies that exploit TNRs while maintaining local workers in precarious positions. He also called for greater transparency in the disclosure of TNR numbers and job categories to ensure a fair hiring process.  

In response, Lei Wai Nong mentioned that the government would reevaluate the quotas for companies found violating labour laws, but lawmakers remained sceptical about the effectiveness of these measures.  

While the government's success in increasing local employment in the gaming sector was acknowledged, lawmakers continue to press for stronger actions against illegal work and labour violations in Macau.?