Sports programming has continued to batter wrestling shows as this week’s NXT on USA drew 665,000 viewers, down 30,000 viewers from last week’s broadcast. This was the least-watched NXT since March 17 and their lowest number on a Tuesday. The 18-49 demo was 0.17, the lowest in a month as well. (Ratings credit: SpoilerTV.com)
Former Impact and NJPW star Michael Elgin goes missing but is later located
Former Impact Wrestling and NJPW star Michael Elgin went missing yesterday but has since been found.
Elgin, who was fired from Impact in June 2020 after several sexual assault allegations were made against him as part of the #SpeakingOut movement, sent a worrying message on Facebook and left a note at home.
Fearing for the worst, his sponsor then took to social media to say that he and his wife went to his house since they have a spare key and he was gone, leaving his phone behind. The sponsor, named Eric, said that he’s been helping him through a lot of things lately and hoped that Elgin, real name Aaron Frobel, “just went somewhere to clear his head.”
Another friend of his also posted on Facebook about Elgin going missing and said they just “want to bring him home safely.”
Impact Wrestling referee Brandon Tolle, who also shared the message, then posted late yesterday that he was found, although no further news about his condition was posted.
AEW World title replica now available for pre-order, ships in 2022
The first-ever AEW World title replica is now available for pre-order starting today at ShopAEW.com.
Retailing for $699.99, the official replica title was created from the same art as the actual championship and is made from simulated Leather straps made from polyurethane, featuring 868 simulated jewels, and weighing a total of 9 pounds. The dimensions of the title are 50 inches x 12.5 inches and it fits up to a 45 inch waist.
The title will come in a black cloth bag with the All Elite Wrestling logo on it and shipped via FedEx Ground. It will not be available for sale internationally.
The bad news? It ships in the first quarter of 2022 so there are still several months to wait to get your hands on it.
You can pre-order here.
Top WWE wrestlers to bet on and against
WWE’s just coming off their Hell in a Cell PPV, which took place on Sunday. The promotion made the decision to pull Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship match against Rey Mysterio Jr. and move it to last Friday’s SmackDown instead. The show was still a huge success, however.
There’s a whole lot that could happen between now and SummerSlam in August, so we’re going to take a look at some of the wrestlers to bet both on and against moving forward, with sports betting in Arizona offering odds on just about everything one can imagine.
Roman Reigns – Bet On
The aforementioned Roman Reigns has been one of the most dominant stars on WWE television since returning from his self-imposed hiatus at SummerSlam last year. The Universal Champion has gotten pretty much everyone to fall in line, with Mysterio just his latest victim. The Head of the Table also claimed a major win at WrestleMania, defeating both Edge and Daniel Bryan in an epic match that saw him stack his opponents on top of the other to retain his belt.
Reigns doesn’t look like he will be losing any time soon, especially not in major matches. He’s likely to face his real-life cousin, The Rock, at some point and should definitely be bet on should that happen as WWE will most probably have The Rock put him over as the latter’s appearances on the brand have been few and far between since he quietly retired from wrestling some years back.
Cesaro – Bet Against
Cesaro looked to be headed somewhere after catching a feud with Seth Rollins. However, it appears that is over following his loss to Rollins at HIAC on Sunday. The former Shield member attacked Cesaro during his entrance but still lost the advantage once the match was officially on as he fell victim to a hefty slam accompanied by a big back body drop and a kick.
Rollins would poke his opponent in the eye to turn things around. The wrestlers put on a great show, reminding the WWE Universe of their credentials as two of the best performers on the brand.
Cesaro was made to pick up the loss on the night and it appears his push is over, despite Mick Foley pleading with Vince McMahon to have the star in the main event picture. One should definitely think twice about betting on Cesaro, despite his prowess, as WWE doesn’t seem keen on having him win.
RK-Bro – Bet On
Randy Orton and Riddle’s RK-Bro has shown lots of promise. The Viper, a veteran in the game, has teamed up with a much greener Riddle to form one of the most exciting tag teams within WWE.
14-time tag team Champion Kofi Kingston recently gave his take on the pairing and said what most fans were thinking.
