With fantasy sports betting legalization still an ongoing battle, the NFL has claimed that it is on the verge of expanding and this may entail initiation of a team based in Las Vegas. This comes after New Jersey appealed a case where NF, NBA, MLB, NCAA and NHL had moved to the court in 2012 to block a move by the state in legalizing sports betting. They opposed this since they claimed that match fixing especially on single betting would be frequent and hence tarnishing the fame of the game. According to Brian McCarthy the league spokesman, they were not backing of from blocking the move ever.

However, their move was faced by various problems as some representatives of various teams had other plans. Robert Kraft the owner of New England team joined hands with Steve Wynn Las Vegas casino developer in building a casino believed to be worth $1 billion next to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough back in 2011.

NFL had earlier banned the advert banners in the stadium as a way to deter any casino initiation move. However, it claimed that it would allow advertising money from casinos. The league claimed that this would be accompanied by several rules such that no logos or club marks are present on the advert and that players would receive divides from the income generated from these adverts.

There has been however partnership between fantasy firms DraftKings and FanDuel with 21 league teams, Steelers included. NFL commissioner Roger Goodwell described this as family reunion and said that fantasy sees people come together for fun as they enjoy football. McCarthy echoed these words by saying that generally fantasy football is a non gambling event that entails skills of the game.

Nevertheless, despite all this, NFL was on the front line in cancelling fantasy football conference that was scheduled for 10-12 July at the non-gambling Las Vegas site the Sands Expo. The expected in attendance included Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

The league was later involved in cautioning three Miami Dolphins players from indulging in poker events in Coconut Creek casino, Fla. This attracted criticism from events’ host Andy Slter who claimed that NFL was based on gambling.

It has been a long debate on whether the legalization of fantasy to eventually take place in New Jersey. However, before this is full considered, the judges will have to prove beyond doubt that it would cater for the interest of the game or would concentrate on making huge profits. With the ongoing trend in terms of relation between reality and fantasy betting, there is a high possibility that New Jersey will be accorded with what it desires and this would in turn be a focal point as the whole United States will be guaranteed fantasy betting.

It is however believed that fantasy betting popularity would be low in U.S as many prefer betting on real betting. According to the 1992 federal law passed by Congress, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), it was deemed illegal despite it being staged in selected outlets such as Las Vegas. This didn’t however ban fantasy betting as various states were given mandate to decide on whether to incorporate it or not.

Diehard gamblers, sports fan and betting firms have claimed that Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) a new format of fantasy sport betting is less than real betting. Their reason for this is that in order to have a potential outcome with good profit in DFS, one has to go through a learning process in attempt to achieve some statistical data of the sport. This means that those who just select teams and players without second thought find themselves losing more than they can imagine. There is uncertainty among others who believe that this is gambling as one is placing cash on unsure result with a motive of winning some extra money from it.

In New Jersey, mixed reactions have been evident for a long time now. Back in 2011, populace of the state voted in for legalization of all sports betting in attempt to increase state’s revenue from its’ main gambling city; the Atlantic City. However, the process seemed to defy federal rules and the state government decided to tighten their rules in keep betting locked up. However, this didn’t stop New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, with the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which owns Monmouth Park racetrack in Oceanside to file an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Up to now, the judges have yet to make an official statement on fantasy sports betting in New Jersey. However, many would prefer betting on real betting unlike the less informed fantasy betting. Even the president of Game Sports Networks Dan Orlow gives the state a 50/50 chance of being accorded with fantasy betting but claims that a “yes” would be much welcomed by him.

US gambling case towards Paul Phua Wei-Seng was done away with on Monday after most of the evidence against this businessman from Malaysia and high roller gambler was tossed out by a federal judge. This US District Judge, Andrew Gordon declared that most of the evidence obtained by the FBI for this case was not going to be used by the federal prosecutors. This is because they used subterfuge to acquire access to his hotel room and this went against the Fourth Amendment of the US constitution.

There were two different judges who made a ruling that this was the same case in a couple of decisions that dated back to January 2015. Prosecutors asked the evidence to be reinstated but the ruling made by Judge Gordon has tarnished their hopes. With the inadmissible bulk of evidence, the prosecutors did not have any choice but to set Paul Phua free.

July 2014, was when Paul Phua was arrested at Caesars Palace with other 6 Malaysian Men. This included Phua’s 22 year old son, Darren Phua. The attendants noticed suspicious activities in 3 suites and reported the incident to the management. The management later informed the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The agents from the Control Board coordinated with the FBI to carry out investigations and asked the hotel internet service providers to shut down the internet in these suites. Phua sought for assistance and FBI agents attended to the call guised as the technicians. After seeing what was going on, they obtained a search warrant and raided the suites arresting the men.

All 6 men were arrested and pleaded guilty in 5 cases which saw them deported back to Malaysia. Phua’s son reportedly pleaded guilty because he was said to have grown homesick for Malaysia. With the use of his Vegas based lawyers, Paul Phua won the case and his $2 million bail, his $48 million private jet and passport will be returned to him.

Paul Phua Career

Paul Phua is known as a high roller bettor in poker. Phua is said to be worth between $300 and $400 million. He is said to make his money in two ways. One way would be through his junket operations in Macau. In estimations it’s said that the junket operators made $200 billion per year in the peak years for Macau.

Another source of his wealth would be in an online sportsbook that he was said to operate in the earlier years of his career. About 5 years ago, he made his name as an astute bettor and  player in high stake cash games in Las Vegas. While at it, he became friends with some of the top players in the world.