S4 Liquidations

Canadians who want to throw down a few dollars on the Leafs versus the Habs – or any other single sporting event – could soon do so legally, thanks to the efforts of a Conservative senator and a New Democrat MP.

A private members bill sponsored by Ontario Sen. Bob Runciman would overturn the section of the Criminal Code that prevents wagering on the outcome of a single race, fight or game.

The Criminal Code does make one exception, allowing bets on horse-races through the agency of a pari-mutuel system.

Its currently legal to place bets on a series of games or events. In other words, you would have to pick two or more of tonights NHL games to bet on, but legally, you cant bet on just one game.

Runciman, a former Ontario solicitor general, said he hopes to legalize betting on single sporting events, not because hes a fan of gambling, but because anyone who wants to bet on a football or hockey game is already doing it.

The bill, originally put forward as a private members bill by WindsorTecumseh, Ont., New Democrat MP Joe Comartin, has passed the House of Commons and is at second reading in the Senate.

After speaking with a couple of Liberal senators and seeing approval from their caucus critic on the House side, Runciman said he believes the bill is likely to pass.

He said the process has been moving along quickly, although he didnt want to lay out an exact timeline.

Weve been supporting and pushing this bill for a few years, said Paul Burns, vice-president of the Canadian Gaming Association. He, too, said hes confident it will pass.

It opens a door to the provinces that want to offer (single-event betting), and of course, they would regulate it. Its really giving them an opportunity to bring this into their own jurisdiction, Runciman said.

In a 2011 report by the Canadian Gaming Association, consultants concluded single-game betting would allow border casinos in Windsor and Niagara Falls to bring in as much as an additional $50 million in revenues and to create 250 jobs between the two Ontario cities. But it would be up to the provinces and their gaming associations to negotiate how the wagering would be made available.

Runciman said hes seen interest from Saskatchewan and, as he told the Senate, from Ontario and British Columbia, as well.

We will probably see a lot of the provinces be more than willing to provide this opportunity to people who wish to gamble on single-event sports through their province and through their casinos, he said.

Comartin, who was on the first public board of casinos for Ontario, said if single-sporting event wagering is legalized, its likely that problem gambling numbers will go up. However, he said it is easier to address an issue when the activity is legal, rather than an underground trend.

Illinois becomes the first state selling lottery tickets online Sunday.

Lottery officials say online sales make the games of chance more available and will bring in more money for the state struggling with budget problems.

Other states are considering similar programs and will watch whether Illinois succeeds.

Online sales got a federal OK in December when the Justice Department reversed itself on allowing Internet gambling.

The agency still restricts wagering on sporting events.

Gambling critics worry that the online lottery will enable underage gambling and fuel addictions. Lottery officials say the system requires ticket-buyers to verify their age and limits the number of tickets each person can buy.

___

Online: http://www.illinoislottery.com/

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) – Cities across the country are competing for tourism dollars in this tough economy.

It may not come as a surprise for many people, but sports are king in Richmond.

The Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau released its studyFriday that shows sporting events are bringing people here by the millions.

Right now, there are more than7,000 soccer players from all over the country competing across Richmond. Behind each one of these players is a parent traveling with the team, like Kevin Gaffey. Hes in town this weekend with his daughter from New Jersey.

Its important to do this with the kids, because you get a lot of one-on-one time with your kid. Its really that special time you get to spend with them, said Gaffey.

TheCVB says there are six million people like Kevin coming to Richmond each year. It turns out the Jefferson Cup soccer tournament going on this weekend was the number one tourism event in Richmond last year, according to a survey byVCU. Roughly900 teams compete each year, with each team bringing dozens of spectators who eat at local restaurants and stay in local hotels.

Its estimated the Jefferson Cup alone filled 22,000 hotel rooms and brought in about$15 million to the local economy last year.

NASCAR races, the SunTrust Richmond Marathon and the Monument Avenue 10k all made the list for the events that filled the most number of hotel rooms.

Jack Berry with the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau says sports tourism has become a booming business with revenue doubling in the last ten years.

Its recession proof. In 09 and 2010, people were cutting back on cruises, going to Europe… they didnt cut back on their sports participation with their kids, said Berry.

Several conventions also brought in large crowds last year. Hurricane Irene was also one of the non-sports related events last year that also drove up hotel room rentals.

TheCVB estimates tourism brought roughly $1.75 billionto the local economy last year.

Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.

LAKEWOOD — Beginning Monday, Lakewood High School students, staff and visitors will have to pass through a metal detector/wanding system, the latest security initiative implemented to promote a safer environment, according to John Stillwell, the district?s director of security.

Stillwell said the equipment already was at the high school but was previously used only at sporting events. ?It can go a long way in adding a sense of security on a daily basis,? he said.

An announcement on the district?s website said the metal detectors were being put in place as one of several ?proactive measures.?

The Board of Education on March 14 replaced Tri-County Security with retired police officers.

Stillwell is a former Lakewood police officer and graduate of the high school. He employs two full-time and three part-time officers at the high school, and one full-time and two part-time officers at Lakewood Middle School.

