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Alberta’s Sports Betting Negotiations: The Waiting Game Continues

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Sports enthusiasts in Alberta had high hopes for expanded betting options in 2022, but it seems that their dreams are still on hold. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) made a promising announcement last December, stating their intention to allow two private operators to run sports betting, with the possibility of mobile extensions, at major sports venues across the province. However, the names of these operators remain a mystery.

Originally, the Request For Proposals (RFP) process was supposed to conclude on January 31, but it was extended until February 14 to give operators more time to submit their bids. Since then, regulators have maintained radio silence. “We’re continuing to work through the negotiation process. However, we’re still expecting to make an announcement this fall,” reassured Karin Campbell, AGLC’s manager of communications.

What makes Alberta’s approach unique is its decision to limit the market to only two private sportsbook operators initially. This move was touted as a way to expedite the introduction of private sports betting services in the province. “By opening retail sports betting up to two proponents now, AGLC is able to bring this service to sports fans in Alberta earlier in 2022,” explained President and CEO Kandice Machado during the December news conference.

However, with the NFL season already underway and the NBA and NHL regular seasons set to open soon, it appears that Alberta’s regulators are unlikely to meet their goal of expanding sports betting options this year. Fans had envisioned the excitement of placing bets during events like the Labour Day Classic or the Battle of Alberta, but it seems they will have to wait a bit longer.

Before the December announcement, the AGLC had preliminary discussions with four professional sports teams in the province about setting up sportsbooks in their respective venues. But without any news on winning vendor bids, the prospects for additional sports betting options by year-end appear bleak.

Currently, AGLC’s PlayAlberta website stands as the only legal online sportsbook in the province. SPORT SELECT, operated by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation, is also available for local retail sports bettors.

So, what’s causing the delay? Industry insiders cite several reasons. “There’s a lot of interest, but there are a lot of challenges with the RFP,” said one source. “The stakeholders that could be allowed to participate in the retail sportsbook or mobile extension, they had asked the government for something different.” They had proposed forming their own partnerships and then letting the government regulate to introduce more competition. This approach has raised concerns and is considered a roadblock in the negotiations.

Unlike other provinces in Canada, except Ontario, which uses government-owned lottery and gaming corporations as the sole legal providers of sports betting, Alberta’s two-operator approach stands out. Ontario has fully embraced private expansion with its regulated iGaming and sports betting market. By April 4, there were already 40 online gambling sites live in the province, with that number expected to rise.

The population of Alberta, with around 4.5 million people, makes it the fourth-most populous province in Canada. A 2020 survey revealed that Albertans spend over $100 million (CAD) annually on offshore sports gambling websites and daily fantasy sports operators. These new private operators will have to contend with the existing gray market and provincial gaming corporations.

One industry source suggested that Kambi, which powers many popular U.S. sportsbooks, would be a natural fit for AGLC in Alberta. The British Columbia Lottery Corporation, which operates PlayNow online gambling platforms in Manitoba and British Columbia, and will soon launch in Saskatchewan, is also seen as a contender for a winning bid. Rumors also suggest that PointsBet, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel have expressed interest, although none has confirmed their participation.

Notably, the AGLC is part of a coalition of five provincial gaming corporations that are taking a stand against illegal online gambling. They are calling on the federal government to collaborate with provincial jurisdictions to protect Canadians from black-market operations and are protesting the use of “free-to-play” advertising tactics by illegal operators.

The dream of expanded Alberta sports betting remains just that—a dream, for now. Sports fans will have to keep waiting, hoping that their province’s regulators can iron out the challenges and bring them the thrill of legal sports betting in the near future.

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NFL And CFL Betting 101: Why You Shouldn’t Bet With Your Emotions

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Betting on the NFL and CFL can add an extra layer of excitement to the games, enhancing the
experience for many fans. However, successful sports betting requires discipline and strategy rather than just a passionate love for the game. Emotions, whether high or low, can cloud judgment and lead to impulsive, often regrettable decisions. This guide highlights why detaching from emotions when betting on football is crucial, offering practical strategies to keep your bets rational and strategic.

The Dangers of Emotional Betting

Betting with emotions, or betting impulsively based on personal bias or loyalty, can create a skewed perception of the game. It’s common for fans to overestimate their favorite team’s performance or assume a player’s history will guarantee a particular outcome. These assumptions lead to what’s known as “confirmation bias”, where fans see only the information that supports their beliefs and ignore contradictory data. This can cause bettors to overlook crucial insights, like injury reports or statistics, leading to inaccurate wagers.

Emotional betting also fuels what’s called “chasing losses”. This occurs when bettors, frustrated by previous losses, place increasingly risky football bets in an attempt to win back money. This approach is rarely successful and can quickly turn manageable losses into significant setbacks. By staying rational and informed, you can avoid these pitfalls and make more calculated, objective bets.

