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How will AI reshape the world? Well, it could be the spreadsheet of the 21st century | John NaughtonPlacing a legal bet in Illinois once required a trip to a racetrack. Then riverboat casinos set sail and eventually made landfall, followed by an ever-growing wave of slot machines installed at bars and restaurants statewide. Now, the advent of mobile sports betting means gamblers can get in on the action anywhere there’s a cell signal. And soon, the full gamut of casino games could be just a phone tap away, too, as lawmakers consider crossing the final frontier of legalized gambling in a state already teeming with temptations. Gaming interests are expected to make a full-court press next year in Springfield to legalize internet casino gambling, known in industry parlance as iGaming, that would bring state-regulated slots, blackjack, poker and more to the palm of your hand. It’s not the first time gaming industry players have pushed to expand Illinois’ sprawling menu of gambling options. Nor is it the first time they’ve faced stiff pushback from business owners who rely on video gaming terminals to draw customers through their doors — or from opponents who warn of a surge in addiction to what some have branded “gambling fentanyl.” But internet gambling could have better odds of advancing in the upcoming legislative session as Gov. JB Pritzker and statehouse leaders scramble for new money to help cover an estimated $3 billion budget shortfall. “In a tough budget year, you’re looking at ways to increase revenue. This is one tool for that,” said state Sen. Cristina Castro, an Elgin Democrat who has introduced iGaming bills that previously fell short. “And it’s something that could be more palatable to constituents.” Proponents estimate the state would rake in $450 million in new tax revenue within a year of allowing Illinoisans to play casino games on their mobile devices, eventually generating up to $800 million a year. Opponents argue it would be a zero-sum game for a state that has more places to bet than Nevada does, when counting Illinois’ 16 casinos, two racetracks and 8,660-and-counting bars, restaurants, gas stations and VFW halls authorized to operate video gaming machines. “When you start letting people play from home, do you think they’re going to go to those places and spend money?” said state Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park. “It’s cutting off the nose and spiting the face.” Potential tax jackpots Illinois government relied on a record-high $2.1 billion in gaming tax revenue in the fiscal year ending in June, including $158 million from casinos, $190 million from sports betting, $848 million from video gaming and $886 million from the lottery, according to the state Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Seven other states that have authorized internet gambling in recent years have seen significant tax windfalls — and surging interest from gamblers. New Jersey casinos reported a record $214 million in gross revenue from internet gambling in November, generating about $32 million in state taxes. Pennsylvania, which taxes iGaming at a higher rate, pulled in almost $86 million in taxes on $200 million in revenue. Gov. Pritzker called the idea “worthy of consideration” for Illinois. His office is drafting its yearly budget proposal, which he’ll present in February and negotiate with lawmakers for passage by the end of May. Pritzker’s administration has overseen a massive gambling expansion that added six new casinos, expanded video gaming and ushered in the sports betting industry — which the governor and state lawmakers slapped with hefty tax hikes last year. Lobbyists for major gambling companies like DraftKings and FanDuel banded together as the Sports Betting Alliance to fight the new graduated tax system before it was passed, threatening to leave the state due to the cut into their profits. But they’re back this time around to push for internet gambling, which the companies offer on their platforms in other states in addition to sports betting. Cannibalizing concerns The ubiquity of casino games could go live within a few months of potential legislative passage in Illinois, with licenses likely tied to partnerships with brick-and-mortar casinos, according to Sports Betting Alliance president Jeremy Kudon. That’s how the state handles sports betting licenses. “All of this iGaming already exists in Illinois,” Kudon said, pointing to illegal online casinos that have long operated offshore. “All we’re trying to do is legalize, regulate and tax it.” He rejected the idea that internet gambling would cannibalize dollars from other corners of Illinois’ saturated gaming market. “People who play online blackjack are not the same people going to bars and restaurants and casinos to play. Those have a certain social appeal and physical element that brings people in,” Kudon said. The companies say they’ve found that internet gamblers tend to be younger than casino or video gaming customers, with demographics skewing toward women with higher salaries who wager no more than $15 per session. “Something entirely on your phone attracts a different customer. It’s almost like mindless entertainment, or