Sports And Politics Don’t Mix – Oh Yeah, Wanna Bet?

The Washington Redskins Organization is urging fans to vote in favor of next months ballot referendum (Question 7) to build a Vegas style casino in PG county.

The NFL has long tried to distance themselves and their players from gambling but there is nothing in the NFL guidelines prohibiting support of such a referendum ballot.

Say what you want about Snyder and the Skins; I actually like the fact he never misses a chance to rub something in the commissioners, and fellow owners, face.

And no, Snyder is not a financial backer of the proposed site. But, they do have an official endorsement with a local hotel which is often used for promotional give-aways.

Question 7 commercials, both for and against, have been proliferating as much as presidential ads recently.

And speaking of presidential politics and gambling, one can even bet on the debate scheduled for tonight. Odds exist for what color tie each candidate will where to the first cliché to be used.

Check them out:

 

In For A Penny In For A Pound

Gambling on the Olympics is big business for the host nation of the Summer Games. The British gambling industry expects to handle anywhere from $75 million to $150 million worth of bets during the Olympics, which would more than double the action from the Beijing Games.

Nearly 1 in 8 Brits will place a bet during the Olympics — about 6 million people in all.

Not only can they bet on who will win or who will lose, but the odds makers across the pond have created a long list of quirky propositions such as:

–          Would a nude streaker disrupt the opening ceremony?

–          Will it rain during the men’s 100-meter race?

–          Will the Olympic Village run out of condoms?

–          Would a flying saucer appear over the Olympic Stadium (1,000 to 1 odds)?

–          What outfit would Queen Elizabeth II chose for the opening ceremony?

Unfortunately the bookies took a killing on that last one because word got out beforehand what the Queen Mum would wear.

Historically, the trend for gambling in England has evolved much like drinking alcohol.  It’s gone from being a sin to being a vice to being a socially acceptable leisure activity.

Gambling has kept up with the modern era as well with online activity becoming an increasingly popular way of not only watching and commenting on the Olympics but also for betting on the Olympics.

This online trend has also changed the nature of betting.  A huge share of Olympic betting is coming from “in-play” action — wagers made while a game is still in-progress.

Of course, with all this money involved, some have raised concerns about how gambling could possibly affect the outcome of the games and competition itself.  Rest assured officials are watching closely and to date, no one has been caught rigging an Olympic event.  Yet. . .

So what do you think?  Should sports betting be allowed as a socially acceptable leisure activity endorsed by all; even here in the USA?

Should countries get more involved with monitoring this activity?

Or perhaps get in on some of the action to help sponsor and finance their respective teams?  (perhaps they already are by collecting tax on earnings)

Do you think this topic is too controversial?

Well, stand by for my next post titled:  Should The IOC Have A CBA?

Until next time:  Be Good, Do Well, Have Fun and good luck 😉

The Green Bay Packers Will Win The Super Bowl

If you believe the bookies, the Green Bay Packers will win the Super Bowl.

Of course they ALL picked the Giants to win last year before the season started. 😉

NOT!

That is why they play the game! Nobody knows. And if you are the gambling type of fan, you can put your money where your mouth is and try and win some big money.

I bet more than one Giants fan did last year. BTW, the bookies have them at 18:1 this year. So go for it. They are not going to repeat!

If you where the betting type, which team do you think is the surest bet?

Which team is the best risk/reward ?

 

Personally, I think the Bears, Falcons and the Lions are most interesting bets at 24:1

So are the 49ers and Texans at 12:1

 

Sorry, I just can’t route for any other NFC East team other than the Redskins.

They are 65:1 to win it all.

TEAM	ODDS
Green Bay Packers	5.3
New England Patriots	6.2
Houston Texans	12.5
Philadelphia Eagles	12.5
San Francisco 49ers	12.5
New Orleans Saints	16.5
Pittsburgh Steelers	17
Baltimore Ravens	17.5
New York Giants	18
Denver Broncos	21
San Diego Chargers	22.5
Atlanta Falcons	23.5
Chicago Bears	24.5
Dallas Cowboys	24.5
Detroit Lions	24.5
New York Jets	28.5
Carolina Panthers	41
Cincinnati Bengals	41
Kansas City Chiefs	45.5
Seattle Seahawks	62
Buffalo Bills	65.5
Washington Redskins	65.5
Arizona Cardinals	75.5
Tennessee Titans	85.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	95.5
Saint Louis Rams	100
Oakland Raiders	110
Miami Dolphins	125
Indianapolis Colts	150
Minnesota Vikings	180
Jacksonville Jaguars	210
Cleveland Browns	250

Taking Fantasy Football To The House

How much you want to bet that Maryland House Delegate John Olszewski Jr. wants to get in on some of the Pay to Play Fantasy Sports Leagues?

In fact, he wants it so much that he is sponsoring a bill in the Maryland assembly to legalize money fantasy football leagues.

Maryland is one of nine states in which residents can enter fantasy leagues but cannot win the cash or prizes.

If successful, the legislation would exempt Marylanders from the states gambling laws and pave the way for him and thousands, perhaps millions, of others to not only freely enter such leagues and contests  but to also stay out of jail!

