ï»¿Chinese Ping Pong Legend Suspended Over Gambling Debts with Sands Casino in Singapore

Certainly one of the best players in the reputation for table tennis found himself in the worldwide spotlight this week, not for their accomplishments in dining table tennis, but instead for their apparent failures at the tables in a casino.

Kong Linghui had been just like the Michael Jordan of ping pong, a likeness even up to the point which he allegedly got himself in gambling problems.

Kong Linghui, coach of the Chinese ladies’ ping pong team, ended up being summoned on Monday to return to Asia simply as the 2017 World Table Tennis Championships had been getting underway in Germany. He’s been suspended from the 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 annals of this game, was named 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

A popular Chinese social media site, to explain that the debts weren’t his on Tuesday, Kong posted on Weibo. He said he visited the casino in Lion City, Singapore, with friends and family, and utilized his line of credit so they could play while he ‘sat and observed.’

‘It is just until today after media reports have exposed the incident that I have learned somebody had kept some debt unsettled using the casino,’ he stated in a declaration (as translated by Bing) on Weibo. ‘we am being dragged to the lawsuit. I have immediately requested the indebted to show up and clarify the facts.’

According to the lawsuit filed by Sands against Kong, the casino extended him S$1 million in credit during A february trip in 2015, of which he’s since paid back s$550,000. That left an unpaid balance equivalent to US $320,000.

‘we am deeply disturbed by the impact that is negative of incident in the group,’ Kong wrote. ‘ i will work with my team to eliminate interference and make every effort in this global World Table Tennis Championships, and continue to fight for the honor associated with motherland!’

Ping Pong Prince

Kong, referred to as ‘ping pong prince,’ is one of just a choose few competitors to win the grand slam of table tennis titles. 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 gold that is olympic 1996 and 2000.

Considered by his contemporaries as one of the very most complete and table that is well-rounded players of all time, Kong is credited for shaking up a longtime European male dominance associated with the sport in the 1990s.

The Chinese government sent him to Sweden to study the great players. He returned to China in 1993 with exactly what he had discovered, and also by the final end of 1995 he was the top ranked player on the planet.

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 country.

Macau Residents Gambling More Frequently Than in Previous Years

Macau gambling profits are finally starting to trend in the right direction, thanks to a return within the VIP segment, and mass marketing efforts from casino resorts. But there’s another aspect in the reversal of fortune, and that is the resident that is local.

In early 2016, Macau’s six resort that is integrated launched a local’s campaign that provides various non-gaming perks to city dwellers. But discounted spaces and activity packages also resulted in a bump that is slight the resident gambling rate. (Image: Macau Loves Locals)

In accordance with a paper posted by the 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 absolutely was last tallied in 2013.

Funded by the Macau personal Welfare Bureau, the examination is to track gambling habits of locals, and monitor whether residents are far 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 finished Hong Kong billionaire Stanley Ho’s monopoly on gambling after nearly four years in the early 2000s, and it has been monitoring the social impacts of the casino industry’s liberalization ever since.

Study Results

Like many other Asian cultures, the Chinese have a propensity to gamble due to a strong belief in fortune, fate, and fortune. A classic gambling proverb in China declares, ‘you don’t know how lucky you might be. if you do not gamble,’

This is exactly why the government that is chinese 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 so far, there’s little evidence, at the very least according to the Macau University findings, that residents into the city are experiencing gambling that is disproportionate 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 these for the reason that category, just 10 (0.5 percent of the pool that is total fell to the ‘severe’ grouping.

Assuming the data is correct, that means just 3,250 of Macau’s believed 650,000 residents are currently enduring from the severe gambling problem. However, the report nonetheless concluded that ‘there is still room for people to improve their awareness and understanding’ when it comes to gambling disorders.

Gaming revenue plummeted from the high of $45 billion in 2013, to $28 billion last year, as the mainland continues to crack down on allegedly corrupt VIP junket operators in Macau.

More Than Gambling

Macau is in the procedure for trying to advertise its reimagining to prospective visitors. Long known for its plethora of casinos, resorts are marketing their amenities first, and gambling a distant second or third today.