meditation. You’re present in this moment, not thinking about anything else,” Kudon said. “For me, it’s more of a relief than Netflix.” Castro agreed, saying “there is enough business to go around. We should do everything we can to shut down the illegal market.” But bar and restaurant owners are worried it would cut into their clientele who are often drawn in by video gaming. Keith Wetherell, executive director of the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association, estimates some businesses could see their revenue drop by 40% if customers have the option to gamble on their couch instead. “It lowers foot traffic in our establishments. That would be devastating to smaller bars and liquor license holders. A good portion of them wouldn’t survive,” Wetherell said. “A lot of these are Mom-and-Pop shops. Gaming helps subsidize health insurance options and keeps people employed. They wouldn’t be able to shoulder that big of a loss.” Those losses would hit local governments that split video gaming revenue at the benefit of large out-of-state gambling corporations, Wetherell said. “Their software isn’t in Illinois. This is a whole lot of money leaving the Illinois economy,” he said. More money would be made if Chicago were to adopt video gaming, Wetherell argued, an idea that Mayor Brandon Johnson has supported but hasn’t pushed to implement. State law allows municipalities to opt out of it. Cabello, the Republican state lawmaker, called it “absolutely, positively stupid” that Chicago bars and restaurants are missing out on video gaming revenue — a windfall the state could use, too. “How stupid can any elected official be, to know that your budget is ballooning out of control, and you don’t allow gaming in your city?” Cabello said, adding that he’d push for legislation requiring Chicago and other Cook County municipalities to allow video gaming. Kudon suggested the iGaming lobby would be open to potentially licensing some video gaming operators to cut them into the action — but Wetherell said he hasn’t seen “any mechanism that would make the system equitable.” ‘Gambling fentanyl’ Other opponents are urging lawmakers to look past the massive dollar signs being flashed by the internet gambling industry and to consider the social costs. “This literally is the equivalent of gambling fentanyl,” said Les Bernal, national director of the Stop Predatory Gambling advocacy group.”This is putting gambling fentanyl on every smartphone, in every living room, every dorm room, every office in the state of Illinois that has an internet connection.” A study commissioned by the state in 2021 found that 3.8% of adults in Illinois, or about 383,000 people, have a gambling problem, with additional 7.7% — about 761,000 people — potentially at risk for developing a problem. Since Pritzker authorized Illinois’ 2019 gaming expansion, he’s set aside additional money in state budgets for gambling addiction treatment programs . Internet gambling supporters also note their technology allows customers to set time and wager limits. None of that makes up for an inevitable rise in an addiction disorder that is closely linked to suicide, Bernal said. “The idea that you have this incredibly dangerous and addictive product, and you’re going to have state officials welcoming it when Illinois has already got as much predatory gambling as any state in America — it’s a threat to public health,” Bernal said. “There’s no grassroots movement for any of this. It’s being driven by very powerful gambling interests with the help of a handful of officials in both parties.” The new General Assembly will be inaugurated Jan. 8. Castro, the Elgin state senator who has supported internet gambling, said she expects extended talks on potential legislation through May.

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Relieved Michael van Gerwen reckons he had to survive some CRAP to make it past Brendan Dolan and reach the next round of the World Darts Championship . The Dutch star played in patches against the Northern Irishman before sealing a 4-2 win. At times, it was vintage Van Gerwen and the clinical edge of a three-time champion. On other occasions, it was not sparkling and shabby as he offered up some opportunities to Dolan. Van Gerwen knows he needs to step it up and explained: “It was tough, it was really hard, it was a really difficult game. Everyone could see Brendan never gives up and I knew that. I had to try and punish him at the right moments and I wasn’t capable. I can only blame myself for that. I was so glad that the last double went in. “After 1-1, I thought I played two good sets, but then I let him slip away with a few things. The fifth set was absolute crap and you are not allowed to do that because he is a fighter and never gives up. You don’t want to put yourself in trouble and I nearly did. “You have to keep performing and believe. There is still a lot of work to do, but I know I am capable of doing it. I’m through. There’s no easy games. “Joe Cullen said to me in the practice room the other day: Mike, you have a good draw. I said: I have Brendan, he beat Gary Anderson and Gerwyn Price last year. Everyone knows I have had a hard year and I have to battle from a big distance far behind. But I’m capable of it.”