Students and staff also were issued identification cards to be worn at all times in school. The change was made because students previously were allowed to wander hallways, causing disruption to classrooms where other students were involved in lessons.

Officials said the new measures have reduced the amount of disruptive behavior, which had been a chief complaint the Board of Education heard from both staff and students.

Having retired police officers, who work hand in hand with school resource officers, was part of the plan to bring order back to the troubled schools, officials said.

At Thursday?s board meeting, parents said they were concerned that the security officers are carrying concealed weapons. Several parents said they don?t want the officers to have to face the possibility of using a weapon in school.

Gus Kakavas, the Lakewood school transportation consultant who also sits on the Toms River Regional Board of Education, was asked by school board attorney Michael Inzelbuch what the policy was in Toms River.

Toms River high schools also use retired police officers as security, and those individuals also carry concealed weapons, Kakavas said.

For more than a handful of people out there, the smartphone has become an integral part of their life. Whether it has everything to do with work, or nothing to do with it, the smartphone has evolved into something that we use sparingly into a device that has become commonplace and a new standard. Its hard to go outside and not see someone on their phone. In some places, Id say its almost impossible. Knowing this truth made it easier to swallow when I saw so many different phones out and about at a recent Spring Training game I attended. But, while that was bad, it wasnt nearly as bad as the 2012 NCAA Mens Tournament West Regional game a couple of days ago.

First, Ill admit that my phone was out, and I was finding myself doing one thing or another on it throughout the events. I could say that having my phone out is part of my job, and no one should blame me for it, but that would probably be stretching it a bit. I will say that my phone wasnt out nearly as much as it normally is. Furthermore, compared to some people around me, the devices time out of my pocket could barely be noticed.

I noticed that something was wrong when I tried to upload an image to Twitter. My 3G connection was taking a brutal hit, despite the fact that I had full service and connectivity. I watched as it tried to upload, but took forever to get the task completed. Thats when I looked around and noticed pretty much everyone else around me trying to do the same thing, or doing something else on their phone in general. I looked around as people were watching their phone more than the game, and I realized that I was watching the people watch their phones instead of watching the game.

Ive asked in the past if having a camera on your smartphone makes more sense than a dedicated device because of that ability to just upload an image to your favorite social networking site right after taking the photo, and after being at the Spring Training game, I think I can safely say I know the answer to that. But it was at that moment that I realized I needed to put my phone away, because I could always upload the images later. I didnt need to do it right then and there. I was there to watch a baseball game, not be bothered by the fact I couldnt upload a picture.

It was at the NCAA West Regional game that my notice of technology was for a different reason. Sure, there were people on their phones taking pictures, and I was doing the same thing right at the start of the game. But despite being inside a stadium, with thousands of people around me, my 3G connection wasnt slowed down at all. Worked like a dream. Thats not what got my attention that technology was playing a huge role in the sporting world.

I watched as a kid, probably around 10-years old, was using his Dads iPad to check up on the scores of another game that was being played somewhere else. He was using the tablet to check stats, too. And then he went and started looking at the roster of the teams playing right in front of him (Michigan State and Louisville). He was using the device as a secondary piece of technology, using it to actually support his time at the game, instead of using the tablet to hinder it.

There were also people on their phones actually watching the other game that was being played at the same time.

I believe that technology has a place in almost every aspect of our lives, but I feel like there has to be a point where we sit back and realize it can wait. But, then again, it could just come down to how we use it. At the Spring Training game, I was made aware that technology was actually getting in the way of the experience. But at the NCAA tournament game, technology was used to improve the experience. Its all in how we use it.

Does technology have a place at sporting events? Of course. It just depends on how deep you get involved with what youre doing. You dont want to sacrifice your time at the event, because theres nothing better than watching your favorite team do something great. Getting that picture is one thing, but watching it happen right then and there, just being there, is also something to remember.

The Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, will have wide-ranging powers to determine how many AFL and NRL matches are broadcast weekly on free-to-air television, under new laws revealed yesterday.

The laws require the communications minister to specify the number of AFL and NRL games broadcast on free TV each week, although the number cannot be higher than four matches for rounds of the AFL, and three matches for rounds of the NRL.

Under the legislation, free-to-air-television channels will remain the main broadcasters of major sporting events. But, for the first time, Australias television laws will take into account the rise of online and digital media.

Do you have a local sporting event to list? The signup list, which runs Saturdays online, is available to announce registration for community sporting events, teams looking for players and schools or teams looking for coaches.

Its a free service. Send to grsports@mlive.com and put Signups in the subject line. Describe your event in sentence form and make sure to include a phone number that readers can contact, and also an email address, if possible.

Submissions are accepted no more than a month ahead of an event, and are subject to editing. The deadline for entries is 3 pm Thursday.

BASEBALL
The STARZ Baseball Travel Teams are currently looking for competitive players for our teams from ages 9U through 16U. If interested in trying out for a team, please email us at info@starztrainingcenter.com or call at 616-319-1231.

BASKETBALL
Lakeside Hoops girls basketball is seeking players for their 7th-8th-9th and 11th grade girls teams. We are also looking to grow our coaching staff.
Check out www.lakesidehoops.org or contact Jason Slater at 616-918-3745.

