“A Hundred to One: 100 Convictions, 1 Million Euro, The Devastating Story of a Compulsive Gambler” is a raw and unfiltered account of Pat Sheedy’s life. He began writing this book while serving a three-year sentence in Portlaoise Prison for fraud. In the memoir, Sheedy reflects on his past and he attempts to shed light on society’s misunderstanding of addiction.

Pat Sheedy, from Limerick in Ireland,, was brutally honest about into his lifelong struggle with self-esteem and addiction. Born and raised in Moyross, Sheedy was often the target of bullying due to his physical appearance. His early experiences of feeling out of place, particularly at a prestigious school he attended, laid the groundwork for his future struggles.

Sheedy’s memoir is not just about his battle with gambling; it’s a story of a man’s desperate quest for acceptance and popularity. Despite not being conventionally attractive, Sheedy possessed an outgoing personality and a knack for storytelling. His journey into the world of gambling began at the very young age of 14 when he won an accumulator bet, an event that catapulted him into a life of deception and criminality.

With recent reports indicating that one in 30 Irish adults struggles with gambling, Sheedy’s candid narrative provides a human perspective to these alarming statistics. He dismisses the idea that individuals like him lack intelligence. Instead, he argues that intelligence, coupled with the ability to deceive and manipulate, is a common trait among gamblers.

Sheedy’s life has been marked by a series of fraudulent activities, from forging cheques and stealing ATM cards to cooking the books at a housing project. His actions eventually led to his first suspended jail sentence at the age of 21, with a detective labelling him a “real menace to society.”

However, Sheedy’s life took a turn when he managed to overcome his addiction for over a decade. He leveraged his communication skills to carve out a successful career in marketing with a Dublin magazine. He enjoyed the perks of his newfound social status, driving a BMW and frequently traveling abroad for rugby internationals.

Unfortunately, Sheedy succumbed to his addiction once more, lured back into the world of gambling that had evolved significantly with emerging technologies. His fraudulent activities became more sophisticated, leading to a series of criminal escapades.

Despite the grim nature of his story, Sheedy’s memoir is filled with valuable insights from his numerous Gamblers Anonymous meetings. He shares his experiences and learnings, such as the striking similarity between the dopamine hits from winning and losing bets.

While Sheedy’s narrative occasionally veers off into personal anecdotes about failed relationships and the death of his father, the central theme remains his struggle with addiction. It would be interesting to hear Sheedy’s views on Ireland’s upcoming Gambling Regulation Bill.

Sheedy’s story concludes on a hopeful note. With the support of a counsellor, he won the Writing in Prison Award at Listowel Writers’ Week for his short stories two years in a row, receiving a standing ovation led by actor Stephen Rea. He has since lost significant weight, earned an Open University degree, and begun working with organizations that assist ex-convicts.

Sheedy hopes his memoir will inspire other addicts to reflect on their behaviour.

(Featured photo: Author Pat Sheedy on the right with Michael D Higgins, President of the Republic of Ireland)

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Australia's former political leaders John Howard (photo above left), and Malcolm Turnbull (photo above right), have joined forces with other prominent Australians in a call for a ban on gambling ads. The Australian government finds itself at the centre of a storm, tasked with the monumental responsibility of resolving the online gambling advertising conundrum. The critical decision that lies ahead - to enforce a ban or permit the persistence of online gambling advertisements - is one that will indelibly shape the trajectory of online gambling in the nation. The gravity of this decision cannot be understated.

The Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGR), backed by these influential figures, has issued an open letter demanding that the government and opposition commit to implementing all 31 recommendations from the Murphy report. This report, chaired by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, advocates for a phased three-year ban on all forms of online gambling advertising.

The AGR warns of the escalating social harm caused by Australia’s “gambling addiction”, including financial loss, health and mental health issues, partner violence, family break up, and suicide. The letter highlights the insidious tactics of gambling companies, which are allegedly grooming children as young as 14 through social media.

The inundation of gambling ads, particularly during major sporting events, is seen as a significant factor in ensnaring a new generation of gamblers. AGR’s chief advocate, Tim Costello, has vowed to intensify pressure on the government as the election approaches.

Despite the government’s fear of backlash from gambling companies and media organisations profiting from their advertising, the AGR remains steadfast in its mission. The alliance believes that a total ban on all gambling advertising is essential to protect children and prevent the devastating consequences of gambling addiction.

The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has acknowledged the concerns of gambling companies and is awaiting the government’s proposal. Meanwhile, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has affirmed the government’s commitment to minimising harms from online wagering.

As Australians lose $25 billion a year to gambling, the real cost of inaction is becoming increasingly apparent. The question remains whether the government will heed the call for a total ban on online gambling advertising, or will it succumb to the vested interests of the gambling industry?

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In the USA, millions of dollars are being wagered on obscure table tennis matches in Eastern Europe. Last year in February, in a sparsely filled gymnasium in Poland, two relatively unknown players battled it out in a 14-minute match. Thousands of miles away, an American sports bettor placed an impressive $35,000 bet on the outcome, one of the biggest bets ever placed on the sport.

In 2023 alone, Colorado saw $107 million in wagers placed on table tennis. Data from the Oregon Lottery reveals that table tennis has quietly become one of the most popular sports for betting. In 2023, $57 million was bet on the sport, a dramatic increase from the $18.5 million wagered in 2022. This surge represents 890,000 individual bets. Although table tennis still comes behind basketball, football, and baseball, it now outpaces more traditional sports like tennis, soccer, hockey, and golf in terms of betting interest.