“It was crazy, because I think all of us are watching RK-Brow gel right before our eyes, and unfortunately the culmination happened in the middle of that match, they really came together,” he said on WWE show, The Bump, last week. “They’re such a weird combination, but they’re so interesting to watch. The dichotomy of the stoic Randy Orton, The Viper, who you know, he’s a snake, he’s gonna bite you at some point, but then you have Riddle who’s just like, ‘Cool bro! Look at this cool snake! Let me try to domesticate this snake!’”
RK-Bro is also going to be pushed as much as possible, according to reports. They’re certainly a tag team worth betting on.
Drew McIntyre – Bet Against
It would have sounded absurd some months ago but Drew McIntyre appears to be done for the time being. The hottest thing on WWE television after WrestleMania 36, McIntyre could be shoved right out of the main event picture after his loss to Bobby Lashley at Hell in a Cell on Sunday.
Lashley rid the Scot of the WWE Championship through The Miz, whom he helped get the belt off McIntyre before beating Miz for it himself. McIntyre has made attempts to reclaim the title but has been unsuccessful. Bobby will no longer have to worry about Drew as his loss means he can no longer challenge for the belt.
Bobby Lashley – Bet On
If you’re taking the advice and betting against Drew, you should definitely be betting on Lashley. Lashley is the WWE superstar who’s in the best shape and is quite the specimen. WWE is pretty high on him at the moment and will likely carry his title into SummerSlam.
With rumors of Brock Lesnar’s return coming to a boil, The Beast Incarnate could make his comeback at the aforementioned PPV and finally give Lashley that fight he’s been wanting since he came back to WWE in 2018. Should he get matched up against Brock, it could go anywhere, but he should still be considered a solid bet no matter who he goes up against.
Toni Storm comes out as bisexual on WWE social media
Former NXT UK Women’s champion Toni Storm used her time taking over NXT’s Instagram stories for Pride Month to come out as bisexual.
Storm said that when she was announced as taking over for Pride Month, she was being asked if she’s an ally or in the community.
“And, well, now it’s a good time to say I’m both. I’m an ally and I can’t exactly say that I’m straight,” Storm said. “I’m bi and it feels good to say. It’s something I’ve been really comfortable with for a long time, I just never really expressed it…I don’t know, I just never really found the right time.”
The NXT Twitter account congratulated the 25-year-old from New Zealand and thanked her for sharing the news. “We couldn’t be more proud,” it said.
https://twitter.com/WWENXT/status/1407451020763017221
All charges against former WWE/WCW star Bryan Clark dropped
Bryan Clark, the man formerly known as Adam Bomb, had all his charges permanently dismissed by the prosecution after he was allegedly involved and charged in the state of Arizona for conspiracy, illegal control of enterprise, transporting or selling narcotics, drug possession and possessing a weapon during a drug offense.
The alleged offenses occurred in January and April 2019 and right from the start, his attorney, Robert Jarvis, said that the charges against his client are unreliable and false information.
“The police report contains alleged facts that have been grossly misconstrued and are incorrect. This includes incorrect allegations relating to medication and its use,” he said in February of last year.
“It was a difficult process, but Mr. Clark is pleased to have upheld his integrity. Mr. Clark appreciates his family, friends, and loyal fans who stood by him and gave him support during this long and emotionally draining process,” a statement issued by his legal team today said.
“His discipline learned in the military, sports, and throughout his career also gave him strength to keep going. He is also thankful for a strong legal team led by his attorney, Robert P. Jarvis. As he puts this ordeal behind him, Mr. Clark looks forward to engaging with his fans as a positive role model,” the statement continued.
Clark wrestled for the then-WWF between 1993 and 1995 as Adam Bomb before he went to WCW in 1997 where he stayed until 2001. In WCW, he wrestled using the name Wrath and was part of the Blood Runs Cold faction and then in 2000 he switched to his real name, joining the late Brian Adams as the KroniK tag team. He returned to the WWE in late 2001 for a very short period along with Adams but they were gone after two months.
The Diamond Mine faction arrives on NXT
The Diamond Mine is indeed open for business after the newest NXT faction made its presence felt last night on NXT on USA Network.
Former Undisputed Era member Roderick Strong, Tyler Rust, and Hideki Suzuki attacked NXT Cruiserweight champion Kushida at the end of the show, shortly after Kushida lost a non-title match against Kyle O’Reilly.