SOCCER
Northwest Youth Soccer is accepting registration for its season that begins in mid-April. Sign-ups are available for girls and boys through ages 13.
Questions and more information is available by calling 514-0637 or emailing xstavros@aol.com.

COACHES SOUGHT
Grand Rapids Christian is seeking applicants for the varsity hockey position. Qualified applicants should send their resume to Jason Heerema at jheerema@grcs.org or call 616-574-5820.

?Sports must for students? grooming?

LAHORE: Sporting events foster competition among children and explore their hidden talents, said former hockey Olympian Muhammad Sarwar.

Speaking at the Annual Sports Day of City School, Okara, Sarwar said sports competitions should be a regular feature at schools as they resulted in better grooming and strong personality of students.

Vocational Training Institute Chairman Muhammad Akram Bhatti, school principal Asma Naveed, Regional Coordinator Naseema and a large number of parents and teachers were present to buck up the students. Akram Bhatti said that healthy children made a stronger nation and ensured a bright future of the country.

He stressed the need for organising sporting events regularly and urged the students to actively take part in sports. Principal Asma Naveed also underlined the importance of sports and physical training for students. pr

Home |
National

President Barack Obama mentioned him in a speech at the school this winter, hes constantly the focus of TV cameras when hes at other campus sporting events, and hes stopped regularly on campus on the way to class.

As hard as it is to believe, that final piece might be what he enjoys most — and he has no plans to alter his routine.

• MORE: Michigan team notes

No, because I enjoy interacting with people, Robinson said Thursday after the fourth spring practice. I come from a big family, and meeting new people is not a problem for me. If I see anybody on the street, I want to say hi to you. My goal is to make somebodys day every day.

Robinson got his day made by Obama when he heard his name, and he raced to call every member of his immediate family to relay the news.

The sporting events he attended — from high-profile appearances in the Maize Rage at mens basketball games to the hockey games and track events — are part of being a student, Robinson insisted. It was not about being the center of attention; he was just trying to blend in.

As the quarterback, though, thats no longer possible. While his prodigious talent carried the Wolverines for the past two seasons, he has realized and has been prodded by coaches that he has to do more as a senior.

I wasnt a (vocal) person; I didnt do a lot of yelling and telling people, patting them on the back — thats the things I need to start doing this spring, he said. After the fourth practice right now, Ive been doing pretty good at it, talking to people, telling them what they needed to do.

Wednesday, that included telling third-string quarterback Russell Bellomy to make a hang throw on one ball to help a receiver and take his time to improve his accuracy.

Not that Robinson has blinders on when it comes to himself. He knows his interceptions last season were excessive.

Hes growing, even as the pieces alter around him.

Though David Molk was an All-America center last year, the shift to new center Ricky Barnum has worked for Robinson. Barnum is helping Robinson be more of a leader.

The evolution is clear to his teammates.

Hes reading the defenses well, taking his time, and you can actually hear the play fluent in the huddle, receiver Roy Roundtree said of Robinson. I tell him all the time, hes so country you can barely hear him, but now weve been in the offense a year, we like listening to him.

Theyve noted Robinsons composure, throwing better balls, and his health after last years concealed staph infection that sent him briefly to the hospital.

Coach Brady Hokes biggest impression through four practices has been Robinsons decision-making in the passing game, sending the ball where it needs to be at the right time.

As a leader, theres taking responsibility — and dishing it out.

Sometime youve got to get up in them, Robinson said. Help them out, give them that encouragement, (but) you cant always be nice to them. I cant always have a smile on my face.

Unless youre passing him on the street.

THE Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, will have wide-ranging powers to determine how many AFL and NRL matches are broadcast weekly on free-to-air television, under new laws unveiled yesterday.

The laws require the communications minister to specify the number of AFL and NRL games broadcast on free TV each week, although the number cannot be higher than four matches for rounds of the AFL, and three matches for rounds of the NRL.

Under the legislation, free-to-air-television channels will remain the main broadcasters of major sporting events. But, for the first time, Australias television laws will take into account the rise of online and digital media.

With 82 per cent of households having made the switch to digital TV, the government has moved to relax restrictions on free-to-air broadcasters showing games on their digital stations. If, for example, Channel 7 was broadcasting a game live and cut to a breaking news story, it would now be able to switch the football broadcast to its digital station uninterrupted.

If the laws are passed, anti-siphoning laws will also address the rapid rise in new media broadcasting sporting matches, for which there is no regulation.

The bill will address this by preventing the potential for the rights to anti-siphoning events being siphoned off to new media and no longer being freely available to Australian sports fans, Mr Conroy said.

New media outlets will be able to acquire the rights to NRL and AFL sporting events but, like pay-TV outlets, they will have to abide by broadcast quotas.

The legislation will reform the so-called anti-siphoning laws, which prevent subscription broadcasters from acquiring the rights to sporting events before free-to-air broadcasters have had the chance to do so. The rights for nationally iconic sporting events such as the Melbourne Cup and NRL and AFL grand finals will be offered first to free-to-air television stations to protect the right of all Australians to watch them, under legislation introduced yesterday.