If unsuccessful, expect him and hundreds of thousands of others from Maryland to perhaps  – –

Move . . .

😉

He’s a Maniac, Maniac!

Yes, start the disco music!

So much for the NFL anti-gambling policy. The NFL was anti-gambling because it could not profit from, or regulate it; until now…

Now, they can get a government endorsed promotion which has the “good for community” spin and of course fan involvement. Virginia historically says that approximately 95% of profits go towards the Public Schools. Though the skeptic in me doubts that applies to an NFL/Redskins endorsed promotion…

All the while getting more revenue from the fans, even the non-ticket holder fans!

How?

Well of course there is always the lure of easy money…

With THREE top prize tickets out there each worth a cool 1 Million Dollars!!!

This hook gets all the normal sports gamblers out of the closet and purchasing tickets.

But the real hook is for all those “I wish I could score some easy season tickets” fans out there!!!

Since you only stand about a 1 in 3 chance of winning anything at all, you can take any loosing ticket and enter it in a “Second Chance” drawing!

And what can you get with the Second Chance Drawing?

What I find most interesting about this second chance prize list is the “value” attached to it. I think these “values” warrant some discussion and perhaps thought, especially regarding any “tax” implications…

Premium Club Season Tickets for 20 Years
Starting with the 2010 NFL pre-season and expiring at the conclusion of the 2029 NFL regular season. Two club seats (in the “Club A” seating area of the Club Level at FedExField) and one orange parking pass to all pre-season and regular-season home games at FedExField. The total prize value (including the taxes contributed on the winner’s behalf) is $273,900.00.

Luxury Suite for One Game
One catered luxury suite for up to 20 people, six purple parking passes and $1,000 in spending money. Good for one predetermined home game at FedExField during the 2009 season. The total prize value (including the taxes contributed on the winner’s behalf) is $29,000.00.

VIP Travel with the Team to Dallas
Round-trip travel on the team plane, local travel on the team bus, hotel accommodations in the team hotel and two tickets to the game. Each winner can bring one guest (at least 18 years old) and will receive $1,000 in spending money. The total prize value (including the taxes contributed on the winner’s behalf) is $15,200.00.

Premium Club Season Tickets
Two club seats (in the “Club A” seating area of the Club Level at FedExField) and one orange parking pass to all 2010 pre-season and regular-season home games at FedExField. The total prize value (including the taxes contributed on the winner’s behalf) is $13,700.00.

Redskins Player for a Day
Authentic one-day Redskins player contract includes: personalized Redskins jersey and player sideline hat, on-stage photo opportunity at Redskins Park behind Super Bowl trophies, Redskins “Chalk Talk” presented to the group by a Redskins coach or member of the Player Personnel Department, VIP tour of Redskins Park and $500 signing bonus. Each winner may bring one guest (18+). The prize value is $3,000.00.

VIP Practice Experience
VIP Practice Invite includes: opportunity to view practice from the sidelines (just as the coaches do), player sideline hat, white-panel Redskins football, opportunity to obtain autographs from players and coaches after practice, Redskins “Chalk Talk” presented to the group by a Redskins coach or member of the Player Personnel Department, VIP tour of Redskins Park and $500 signing bonus. Each winner may bring one guest (18+). The prize value is $3,000.00.

Premium Club Individual Game Tickets
Two club seats (in the “Club A” seating area of the Club Level at FedExField), one orange parking pass, and $500 in spending money. The total prize value is $1,500.00.

Game Worn Jerseys
One authentic game-used jersey signed by a Redskins player. The prize value is $1,000.00.

Authentic Redskins Helmet Signed by Player of Winner’s Choice
One authentic Redskins helmet signed by a current Redskins player, current coach, or available Hall of Fame alumni player or coach of the winner’s choice. The prize value is $500.00.

$500 Redskins Shopping Spree
One $500 Redskins Retail Store gift card. Expiration of the gift card will be no sooner than two years from mail date.

BUT IT GETS EVEN BETTER !!!!

There is not just one second chance drawing…but 9 total drawings!!!

First Drawing – Friday, August 28, 2009
Second Drawing – Friday, September 11, 2009
Third Drawing – Friday, September 25, 2009
Fourth Drawing – Friday, October 9, 2009
Fifth Drawing – Friday, October 23, 2009
Sixth Drawing – Friday, November 6, 2009
Seventh Drawing – Friday, November 20, 2009
Eighth Drawing – Friday, December 4, 2009
Ninth Drawing – Friday, March 26, 2010

And only loosing tickets received between each drawing are eligible for the next drawing.

For example… the first drawing is August 28th. To participate in this drawing,
entries must be received from Monday, August 3 to Thursday, August 27, 2009 11:59 pm.

To participate in the second drawing, you need to send in more loosing tickets between August 28th and September 10.

And so on and so on….

What a great hook!!!

What a great way to syphon even more money from your loyal fan base!!!

I can’t wait to see what other “promotions” gambling schemes the NFL owners will come up with next!

Here is a copy of the official announcement.