A Macau that is recent tourism concluded that there are lots of factors that are now enticing travelers to your area apart from gambling. Among the list of key non-gaming factors are the quality of the resorts, food and beverage establishments, duty-free shopping, and events and entertainment.

Preferably, those components will even attract new residents to Macau and bolster the economy that is local.

The Macau government expects to see visitor arrivals grow five % overall in 2017. That will generate more demand, and theoretically, more jobs.

New City of Las vegas, nevada Logo Met with Disdain by Some Councilmembers for Being ‘Not Serious Enough’

An official ‘City of Las Vegas’ logo which was revealed last fall is receiving mixed reviews from the town council. While many tourists don’t realize it, the town of nevada is distinct from the greater Strip that is glamourous encompasses mainly the downtown Fremont Street area, from a gambling perspective.

The Las Vegas logo on the left is called out for being not severe enough for the ‘we mean company’ message that Mayor Carolyn Goodman and 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 latest logo does not reflect its more side that is serious.

The girly, pink magenta script emblem was not meant to change the town’s longtime existing seal, but rather to complement it. However, some bureaucrats think the new logo is being used constantly, and in places where the city should present a more official-looking and image that is business-oriented.

‘When we look during the logo, that doesn’t say official company to me, and that concerns me personally,’ Councilman Ricki Barlow stated at a meeting that is recent. ‘The seal [on the other hand] says official business.’

The issue, based on those voicing concerns over the colorful identity, is that the logo is not being used strictly for advertising purposes. Indeed, 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 Exactly We Got Here

Of a year and a half ago, the city sought a new marketing identity. Designers submitted 20 ideas, and after councilmembers narrowed them down to four, they opened it as much as vote that is public the winner.

Victoria Hart’s Las Vegas logo emerged as the top pick in October 2016. Las Vegas paid her $10,000 for the style, and invested another $50,000 executing the advertising plan that encompassed it.

One of the detractors to Hart’s design is City of Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman. ‘ We are serious business here at the populous town,’ she explained of her opposition. Goodman had been instrumental in taking downtown Las Vegas’ once significantly shady image and making it a now-thriving company and arts center that features the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, shoe maker Zappos and also the edgy Container Park mall, where former shipping crates have been converted into storefronts.

But not all officials concur with Goodman’s assessment. Councilmen Steve Ross and Stavros Anthony said they enjoy the look that is new while Bob Coffin asked, ‘Have we overthought it?’

No motion to repeal Hart’s logo design was made during a council that is recent, although the board claims it’ll continue the discussion in July. In the meantime, an on-line store selling branded materials with all the red emblem is set to launch next week.

Too Flashy for Las Vegas?

Some might find it a little humorous that the City of Las Vegas would get worried their new logo presents an image that is too flashy. The most gambling that is celebrated in the world, both famed and notorious for its nightlife, may be the epicenter associated with the tourism and hospitality industries.

But the area many visitors call Las Vegas is found 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 associated with drag that is main frequently cited at SLS Las Vegas (the former Sahara), simply south of the observation tower.

And the most famous Las Vegas sign, the marquee landmark that reads, ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las vegas, nevada,’ marks the southern end of the Strip, and is some 4.5 miles outside associated with city that is actual.

Despite usually 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 Las Vegas is home to Fremont Street, which will be now outpacing the Strip with regards to casino revenue percentage gains in recent months.

From Next Pope to Bond, Paddy Power the Holy Grail of Novelty Betting

Paddy energy is at it again. The Irish bookmaker always offers a slew of eccentric novelty prop bets, but right now, the UK sportsbook is outdoing itself.

Paddy Power is getting its pope mobile back out on the way to promote its papal betting lines. And yes, we think this fictitious holiness is smoking a cigarette. (Image: Paddy Power)

Bettors offshore can currently place wagers on everything from who are going to be the pope that is next to which actor will change Daniel Craig and step into the iconic role of James Bond. Of course, there is an excess of betting opportunities Donald that is surrounding Trump presidency.