Strategies to Minimize Emotional Influence

One of the best ways to avoid emotional betting is to establish clear betting strategies based on data and analysis. Here are a few tactics to keep in mind:

1. Analyze Data, Not Personal Feelings: Before placing a bet, review all available data, including team statistics, recent performance trends, and injury reports. A data-driven approach helps eliminate bias, allowing you to focus on concrete factors that influence game outcomes rather than relying on loyalty or gut feelings.

2. Limit Bets on Favorite Teams or Players: It’s easy to let personal favorites dictate betting choices, but this often leads to poorly reasoned bets. Try to limit the amount of money you wager on teams or players you’re emotionally attached to. Alternatively, look for opportunities to bet on neutral games where personal feelings won’t interfere.

3. Track and Review Betting Patterns: Keep a record of your bets, including the reasoning behind each one and the outcome. Over time, you may notice patterns, such as betting more on favorite teams or overinvesting after a loss. Recognizing these tendencies can help you adjust future strategies to stay more objective.

4. Take Breaks When Needed: If you find yourself betting impulsively or “chasing” after a loss, it might be wise to take a break. Giving yourself time away from betting can clear your mind, allowing you to return with a fresh, objective perspective.

Understanding the Value of Objective Analysis

In sports betting, value is found in assessing odds and comparing them to actual probabilities. Odds reflect a combination of factors, from team performance to public perception, and even individual player stats. For instance, player-specific metrics like Aaron Rodgers player odds may offer valuable insights, especially when factoring in performance trends, injuries, or recent games. Analyzing these detailed odds alongside overall game stats helps bettors avoid the common pitfall of placing hopeful, emotional bets that may lack real value.

When emotion enters the equation, it’s easy to overlook true value, focusing on high-stakes or biased bets instead. By paying attention to player odds and using objective analysis, you’ll be better positioned to spot value where odds align with the likelihood of outcomes, improving returns and reducing the risks tied to emotional decision-making.

The Long-Term Benefits of Rational Betting

Sticking to rational, well-reasoned betting strategies not only improves your chances of success but also makes betting a more enjoyable and sustainable activity. Betting without emotional influence helps you stay in control, reducing stress and frustration associated with losses. Furthermore, disciplined betting habits help build a foundation for long-term profitability, transforming betting from an emotional rollercoaster into a calculated, engaging pursuit.

In conclusion, betting on the NFL or CFL can be thrilling, but it requires an approach grounded in data, strategy, and self-control. By setting aside emotions, analyzing information, and adopting a disciplined mindset, you’ll be better equipped to make informed choices and avoid the pitfalls of impulsive betting.

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Popular Casino Games at 1Red

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1Red Casino has quickly emerged as one of the best casino betting platforms available for betting enthusiasts in Canada. Players can find tons of casino games available to place bets on this platform and secure winnings. They will be able to start playing the games within a few minutes with the help of the simple and user-friendly interface of the betting platform. However, new users may also find it challenging to choose any casino game and start placing bets as the number of games available on this site is massive. Players can check out the list of popular games at 1Red Casino below.

Slots

Slot games are the centre of attraction for casino betting enthusiasts at 1Red, as they will be able to find an extensive range of slot games available at this site. This includes slot games from several popular developers around the world, such as NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming, Micro Gaming, Play’N Go, and many others. Players will be able to enjoy playing across the classic slot games and even the modern titles, with the opportunity to grab impressive winnings. Also, they will be able to place bets over the progressive jackpot games and secure massive winnings.

Table Games at 1Red

At 1Red, even the classic casino enthusiasts will be able to find the popular table games available for them to place bets and secure winnings. They will be able to use the skills and strategies to place bets at the popular table games on the site, which are as follows:

  • Baccarat: Players will be going against the dealer to place bets on which hand will have the card values closer to 9.
  • Blackjack: It is also similar to Baccarat, as players go against the dealer with the main objective of getting their card values close to 21 and not exceeding the same to secure winnings.
  • Roulette: In this game, a wheel is spun in every round, and players can place bets on the numbers or colors to grab winnings.
  • Poker: Players can test their strategy by playing the Poker game, going against the other fellow players with the best card combination decided as the winner.

Live Dealer Games at 1Red

1Red casino betting platform also allows users to play the Live dealer games, where they can join the live streams of the games and start placing bets with the availability of real-time dealers and other players at the same table. These games will have professional dealers who will be providing them with a real-time gambling experience. It even allows users to communicate with each other at the same time, through which they can increase interaction and even learn more strategies. The casino games that players will be able to play in the live casino section include Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette, Poker, and various others, with their variations.

Specialty Games

The specialty games at 1Red are also gaining a lot of popularity among betting enthusiasts in Canada. These games are useful for those bettors who want to place bets on casino games that are based on luck. They will be able to find various games, such as Keno, Bingo, and Scratch cards, where they can start playing with small amounts and even get a chance to secure massive winnings. Along with that, these games can be played quickly by the bettors, which will help them reveal their winnings within a few minutes and gear up for the upcoming round of the game.

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