The faction was accompanied by Malcolm Bivens, who seems to be managing the group.
Strong has not appeared on NXT TV since April when he quit while Rust has been absent since March. It was the debut of Suzuki, who joined the WWE Performance Center as a coach a few months ago.
NXT has been hyping up the arrival of The Diamond Mine for a couple of months now, showing several unidentified individuals doing mixed martial training in the videos.
WWE Most Wanted Treasures S1 E9 rating
The season finale of WWE Most Wanted Treasures, which aired on Sunday head-to-head with Hell In A Cell, did 491,000 viewers, up just 4,000 viewers from last week’s show. This episode, featuring Ric Flair, did a 0.16 rating in the 18-49 demo. (Ratings credit: SpoilerTV.com)
The “magic hand” under the ring and production fail at Hell In A Cell
During Sunday’s Hell In A Cell pay-per-view, you might have noticed a hand coming out from under the ring if you were paying attention during the Lashley vs McIntyre match.
The production fail is obviously getting a lot of flack online, many expressing disbelief how a company with usually great production can make such a rookie mistake.
The incident happened when Lashley chokeslammed McIntyre from the apron and through a table at ringside. The problem is that McIntyre landed on a crash pad and pieces of a broken table were placed after Drew landed, with a stagehand under the ring just shoving the pieces out. The camera caught the incident in full frame, including the hand moving the broken table in place as well as the apron moving while McIntyre screamed in pain.
As expected, the internet wrestling community was not impressed and there were some pretty hilarious tweets about it.
“Anyone noticed the return of Mae Young’s hand son?,” tweeted one individual. “AEW have the invisible hand, meanwhile over at WWE…” said another. A tweet directed to Mark Henry said, “Nice to see your son (hand) that Mae Young gave birth to works for @wwe. They gave him a nice cushy job under their ring!”
a crash pad in hiac you better believe it. pic.twitter.com/elXjNPSHir
— aussie wrestling? pretty hot rn (@DessiePlex) June 21, 2021
Tips for selecting the right men’s lacrosse helmet
Playing football is all about having fun with your team since it is one of the most popular team games worldwide. Of course, having fun is important for you, but we should never forget about safety!
That’s why we recommend always using Lacrosse Helmet Decals! Choosing the perfect helmet for you has never been easier by following these tips that will help you not only be safe while playing, but also stand out from your teammates!
- Safety first
The reason why you would be wearing a helmet is to protect yourself from getting injured in accidents. Those kinds of accidents could happen to anyone, and a helmet can make the difference between life and death.
It is important to choose a high-quality material helmet. Let’s be honest, you won’t be buying helmets every time you will have a game, a helmet is a long-term buy. That’s why we recommend you invest some money in the long run and buy a high-quality material helmet that will surely keep you safe from accidents and protect you.
- Make sure you choose the perfect fit!
This is one of the most important aspects that you should have in mind while choosing a helmet for you! The helmet that you choose should fit you perfectly, not being too big for your head and neither too tight!
A bigger-sized helmet can be dangerous for your safety since it can hurt you in case of an accident and a tighter helmet can take away from you the pleasure of the game since it does not fit you comfortably. Make sure you follow the instructions presented in the stores, so you can choose the size that fits you perfectly!
- Choose a helmet that is easy to maintain as good as new!
Once you get used to the helmet you will totally fall in love with it and you will never want to change it! Some players even have their favorite and lucky helmets, and they cannot play a game without wearing those helmets!
That’s why we recommend choosing a helmet that is easier to maintain as some of them have an inner lining that can be changed without having to replace the whole helmet. You will just have to remove the old, used, lining and replace it with a brand new one! Ta-da, your old helmet is as good as new!
- Customize your helmet!
We know how important it must be to you to customize your sports equipment! First of all, it’s all about luck and the things that can assure you an easy win while playing! If you have a lucky number or a lucky symbol you can place a sticker with those on your helmet.
Secondly, those numbers and symbols on your helmet can make you easily distinguishable in crowds. Your fans will be able to spot you easily on the field and it will also be easier to follow you through the whole game!
