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Solo mum’s $2000 a night gambling addiction part of a $32.8m take in Northland

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Solo mum's $2000 a night gambling addiction part of a $32.8m take in Northland
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Solo mum Aysha McDonald would spend up to $2000 a night gambling online and it wasn’t until her bills started falling behind that she got help to quit the habit.

She is among Northlanders who spent a staggering $32.8 million on all forms of gambling last year, including pokie machines and Lotto tickets.

That figure was an increase of $1.1m from the previous year, according to figures released by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).

The figures come as Whangarei-based Nga Manga Puriri, which helps gambling addicts, accepted 15 new referrals in two days in February— the highest number of problem gamblers referred to the service ever.

Nga Manga Puriri manager and problem gambling practitioner Marino Murphy said gambling support service was at “crisis” point, saying poverty drove people to pokie machines in the hope of winning big.

Northlanders spent $7.8m on gambling in the first quarter of last year, $8.2m in the second quarter, $8.2m between July and September, and $8.4m in the past three months of that year.

McDonald said $32.8m was a “lot of money” for Northlanders to spend on gambling in just one year.

Gambling is like drugs because it destroys everyone around you. There’s heaps of support and all people have to do is look up online.

She was introduced to online pokies by a friend about 15 years ago and said the amount of money she spent gambling increased over the years.

It started with $20 or $40, then a couple of hundred dollars and sometimes $2000 overnight. The last couple of years, the addiction got so bad I started falling behind in my bills,” said the part-time spray painter from Ruakaka.

McDonald said she looked online for gambling support services and contacted Nga Manga Puriri.

She hasn’t gambled since last December and said in four months she was on top of her finances and was not missing pokie machines.

The amount of money I’ve wasted on gambling over the years, I could have done so much more for my kids. People just get sucked into it and it’s very hard to quit.

DIA records show there were 305 gaming machines in the Far North, 283 in Whangarei and 60 in Kaipara at the end of last year.

Murphy said while those who sought help made good progress, there were a lot of gambling addicts who were embarrassed to come forward.

Over a couple of days in February, we received 15 referrals which was very high and it shows the problem has become worse over the years. Normally we receive between three to five people a month.

Gambling is something that you can’t see, you can’t smell and it goes undetected until you hit rock bottom,” she said.

Murphy supported calls for pokie machines to be banned.

At the International Gambling Conference in Auckland early this year, Kaitaia-based GP Dr Lance O’Sullivan called for a ban on pokie machines because of their negative impact on families.

Gambling harm is reflected in poverty statistics, housing inequalities and mental health, with Māori being disproportionately affected, he said.

But Whangarei-based Oxford Sports Trust member Don Armitage said statistics showed between 0.3 per cent and 1.8 per cent of adult New Zealanders were deemed to be problem gamblers.

The trust operates 191 electronic gaming machines in Northland.

Armitage said its venue operators identified problem gamblers and excluded them from the venues by a number of ways.

We guide them to go to service providers. Some agree to be self excluded from gaming venues and those that don’t, we issue them with a venue-initiated exclusion order even if it’s against their wishes,” he said.

Armitage said the trust distributed grants from gambling proceeds to education and health sectors, community groups, arts and culture and amateur sports organisations.

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Everything you need to know ahead of ESL Pro League Season 19

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The ESL Pro League (EPL) returns to St. Julian’s, Malta, for Season 19 on April 23 – May 12, 2024. The world’s biggest Counter-Strike league will see teams from around the world arrive on-site for three weeks of non-stop action, and only one team will emerge victorious as Champions.

Here is all you need to know about ESL Pro League Season 19

The 19th Season of the ESL Pro League will see the 32 best Counter-Strike teams compete for a total prize pool of $750,000, a win in the race to secure Intel® Grand Slam V, and a spot at IEM Cologne 2024. Commencing on April 23, contenders from around the globe will face off in Malta for a spot in the Playoffs. There, the six best teams will compete live in front of an intimate live audience at the InterContinental Malta on May 10 – 12, 2024.

Starting with the upcoming season, EPL will see some improvements to its schedule. While the number of teams and the tournament structure remain the same compared to recent seasons, the duration of the tournament has been adjusted to three weeks instead of five. To accommodate this change, two groups will be played simultaneously during the Group Stage, resulting in a more intense story for fans to follow.