While Paddy Power’s listings are since comical as ever, they’ve taken a softer tone than in previous years. The site received an abundance of debate some in 2008 for asking if newly inaugurated President Barack Obama could be assassinated during his very first term.

Pope Props

At 76 years and 86 days old, Pope Francis had been the ninth oldest pope to ever be elected to the papacy in 2013. Now 80, Paddy Power is counting down the times before the Roman Catholic Church will have to locate a new leader.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) is the favourite 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) are into the running.

But so is U2 frontman Bono, at the very least according to Paddy energy. The philanthropist and musician 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 Wagers

Craig said recently he’d ‘rather slash his wrists’ than play 007 once again, meaning Bond producers are scurrying to find a new name star.

Paddy Power believes it’s Jack Huston’s to(2-1 that is lose, followed by Tom Hardy and Tom Hiddleston (4-1). A few humorous 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 office that is leaving their first term expires are growing longer. Earlier this month, bettors felt there had been a decent possibility of the 45th commander in chief being ousted before 2020.

Nonetheless, the favorite on the question, ‘What year will Trump cease to be president?’ is ‘2020 or later’ at 11-10 today. This year does come with the next shortest odds at 13-8, followed by 2018 (10-2) and 2019 (9-1).

Paddy energy is obsessed with the new frontrunner for the free world, and justifiably so. Trump creates interest that is much his often times outlandish opinions and penchant for social media.

The sportsbook had been even attempting to hire a US political expert for its newly created position, ‘Head 21 dukes casino slot games of Trump Betting.’ Paddy Power took a beating on the November US election after it began paying out on Hillary Clinton bets prior to Americans shocking the world.

Peace Props

Finally, Paddy energy is preparing to see whom you would imagine goes to win the Nobel Peace Prize when it’s announced this October.

Pope Francis leads the way at even money, followed 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 reaches 6-1.

Notables include 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 a choice 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 new move by the federal government could be a sign things are starting to change.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has been provided the ability to grant business licenses to casino organizations to help national debt. (Image: saigoneer.com)

Prior to a 2017 decree, most natives that are vietnamesen’t allowed to gamble in the united kingdom’s casinos but foreign visitors could. In the beginning of the year, a government decree (Decree 03/2017/ND-CP) moved to alter this by presenting a three-year pilot scheme that would allow certain residents to gamble.

Although there have been conflicting reports about how the decree will in fact work in practice, the overall idea is that locals with money of at the very least VND10 million (US$443) will have the ability to gamble in a casino.

Although this decree was designed to enter into impact on March 15, the government has yet to issue a statement on what regions should implement the laws.

Ministry of Finance Has the Energy

Despite the lack of motion, the government has now said that the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Banking and banking institutions will have some influence in the laws.

As outlined in a report by VietnamNet May 30, the Ministry of Finance has been offered the charged capacity to grant companies licenses to casino and video gaming solutions.

At this stage, it’s unclear what this implies in practice, but there was a chance it could give gaming operators and technology companies permission to operate within the country. What exactly is understood, however, is the fact that any business wanting to offer entertainment that is casino-based invest a minimal capital of US$2 billion.

Furthermore, potential companies must explain how it will tackle problems such as for example problem gambling. Overall, the news that is latest still doesn’t give us way more of an understanding of how Vietnam’s casino industry will evolve in genuine terms over the coming months.

Progress is Slow but Still a sign that is positive

Nonetheless, there is actually a feeling among federal government officials that progress requires to be made. With GDP slowing down in Q1 of 2017 and general public debt (as a share of GDP) increasing by more than 12 percent since 2011, ministers are now buying a solution to redress the balance.

Allowing residents to pay money in neighborhood casinos has been seen as the most effective ways to try this. Using this as being a starting point, an escalation in casino-based entertainment as a result of newly certified operators could stimulate further spending.

Although some more pieces of the puzzle should be lined up ahead of the nationwide coffers can experience some great benefits of Decree 03/2017/ND-CP, it certainly looks as though things are relocating the right direction.