Also, let’s not forget the team’s spirit! As we said earlier, this game is all about team play and strategies! That’s why, having all customized helmets with the team’s name or slogan can bring you closer together and it can create a feeling of a tighter knit group, which eventually leads to a better team game!
With all these tips in mind, we hope you get to enjoy the game without worrying about your safety anymore! A high-quality helmet is a must-have while playing since it can make the difference between life and death in a serious accident, so be sure you make an investment and buy the best helmet that fits your needs.
While shopping for helmets, make sure to get one that fits you and if you are the type that believes in lucky charms, make sure to get a helmet that has a removable inner lining, so you won’t have to worry about changing the whole helmet!
Last but not least, customize your helmet just the way you like it by applying stickers and drawings on its surface! This will make you stand out from the crowd, and you will be easier to spot on the field!
Hopefully, these tips helped you choose the helmet that best fits your needs! Remember: safety always comes first, so whatever you do, make sure you are wearing the proper equipment! Let’s enjoy the game with no worries now that you know everything that you should know about lacrosse helmets!
Piper Niven’s new name on Raw is…Doudrop!
Piper Niven, Eva Marie’s new sidekick, got her brand new name last night on Raw. Rather than leaving her with the same name from NXT UK, WWE came up with Doudrop.
The former NXT UK star was introduced last week, albeit without a name, and wrestled instead of Eva Marie. But yesterday, she teamed up with Marie to take on Asuka and Naomi in a MITB qualifying match.
In a backstage segment before the match, Niven tried to introduce herself as Piper…but was cut off by Eva. She was clearly seen moving her lips saying Piper but then Eva said her name was Doudrop, resulting in a WTF facial expression from the British star.
Their partnership went down the drain during the match too as Doudrop did not want to tag back in after Marie tagged herself in earlier. That resulted in Naomi pinning Marie with a roll-up, advancing to the MITB ladder match with Asuka.
Karrion Kross and Bronson Reed in matches on Main Event this week
Two champions from NXT were once again at main roster television tapings for the second week in a row and have participated in Main Event tapings.
NXT champion Karrion Kross, along with Scarlett, and North American champion Bronson Reed were being evaluated by the powers that be with a move to either the Raw or Smackdown roster looming.
Kross, without Scarlett, took on Shelton Benjamin and Reed wrestled Drew Gulak during the Main Event tapings which will air this Thursday on the WWE Network. They were also at Smackdown last week and took part in dark matches. Dave Meltzer of the Observer also reported that Scarlett will likely receive tryout of her own this Friday before Smackdown.
Money In The Bank 2021 card starts to take shape
The card for Money In The Bank started to take shape yesterday on Raw and apart from the two ladder matches, there were also two other matches announced.
The WWE champion Bobby Lashley will be defending the title against former champion himself Kofi Kingston. Lashley beat up Kingston’s partner Xavier Woods last night in a Hell In A Cell match and Kofi will be out for revenge and hoping for a second run with the title.
Meanwhile, Raw Women’s champion Rhea Ripley will once again take on Charlotte Flair for the title. This follows their match from Hell In A Cell where Ripley got herself disqualified to retain the title. The two have been feuding since WrestleMania.
First participants announced for Money In The Bank 2021 ladder matches
WWE wasted no time in having Money In The Bank qualifying matches, with several taking place on Raw last night.
Two MITB ladder matches will take place next month, one featuring the men, and one featuring the women, with the winners each getting a shot at the title whenever they want.
The men who qualified last night were Ricochet, John Morrison, and Riddle who each beat AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and Drew McIntyre respectively. The losers of the qualifying match will get a last chance to qualify next week in a triple threat match.
Last year’s winner Asuka, Naomi, Alexa Bliss, and Nikki Cross also qualified for the women’s match. They were paired in tag teams and beat Eva Marie and Doudrop and Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler respectively.
With each match having eight participants, the remaining four men and four women will come from the Smackdown brand.
Dynamite rating for 06/18/2021
Dynamite last Friday night drew 551,000 viewers in their 10PM time slot, up 64,000 viewers from last week’s show. Since airing on Fridays, this was their best viewing yet. In 18-49 demo, the show did 0.20, up 0.01 from last week. Dynamite returns to its usual time slot of Wednesday at 8PM in July. (Ratings credit: SpoilerTV.com)
Impact’s Sami Callihan and Jessicka Havok get engaged
Impact’s Sami Callihan and Jessicka Havok are the latest wrestling couple engaged after Havok posted on social media that she “said yes.”