Bettors are even wagering more per game on table tennis than on other sports. The average table tennis bet stands at $66, compared to $24 on NFL games, $34 on Major League Baseball, and $41 on NBA games.

The matches, are often held in rundown gymnasiums with no live audience, announcers, or fans, and have scores kept manually. The players, while skilled, are far from elite.

“It isn’t the highest level. I would consider it club-level. These are serious players but not close to the national team,” said Sean O’Neill, a two-time Olympian. So, why the intense betting interest?

“This is like the crack cocaine of sports gambling,” explained Dr. Ken Pendleton from the University of Oregon. He pointed out that the sheer volume of matches, with new games starting constantly, coupled with their short duration, allows for rapid, repeated betting. The relentless pace and continuous action leave little room for downtime, keeping bettors constantly engaged. Most of them watch these matches on YouTube or directly through betting platforms.

The surge in popularity began during the COVID-19 pandemic when most mainstream sporting events were cancelled. The demand for these table tennis matches was so overwhelming that the number of games skyrocketed, and continues to grow.

“They’ve got players competing 24/7, around the clock,” said O’Neill. “Matches are happening at 3 a.m., 4 a.m., 5 a.m., all because they’re being broadcast for the betting community. Bettors are always looking for the next match.”

In 2020, authorities in Colorado and New Jersey temporarily banned betting on table tennis over concerns about potential match-fixing in Ukraine. However, most of these matches are organised by the TT Elite Series, based in Poland. This organisation has never been implicated in match-fixing scandals and has been diligent in maintaining the integrity of its matches.

Platforms like DraftKings, which stream these games to American bettors, also play a role in safeguarding against match-fixing by closely monitoring betting patterns.

Led by a distinguished board of directors, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has been very much in the headlines recently with the announcement of its lottery licence. Chairman Jim Murren (pictured above) brings extensive experience from the gaming and hospitality industries, including his previous role as Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. Aside from being the Chairman of GCGRA, Murren also has current roles and responsibilities as the chief executive officer at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. His leadership is crucial as GCGRA navigates this transformative period for the UAE’s gaming sector.

The Vice Chairman, Chris O’Donnell, brings extensive experience in real estate and investment from major UAE firms, enhancing the company’s regulatory and investment strategies. He previously served as CEO of Nakheel Properties and Emaar Developments, Head of Real Estate at Al Futtaim Group, and Director at CityCenter Holdings in Las Vegas. Chris currently holds the position of Managing Director at CNN Advisory.

Nicholas Casiello, Jr., is a retired attorney with over 40 years of experience in gaming law. His global perspective on gaming regulations and compliance has been instrumental in shaping the authority’s regulatory framework. In addition to serving as a board member of GCGRA, Casiello is also a part-time advisory council member at Seton Hall University School of Law and a member of the Compliance Committee at Interblock Gaming.

William W. Grounds has provided valuable insights into strategic development and oversight through his experience in managing high-profile real estate investments and serving on gaming company boards. He has served on the boards of MGM Resorts International for eight years. He is currently on the boards of Consumer Portfolio Services and PointsBet Holdings. Grounds has also held senior positions at Lend Lease Corporation, where he managed the Sydney 2000 Olympics Games Project and the NSW and WA Regions.

John Kelly, a partner at the London-based law firm Harbottle & Lewis, specialises in reputation protection, data privacy, and defamation. With over 30 years of legal experience, he has represented high-profile clients globally, particularly in sports law. Kelly is recognised as an authority in his field by Chambers UK, Chambers HNW, The Legal 500, and The Spear’s 500.

Giovanni Lega, a prominent business lawyer with over 30 years of experience in international transactions, offers a global perspective on gaming investments and regulatory issues. He is the founding and managing partner at the Italian law firm LCA. He has previously served as the managing partner of the Italian offices of Freshfields. Additionally, he was the founding chairman of ASLA, the organisation representing leading Italian and international law firms in Italy.

Mark A. Lipparelli is a highly experienced figure in the gaming industry and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Member of Gioco Ventures. He holds leadership positions in gaming companies and advisory boards, including Galaxy Gaming, Inc. and Golden Entertainment. Mark’s extensive background includes serving as a Nevada State Senator, chairing the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and holding senior roles at Bally Technologies, Shuffle Master, and Casino Data Systems. He is also actively involved in gaming technology and regulation.

Issuing the lottery licence represents the beginning of a new chapter for the UAE’s gaming industry. As the GCGRA continues to lead in commercial gaming regulation, its dedication to transparency, innovation, and responsible practises will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of gaming in the UAE.

The GCGRA has made a tremendous advancement in the UAE’s gaming sector by issuing the country’s first-ever lottery licence to The Game LLC. This milestone is a crucial development in the UAE’s gaming industry and may pave the way for the potential legalisation of other forms of gambling, including casinos, in the future.

Established by Federal Law by Decree and based in Abu Dhabi, the GCGRA oversees the regulation, licensing, and supervision of all commercial gaming activities within the UAE. This role is essential in maintaining a fair, transparent, and well-regulated gaming sector.

The GCGRA’s responsibilities include creating and enforcing regulatory frameworks to govern commercial gaming. These frameworks ensure that gaming operations adhere to high safety, quality, and consumer protection standards. The authority manages a clear and transparent licensing process, issuing licences only to entities that meet strict criteria.

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