Triple M Sydney reveals new look breakfast team with Beau Ryan, Natarsha Belling and Aaron WoodsDirexion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares ( NYSEARCA:LABU – Get Free Report )’s share price gapped down before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $96.24, but opened at $94.00. Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares shares last traded at $94.42, with a volume of 203,924 shares trading hands. Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares Stock Down 4.3 % The firm has a fifty day moving average of $116.47 and a two-hundred day moving average of $123.16. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new stake in Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares during the second quarter valued at about $596,000. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares by 25.3% in the 2nd quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,087 shares of the company’s stock worth $464,000 after buying an additional 825 shares during the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $68,000. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares by 49.3% during the third quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 3,199 shares of the company’s stock valued at $412,000 after acquiring an additional 1,057 shares during the last quarter. Finally, McGuire Investment Group LLC boosted its stake in Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares by 3.9% in the third quarter. McGuire Investment Group LLC now owns 4,633 shares of the company’s stock valued at $596,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. About Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares The Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3X Shares (LABU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry index. The fund provides daily 3 times exposure to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index. LABU was launched on May 28, 2015 and is managed by Direxion. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Warren Buffett's Berkshire hits near six month high

Warren Buffett's Berkshire hits near six month highIncoming US President Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to delay a potential incoming TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office - and has declared himself "one of the most powerful, prolific, and influential users of social media in history." In a major move that would have sent shockwaves throughout the social media industry, the United States' number one court was set to pass a law in mid-January that would have banned the China-owned app that is now dominating teenagers' online lives. The ban was scheduled to take effect just one day before Trump was set to take office for the second time on January 19, 2025. In a 25-page brief filed with the court, Trump asked the nine justices for a stay on the deadline so his administration could “pursue a negotiated resolution” that would “obviate the need” for the justices to issue a ruling on the case. The US Congress passed a bipartisan law back in April of this year, that set a nine-month deadline for the Chinese company that owns TikTok to rid itself of its interest in the app or see it banned from American app stores. Trump's lawyers maede a filing to the court today, and said the president-elect was known for "consummate deal-making expertise." They appeared to be arguing that Trump could negotiate a resolution that would save TikTok from having to be banned while also addressing the US's national security concerns. They said Trump had the "political will" to do this. Congress's bill highlighted numerous national security concerns over the harvesting of US teens' data and influence on US society. Trump has 14.7million followers on TikTok, himself. He had seemed to support the idea of a ban on TikTok and appeared to come close to making it happen in his first term in office. But he has since appeared to have changed his mind and met with TikTok's CEO earlier in December, being quoted as saying he had a "warm spot" in his heart for the app. Trump could ask his Department of Justice to ignore the law passed by Congress or could try to strategically get the law's interpretation reworked. Meanwhile, his lawyers argue he has been given a mandate by votes to protect their right to free speech - and that this includes TikTok users. The filing says: "Moreover, President Trump is one of the most powerful, prolific, and influential users of social media in history. Consistent with his commanding presence in this area, President Trump currently has 14.7 million followers on TikTok with whom he actively communicates, allowing him to evaluate TikTok's importance as a unique medium for freedom of expression, including core political speech."ATLANTA (AP) — Deliberations are underway in Atlanta after a year of testimony in the gang and racketeering trial that originally included the rapper Young Thug. Jurors are considering whether to convict Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, on gang, murder, drug and gun charges. The original indictment charged 28 people with conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Opening statements in the trial for six of those defendants happened a year ago . Four of them, including Young Thug, pleaded guilty last month. The rapper was freed on probation. Stillwell and Kendrick rejected plea deals after