Callihan surprised Havok with the proposal while at the Mothman Museum yesterday. “I am so overwhelmed with happiness. I didn’t know how to react, so I started crying,” Havok wrote, noting that they were tears of joy. “P.S. I said yes,” she continued.
The 33-year-old Callihan has been working for Impact since 2017 while Havok, 35, has been there since 2019. This will be the first marriage for both of them.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWdfpBDuPs
Nine things not to do when gambling
Gambling is thrilling and fun, but there are many ways to do it right and many ways to do it wrong. There is no shortage of articles that will tell you what to do when gambling if you do not want to lose your money. This article is different; we will tell you what you shouldn’t do if you’re going to keep gambling for longer and how not to lose all your money in the process.
- Do not gamble when intoxicated.
Sounds obvious, right? Yet many people still do it. You would not drive when drunk (hopefully), so why would you trust the drunk version of yourself to control your money. The same goes for all drugs. If you are too drunk to walk in a straight line or operate heavy machinery, it’s time to place the chips down, cash out, and go to bed.
- Do not gamble with rent money.
The rule may specify rent money, but it’s not exclusive to it. Financial advisors often tell people who want to save money that they should deduct it from their money as the first thing before spending. In a similar fashion, your gambling money should be the money you have left after you have catered for all your needs and wants. This means that school fees, utility bills, food, and commute money should all be accounted for.
You should gamble with the money that remains after accounting for all your expenses for the month. One great thing about following this rule is that it will allow you to gamble without fear. You will be able to have fun and take calculated bets when you know that losing doesn’t mean you may get evicted.
- Do not gamble on shady websites.
There are hundreds if not thousands of casinos online. They each offer ‘lucrative’ opportunities but not all of them are to be trusted. Just because a casino offers huge bonuses does not mean you should sign up. There are many articles online that can help you create a selection criteria list that you can use to sieve through the many casinos online.
After determining that a casino is genuine, take advantage of any bonus they offer. For example, using the Fair Go casino bonus, you can play more games and increase your chances of multiplying your money by using their money.
- Do not play without knowing the rules.
While there is always a chance that you could lose your money when gambling, you should not lose it without giving yourself a fair shot of winning. The best way to do this is by picking games you know how to play. Alternatively, you can select a game you do not know how to play and take your time to learn the rules before playing. Take advantage of any demo modes to improve your skills, or start playing with lower stakes to increase your chances of winning.
- Do not play without a money management strategy.
Money management rules dictate how you spend your money when playing. Some people have detailed money management rules which specify what percentage or amount of money goes into which games. Others simply limit the maximum amount of money they can spend each time they play. The method you use does not matter as much as implementing the rules you set for yourself.
- Don’t double up.
This point ties in closely with the money management point. After losing a hand, some people double up (double their previous bet amount) so that if they win, they can win back the money from the lost bet and the new bet. This sounds like a sound strategy, but if you look at the probability of winning, the theory falls apart.
In any casino establishment, the casino always has an edge. In a game like Roulette, the odds of winning range from 37 to 1 to 38 to 1. This means that you either need to have a lot of money to double up until you win, or you stand to lose all your money as you keep doubling up. Therefore, it is in your best interest to play with a standard amount and play with money you are willing to lose.
- Don’t look for the perfect system.
There is no perfect system in gambling. Casinos are designed to always give the house (the casino) an edge. Stop wasting your time looking for the perfect system. If it is a game of luck, accept that you cannot rig the system. If it is a game of wits, do your best to know the game’s rules to increase your chances of winning but don’t count on winning 100% of the time. Furthermore, if you always win, the game will lose its thrill, and you will most likely get bored.
- Do not lie to gamble.
One of the first signs that your gambling may have moved from being something fun to addiction is that you have to lie about when you gamble or how much you gamble. If you cannot be honest about how much you are gambling, avoid gambling altogether. If you think you may have become addicted to gambling, don’t hesitate to get help. You can use this article to check the signs of problem gambling and if you may need to get help.
- Don’t be so serious.