Schedule and Format

Group Stage (April 23 – May 5):

  • Four groups of eight teams will compete in separate triple-elimination brackets
    • All matches are best-of-three
  • The top four teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs
    • Group Stage winners advance to the Quarterfinals
    • The Group Stage runner-ups advance to the Round of 12
    • The Group Stage third and fourth-place teams advance to the Round of 16

Playoffs (May 7 – 12):

  • The top sixteen teams will compete in a single-elimination bracket
    • All matches will be best-of-three, excluding the Grand Final which will be best-of-five
    • The third and fourth Quarterfinals, as well as both Semifinals and the Grand Final will be played out live on stage in front of an audience

Teams Attending

  • Astralis (Partner Team)
  • BIG (Partner Team)
  • Complexity (Partner Team)
  • ENCE (Partner Team)
  • FaZe Clan (Partner Team)
  • Fnatic (Partner Team)
  • FURIA (Partner Team)
  • G2 Esports (Partner Team)
  • HEROIC (Partner Team)
  • MOUZ (Partner Team)
  • Natus Vincere (Partner Team)
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas (Partner Team)
  • Team Liquid (Partner Team)
  • Team Vitality (Partner Team)
  • Monte (ESL Challenger Jönköping winner)
  • Virtus.pro (ESL Challenger Atlanta winner)
  • SAW (ESL World Ranking)
  • Team Falcons (ESL World Ranking)
  • GamerLegion (ESL World Ranking)
  • BetBoom Team (ESL World Ranking)
  • Eternal Fire (ESL World Ranking)
  • 3DMAX (ECL S46 Europe winner)
  • FORZE (ECL S46 Europe runner-up)
  • M80 (ECL S46 North America winner)
  • BOSS (ECL S46 North America runner-up)
  • The MongolZ (ECL S46 Asia-Pacific winner)
  • TYLOO (ECL S46 Asia-Pacific runner-up)
  • Imperial Esports (South American Qualifier winners)
  • Sharks Esports (South American Qualifier winners)
  • Pera Esports (European Conference winner)
  • Bad News Kangaroos (Oceanic Qualifier winner)
  • FlyQuest (ANZ Champs winner)

Prize Money (USD)

TOTAL $750,000
1st $170,000
2nd $80,000
3rd-4th $45,000
5th-8th $32,000
9th-12th $23,500
13th-16th $17,500
17th-20th $12,000
21st-28th $7,000
29th-32nd $3,500

Broadcast Talent

  • Hosts
    • “Tres “stunna” Saranthus
    • Freya “Freya” Spiers
  • A Stream
    • Jason “moses” O’Toole
    • Janko “YNk” Paunović
    • Mathieu “Maniac” Quiquerez
    • Harry “Harry” Russell
    • Hugo “Hugo” Byron
    • Henry “Henry” Greer
    • Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill
    • Alex “Machine” Richardson
  • B Stream
    • Neo “Ne0kai” Caine
    • Harvey “Skriv” Rodgers
    • Lucy “LucyLuce” Eastwood
    • Brandon “BDog” Rawlings
    • Travis “Trav” Landaw Mott

Where to Watch

The live broadcast will be available on FACEIT Watch, ESL FACEIT Group’s premier esports viewing platform created by esports fans for esports fans and open for all.

Featuring a unique multi-perspective view selector where users can watch their favorite player’s perspective directly next to the main event stream, a live chat, a kill cam, live-generated replays of key moments, a sound mixer, a rewards program, and more, FACEIT Watch revolutionises esports streaming by putting fans in control of their viewing experience.

Fans can also watch the action on the ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels. For those unable to tune in live, all matches will also be available to watch on-demand for free via YouTube.

For more information about ESL Pro League Season 19, and the latest updates on the event, please visit the official website, and follow ESL Counter-Strike on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

 

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New Market Alert! Hacksaw Gaming Touch Down in Portugal with Solverde.pt

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Another incredible new market launch for Hacksaw Gaming, this time we’re taking a trip to Portugal with Solverde.pt. Exclusively showcasing our content until the 30th of April, this new partnership looks to be one with an exciting journey ahead.

Fan favourites Wanted Dead or a Wild, 2 Wild 2 Die, R.I.P City, Le Bandit and many more are now featured on the Hacksaw exclusive section of the Solverde.pt platform. At long last, Portuguese players can now immerse themselves in the Hacksaw experience, exploring a large catalogue of our games that demonstrate our creative mechanics and stunning visuals.