more than a week of negotiations, and their lawyers chose not to present evidence or witnesses. Both seemed to be in good spirits Tuesday morning after closings wrapped the previous night. Kendrick was chatting and laughing with Stillwell and his lawyers before the jury arrived for instructions. Kendrick and Stillwell were charged in the 2015 killing of Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as “Big Nut,” in an Atlanta barbershop. Prosecutors painted Stillwell and Kendrick as members of a violent street gang called Young Slime Life, or YSL, co-founded in 2012 by Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams. During closings on Monday, they pointed to tattoos, song lyrics and social media posts they said proved members, including Stillwell, admitted to killing people in rival gangs. Prosecutors say Thomas was in a rival gang. Stillwell was also charged in the 2022 killing of Shymel Drinks, which prosecutors said was in retaliation for the killing of two YSL associates days earlier. Defense attorneys Doug Weinstein and Max Schardt said the state presented unreliable witnesses, weak evidence and cherry-picked lyrics and social media posts to push a false narrative about Stillwell, Kendrick and the members of YSL. Schardt, Stillwell’s attorney, reminded the jury that alleged YSL affiliates said during the trial that they had lied to police. Law enforcement played a “sick game” by promising they would escape long prison sentences if they said what police wanted them to say, Schardt said. He theorized that one of those witnesses could have killed Thomas. The truth is that their clients were just trying to escape poverty through music, Schardt said. “As a whole, we know the struggles that these communities have had,” Schardt said. “A sad, tacit acceptance that it’s either rap, prison or death.” Young Thug’s record label is also known as YSL, an acronym of Young Stoner Life. Kendrick was featured on two popular songs from the label’s compilation album Slime Language 2, “Take It to Trial” and “Slatty,” which prosecutors presented as evidence in the trial. Weinstein, Kendrick’s defense attorney, said during closings it was wrong for prosecutors to target the defendants for their music and lyrics. Prosecutor Simone Hylton disagreed, and said surveillance footage and phone evidence supported her case. “They have the audacity to think they can just brag about killing somebody and nobody’s gonna hold them accountable,” Hylton said. The trial had more than its fair share of delays. Jury selection took nearly 10 months , and Stillwell was stabbed last year at the Fulton County jail, which paused trial proceedings. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker took over after Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville was removed from the case in July because he had a meeting with prosecutors and a state witness without defense attorneys present. Whitaker often lost patience with prosecutors over moves such as not sharing evidence with defense attorneys, once accusing them of “poor lawyering.” But the trial sped up under her watch. In October, four defendants, including Young Thug , pleaded guilty, with the rapper entering a non-negotiated or “blind” plea, meaning he didn’t have a deal worked out with prosecutors. Nine people charged in the indictment, including rapper Gunna , accepted plea deals before the trial began. Charges against 12 others are pending. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case. ___ Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon

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The FTSE 100 rose slightly on Wednesday, led higher by retail and property stocks, as a gauge of US inflation favoured by the Federal Reserve showed prices rising faster. London’s blue-chip index rose 16.14 points, or 0.20%, to end the day at 8,274.75. The gains followed a report that indicated US inflation sped up in October versus a year ago, supporting a more cautious approach taken by Federal Reserve policymakers. The measure showed consumer prices rose 2.3% in October from a year earlier, the US Commerce Department said. Kathleen Brooks, of trading firm XTB, said: “US traders can pack up for the Thanksgiving holiday with little to fear at this stage.” She added that the data “suggests that the Fed is right to tread a careful path when it comes to rate cuts, but it continues to support a gradual easing in Fed policy”. The data seemed to help the UK index, which rose after the US markets opened, with property stocks including Vistry and LondonMetric in the lead. It comes after markets reacted poorly to President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China the day before. At the end of the day in Europe Frankfurt’s Dax index fell 0.18%, while the Cac 40 in Paris fell 0.72%. In New York, a little while after markets had closed in Europe, the S&P 500 had fallen 0.35%, while the Dow Jones was 0.05% higher. On currency markets the pound was trading 0.87% higher against the dollar at 1.2682 and was 0.08 up against the euro at 1.1994. In company news, Just Eat Takeaway said it will abandon its listing on the London Stock Exchange in a bid to cut costs and complexity, in the latest blow to the UK’s markets. The delivery giant wants its shares to keep trading on the Amsterdam stock market, the city where it is based. The company said it had considered the impact of having a main market