Gambling and playing casino games is supposed to be fun. You should look forward to escaping the struggles of your day-to-day life by playing a few games with the chance of winning some money. If you find that you are taking gambling way too seriously or that it is stressing you out, it may be time to find another way to relax.
Conclusion
Gambling is a great way to pass the time and relax with the added chance of winning some money. By following simple rules on what to do and what not to do when gambling, you can ensure that it stays a leisurely, guilt-free, and stress-free pastime.
AEW announces double header tapings in Pittsburgh for August
All Elite Wrestling today announced a double header of television tapings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, starting with Dynamite on August 11 and then the first Rampage on August 13.
Both shows will be held at the Petersen Events Center and tickets go on sale this Friday, June 25 at 10AM ET. The arena, which typically holds basketball games, sits 12,500 fans in a basketball setting or 9,000 for concerts.
Tickets for the shows start from $25 each and there will also be a combo package if you’re interested in attending both events. Tickets will be available from AEWTix.com.
Rampage will not be live every week but there will be occasions where it will be held live at 10PM ET. When it’s not live, the show will be taped following Dynamite, which is returning live weekly from July 7.
Becky Lynch and Ric Flair backstage at Hell In A Cell
After being spotted at the WWE Performance Center last week, Becky Lynch was also backstage at Hell In A Cell yesterday at the WWE ThunderDome according to a story by PWInsider.com.
The former Raw and Smackdown Women’s champion is gearing up for her return on WWE television, possibly in time for a program at SummerSlam. The Irish Lass Kicker has not been seen on television since May 2020 when she announced that she is pregnant and handed over the Raw Women’s title to Asuka on Raw.
Also backstage at the show was 16-time world champion Ric Flair. The Nature Boy decided to spend Father’s Day with his daughter Charlotte at the ThunderDome and Flair was looking sharp in a three-piece suit. Flair was also the subject of a two-hour season finale of WWE Most Wanted Treasures last night on A&E, a show which aired head-to-head with Hell In A Cell.
6 interesting facts about online casinos in Thailand
Thailand’s gambling history goes back a long way. That is why the majority of Thai locals are avid gamblers.
In fact, a recent survey featured in Translation Royale suggests that as much as 70 percent of the adult population in Thailand gambles regularly, generating nearly €5.5 billion in revenues on an annual basis. No wonder, by the time online casinos were introduced, many active gamblers welcomed them wholeheartedly, and thus, online gambling in Thailand became well-known in a fraction of a second.
When it comes to gambling in the Kingdom of Thailand, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of and this article will communicate some of the surprising facts about online casinos and gambling overall in the land of white elephants.
- Gambling is Banned, But Football Betting is Popular
Under the Gambling Act in B.E 2478 (1935), as featured in Expat Bets, almost all forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand. Under the said law, only the national lottery and horse race betting are exempted from the country’s ban.
Other than that, the entire island is a non-gambling zone. Even playing casino games without monetary exchange is regarded as gambling by the Thai local police.
The reason why this is strictly implemented, according to Gambling Sites, is because 95 percent of the country’s population is Buddhist. Gambling in Thailand is called “abaiyamuk” or “portals of hell”, which is one of the main vices under Buddhism.
The majority of practicing Buddhists worry that they will suffer as a result of partaking in gambling. This same group of people does not combat the notion that they are also supposed to avoid gaming.
Nevertheless, some Thai locals still gamble. They may do so at an illegal casino or at the occasional ceremony or festival. Casino News Daily reported that the annual revenues generated by gambling operations are estimated to reach $6 billion.
The Asian Today article revealed that among Thai gamblers, football betting appears to be the most popular type of illegal gambling. Football betting is said to produce roughly 160 billion baht (US$5.3 billion) each year.
It is closely followed by the underground lottery which takes in 153 baht (US$5.1 billion) and the government-run lottery which generates about 150 billion baht (US$5 billion) from players.
Legal Gambling Guide supports this data when it mentioned a movie depiction where people will even travel to Bangkok just so they can participate in these kinds of activities. However, during the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, thousands of individuals were arrested in numerous raids by the local police.
- Thais Use Neteller and Skrill for Banking and Payouts
According to the website of Top 10 Casino Sites, the easiest payment method to use at a thai casino online website is an e-wallet. When it comes to this mode of payment, there is a slew of options to pick from because they have come to dominate the Internet.