“Hacksaw has been a top request from Portuguese casino players and we always aim to know the market preferences and deliver what the customers want” says Américo Loureiro, Solverde.pt Director “We’re very proud to bring this groundbreaking studio to Portugal for the first time and have no doubt it will be a success”

Part of Solverde Group, which boasts more than 50 years of history, Solverde.pt was launched in 2017.

They strive to offer the widest casino portfolio in Portugal, prioritising all the fun of casino games with the top quality and safety that SolverdePT users have come to know them for.

Marcus Cordes, Hacksaw Gaming CEO is certain that Hacksaw enthusiasts in Portugal will be ecstatic with this new launch – “Being able to bring yet another growing market our games is what drives us forward! Saúde to a promising future partnership and to the teams who made this happen.”

With this latest launch marking our third new market entry in the past month alone, Hacksaw Gaming’s quest to introduce our collection to players worldwide is rapidly becoming reality. Are we setting the tone for even more groundbreaking ventures in the months ahead? Stay tuned, as we’re on a mission to grow our Hacksaw Community far and wide.

 

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What Types of Resources Help You Find New Online Casinos?

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As online betting and gambling are increasingly getting popular, more and more gambling portals and online casinos are sprouting up every day on the internet. With so many mobile applications and websites offering lucrative options, it can be quite overwhelming and confusing to find new online casinos which are both legitimate and safe. So, how do you make a decision?

This list of resources will help you clear out that confusion and help you analyse your choices more carefully and choose the right new online gambling site for yourself.

Read Reviews on Reputable Review Sites

Online review websites are one of the most reliable sources to ascertain how good a new online gambling site is. With the drastic increase in the number of online gambling portals and casinos, these review sites have become a frequent visit for many gambling enthusiasts. Such websites usually provide comprehensive reviews of different online casinos along with important information about their games, bonuses, payment methods, and customer support.

One pro tip is to look for reviews from industry experts and popular players to ensure you get a credible report and make a more informed decision accordingly.

Check for Proper Licensing

One of the most critical things before signing up for a new online gambling site is to check its legitimacy and licensing. On the portal, make sure to look for a valid license registered under a proper jurisdiction.

This will ensure that the company is a legally registered operation and that your personal and financial data is safe and secure.

Refer to News Websites and Blogs

Another credible way to find good new online casinos is to look through news websites and blogs that specifically talk about the gambling industry. These sites often publish dedicated articles about the latest trends and developments in the industry, including new site launches and promotions.

Often including reviews from experts, articles and blogs on these platforms is a good way to judge a new online gambling site and make your decision. That’s why it is advisable to keep an eye on such portals and stay updated and informed.

Join Online Forums and Communities

I believe that no one can give a better review of an online gambling website other than someone who has been on the portal and played the game themselves. While there are multiple such forums dedicated to the online gambling industry, some online casinos have their own forums dedicated to their players.

Being on these forums and communities is a good way to get in touch with industry experts and experienced players and personally get their reviews and recommendations on online casinos. You can also learn about new casinos, discuss different aspects of online gambling, and connect with other players who share your interests.

Check Social Media Platforms

It’s 2024 and no community is bigger than social media! Be it Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat or even Reddit, almost every individual and business is present over there including online gambling companies. With the easiest access to a very large number of people, online casinos have to maintain their presence and stay active on these platforms.

That’s why many online casinos have social media accounts across many of these platforms where they regularly post updates about their latest games, promotions, and other news. Thus, social media is one of the best ways to search for new online casinos. In fact, by following these casinos on social media, you can stay updated about their offerings and be among the first to know about any new developments.

Consider Bonuses and Promotions

A lot of new online casinos offer generous bonuses and promotional schemes like welcome bonuses, free spins, no or low deposits, etc., to attract new players.  If you ask me, I prefer playing on a portal that asks for the lowest deposits.

For this, I look for a list of low-deposit online casinos and research their bonuses and promotions to make sure they are lofty and worth my time. Do the same while picking out your online gambling website and chances are that you’ll start with a great deal.

Choosing a new gambling site from a pool of hundreds and thousands of casinos can be daunting, especially for beginners. However, using the right resources like review portals, online communities, blogs, etc., can help you indulge in a proper research process. On the other hand, using smart techniques like checking for licenses and promotional offers offered by the company can make the decision-making even smoother.

But at the end of the day, I believe that finding the right new gambling website really depends on how well-informed you are about the industry. Always make sure to stay updated and informed about whatever is happening in the industry and you’ll automatically find it easier to pick your new gambling website.

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