listing in Amsterdam and a secondary listing in London. It cited the “administrative burden, complexity and costs” associated with keeping its shares in London for its decision to quit, as well as low liquidity and trading volumes of its shares. Just Eat shares fell 2.89% on the news. Meanwhile, luxury car maker Aston Martin alerted over profits for the second time in as many months and tapped investors for more cash. The group revealed plans for the fundraise after the market close on Tuesday as it also warned that underlying earnings would be lower than forecast this year, at between £270 million and £280 million. Aston had already cut its outlook in September. Shares in the firm fell as much as 9% at one stage on Wednesday before finishing 5.47% down. Brent Crude Futures were down 0.14% to 72.22 US dollars at the close of trading. The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Airtel Africa, up 5.15p to 105p, Vistry, up 17.5p to 675p, LondonMetric Property, up 4.3p to 194.3p, Marks & Spencer, up 8.4p to 384.3p, and Tesco, up 7.5p to 357.9p. The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were Entain, down 21p to 783.2p, DS Smith, down 12p to 582p, Kingfisher, down 3.1p to 248.8p, Croda, down 43p to 3483p, and Whitbread, down 35p to 2843p.Mbappe misses penalty as Liverpool exact revenge on Real Madrid

Eagle Point Credit Management Sells 2,388 Shares of ACRES Commercial Realty Corp. (NYSE:ACR) Stock

NEW YORK — Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Greg Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness. “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time,” said Berson. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004. He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — James Dean, the Hollywood icon who captured the world’s attention with his rebellious charm, is often remembered for his roles in classics like “Rebel Without a Cause” and “East of Eden.” But as author Jason Colavito reveals in his new book “Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean,” there’s much more to the story of the star from Marion, Indiana. Colavito’s book uncovers the hidden complexities of Dean’s life, particularly his struggles with his sexuality and how it shaped both his personal and public persona. Dean, who rose to fame in the 1950s, was a queer man navigating a time when such an identity was not only socially unacceptable, but illegal in many places across the U.S. “James Dean was a queer man, and his relationship with his own sexuality was troubled and complex. This really shaped the characters he portrayed on screen and the persona he created in the public eye,” Colavito said in an interview on News 8’s Daybreak. One of the most striking elements of Colavito’s work is the revelation that Dean’s sexuality was kept under wraps through blackmail and financial settlements, a tactic that ultimately impacted his career. In the 1950s LGBTQ individuals faced immense social and legal pressures, and for someone like Dean, the stakes were even higher. “In the 1950s, it was very difficult to be a queer person. It was against the law in many places, and there was both official oppression and a great deal of social condemnation. For someone like James Dean, it forced him to hide his true self,” Colavito said. Dean’s rebelliousness, his iconic ‘misunderstood’ image, and his intense on-screen performances were, according to Colavito, a product of this internal struggle. “All of that came from his experience as a queer person trying to navigate a world that didn’t accept him. His surliness, his misunderstood nature—those traits come from the pressures of living in a society where you couldn’t fully be yourself,” Colavito said. One of the major revelations in the book is the previously hidden relationship between James Dean and Rogers Brackett, a wealthy executive who allegedly blackmailed Dean in exchange for money. Colavito had access to a rare collection of documents, including business and financial papers related to Dean, which revealed the financial settlement Dean agreed to in order to keep the relationship secret and protect his burgeoning film career. “Dean reluctantly paid Brackett in exchange for his silence, all so that Dean could pursue his film career without scandal,” Colavito shared. “Brackett had hoped to use the money for an opera project, and Dean, on the brink of stardom, was forced into this agreement to avoid derailing his rise to fame.” The book not only paints a more human portrait of Dean, but also challenges the way the public has viewed the actor for decades. According to Colavito, the legacy of James Dean deserves more than the glossy, larger-than-life image built by Hollywood. Instead, we should look at the real man behind the myth. “I think the key takeaway from this book is understanding James Dean as a human being, not just as an icon or a movie star. He was a real person, facing real challenges in a world that didn’t accept him. That’s what makes his story even more compelling,” Colavito said. For Colavito, his work aims to offer a more complete understanding of the man behind the famous image— a story that resonates today as many of the same pressures and policies that Dean faced are making a comeback in today’s political climate. Colavito’s book “ Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean ” is on sale now.

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