The article also mentioned that Skrill and Neteller casinos are the most popular e-wallet casinos in Thailand, and they are known for their instant deposits. Moreover, e-wallets are free to sign up for, and they don’t take extra charges when you make a transaction to and from a Thai online casino.
- The Most Played Traditional Casino Game is Hi Lo
Wiki Casino Games say that prior to online casinos, there are numerous local games that have been well-known traditionally in Thailand. The undisputedly most popular local casino game is Hi Lo or “card games.” Hi Lo is also known as Sic-Bo and Tai Sai in other cultures.
Thai locals don’t have as much fondness for Western-style card games as they have for Hi Lo. The law also forbids the manufacturing, distribution, and possession of playing cards.
As a result, you cannot really purchase cards as legally and conveniently as you would in other countries. Still playing cards are available, typically as contraband.
You can get some from places along the borders like Cambodia or Laos. Those who do play cards are more interested in Pok Deng or Gao Gae.
Both of these games are like baccarat. The drawing rules are different though.
No surprise, in the survey report, which was featured in iGaming business, it was stated that Thai gamblers bet a total of 20.2 billion baht in an online casino, with baccarat being the most popular game played by 45.2% of customers. A further 27.6% of individuals had played other online card games, while 20.1% played slots online and 16.7% bet on sports.
Traditional card games are more popular among women. Those who want to play real casinos often travel to Laos or Cambodia, where gambling is legal.
- The Youngest Punter is Only 7 Years Old
World Nomads says that the legal drinking age is 20. Surprisingly, Legal Gambling Guide noted in their article that the interesting fact about Thailand is that although nearly all gambling activities are banned, there is no minimum age limit on the national lottery and horse race betting.
This may have contributed to the answer as to why Thais love to gamble so much including children. Illegal gambling facilities can be found in offices, basements, and other areas.
In the news reported in Bangkok Post, Nualnoi Trirat, the Center for Gambling Studies director, who has been studying the gambling habits of Thai people across the country since 2017, found in their study that as of October 2019, 30.42 million locals are engaged in some sort of gambling. This was an increase of 1.4 million gamblers since the research began in 2017.
In the news, Ms. Nualnoi said that over 700,000 Thais who gambled in 2019 were first-time punters and the youngest of them was only 7 years old. Of the 30.42 million Thai gamblers surveyed, 733,000, equivalent to 20% of people, were 15 to 18 years old, 3.05 million (46%) were aged 19 to 25 years, and 3.3 million gamblers (42%) were 60 or older.
- Online Casinos are Not Popular Among Thais
In a study conducted by the Center for Gambling Studies and Center for Social and Business Development of Thailand, as cited by Thailand Business News, in the past year, nearly 57 percent of the country’s adult population took part in gambling activities. Additionally, the majority of them claimed to have participated in the government-run lottery.
However, the lottery done underground ranked second among the most prevalent gambling in Thailand. Furthermore, 3.5 million people also claimed to have made wagers on sports via sports betting sites such as Betway 88 casinos that are hosted overseas but operate in the country.
Then again, according to the ASEAN Today article, playing games in a thai casino online site is not as popular among the locals as other gambling segments. The survey conducted by the Center of Gambling Studies, cited in the same article, showed that only 1.6 percent of those surveyed gambled through the Internet.
- Online Casinos in Thailand Offers Tons of Benefits
KitchenSurfing says that while many gambling enthusiasts drive back from gambling due to the fear of being charged and arrested for violation of law, the astonishing thing is that Thai online casinos offer some of the best promotional offers and bonuses to attract more gamblers. As mentioned previously, Thais are known for their love for gambling, and online casinos in Thailand cash out on this. All they have to do is sign up and get started.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many debates as to why authorities in Thailand should seriously consider revising the gambling laws– especially that so many studies and surveys prove that a crowd of Thai residents are already so keen on the activity. But this is whether they’ll remain to be seen.
The law about online gambling, in particular, is also complex and there is no specific legislation covering gambling online. There are several hurdles to overcome first, both relating to social infrastructure and attitudes.
However, if the country desires to move with the times and establish its own tourism industry – this would be an obvious way to do both.