Culture

America’s Sports Betting Bonanza Explained

Published

1 year ago

March 28, 2024

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Until quite recently, Americans could only legally bet on sports by traveling to a brick-and-mortar sportsbook in Nevada and exchanging physical currency for a slip detailing their wagers. That was then.

In a landmark 2018 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which previously restricted wagering on sports other than horse and dog racing (which employ parimutuel systems akin to peer-to-peer pools) to Las Vegas, Reno, and other Nevada locales. The court’s decision cleared the way for every state to legalize sports betting. New Jersey was the first to do so in 2018 and, since then, about 30 more have followed suit.

But as with marijuana laws, sports betting takes on different shapes, depending on the state. Some, like Washington, restrict such betting to tribal gaming properties. Others, like Tennessee, only offer mobile sports wagering, with bettors forced to use their phones or computers to get bets down instead of visiting a retail sportsbook. Most fall somewhere in between, and some really big ones, like California and Texas, have yet to legalize sports betting. (Naturally, Florida continues to be a nanny state.)

If you live in a state where sports betting’s not legal, it’s perfectly permissible to hit the interstate until you cross into a state where such wagering is legal, pull off at the first exit, download an authorized sportsbook app like DraftKings or FanDuel, place bets on your phone, and drive back home. That really, truly happens — a lot. And until New York launched mobile sports wagering shortly last month, Big Apple residents often biked to the middle of the George Washington Bridge, where they were technically in New Jersey, to get their bets down in a de facto al fresco sportsbook before pedaling back to their abodes.

As for the betting itself, it’s best to crawl before you (hopefully) sprint to the bank. In fact, if you have the mobility and means, it’s probably best to place your first bet in person at a sportsbook — namely Circa or the Westgate SuperBook — in Las Vegas, where patient, professional oddsmakers and tellers will be happy to walk you through the process and what all those numbers mean. Short of that, if you have access to a brick-and-mortar sportsbook within driving distance of your home, head there and have someone show you the ropes.

But if you’re determined to shun the IRL experience and bust out your phone to bet on the Super Bowl, remember that “risk-free bets” are typically anything but. By all means, take advantage of the plethora of mobile sportsbook promotions; they’re in the midst of a massive customer-acquisition cockfight, and unafraid to dole out free money to bludgeon rival birds. But if you don’t know what you’re doing — like, if you make a parlay bet without knowing what a parlay is, or wager with an offshore sportsbook without realizing you’ve just entered a very gray (bordering on black) market — it’ll soon be your money, not theirs, that you’re sacrificing.

Some helpful pointers heading in: Plus money — i.e., taking the Bengals on the moneyline at +170 — will pay far more handsomely than negative juice (i.e., taking either side of the Bengals-Rams spread at -110). And if you’re picking the moneyline, you’re picking the Bengals to win the game, period, regardless of what the point spread (Rams by 4 to 4.5, depending on what sportsbook you visit) is. That’s why you’re getting the plus money, because betting on the underdog to win is riskier than betting on them to lose by less than four points.

Parlays — where two or more betting events have to happen in order for your ticket to cash — might be where the big bucks are made, but smart money always wins. Start slow, be responsible, and don’t chase your losses. Predetermine how much money you’re willing to lose in one sitting and stop wagering when you reach that amount. Study what you’re betting on before you bet on it.

Do all this and, eventually, sports betting could become a lucrative hobby or, at worst, a fun, low-cost diversion on par with a Friday-night bar tab. Today, roughly 43% of Canadian and Americans do it.

Mike Seely is an associate editor with Better Collective, which owns several sports betting websites, including Sports Handle and US Bets.

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Cannabis

White House Finally Comments On Marijuana Industry

Published

4 hours ago

April 1, 2025

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Part of the cannabis industry supported the new president, betting he was going to move and move quickly on cannabis – the White House finally commented.

The cannabis industry has been a boon for consumers, medical patients, veterans and legal states, but for the thousands of mom and pop businesses is has been a roller coaster. With a huge demand, it would seem to be easy money, but the federal, tax, and banking restrictions have made it difficult to grow and expand. Part of the industry were all for the new administration assuming they would support positive change, but many in the new cabinet and the House Speaker Mike Johnson are foes. Now the White House finally comments on marijuana industry…and it doesn’t show a clear path.

The administration’s current stance on marijuana reform is marked by inaction, despite campaign promises and earlier signals of support for cannabis-related reforms. A White House official recently confirmed that “no action is being considered at this time” regarding marijuana policy, leaving advocates and industry stakeholders uncertain about the administration’s priorities.

During his campaign, the resident expressed support for rescheduling marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which would move it from Schedule I to Schedule III, easing restrictions on medical use and enabling cannabis businesses to access banking and tax benefits. However, since taking office, no concrete steps have been taken to advance this initiative. A DEA hearing on rescheduling, initially planned for January 2025, was postponed due to procedural appeals and remains unscheduled.

The president has also voiced support for state autonomy in cannabis policy and endorsed state-level legalization initiatives, such as Florida’s failed 2024 ballot measure for recreational marijuana. While this reflects a more favorable stance compared to his first term, his administration has yet to prioritize federal reforms like the SAFE Banking Act, which would facilitate banking services for cannabis businesses. Efforts to include such measures in a government funding bill late last year were unsuccessful.

The delay in federal action has significant implications for the cannabis industry. Rescheduling marijuana could alleviate financial burdens by eliminating restrictions under IRS Code Section 280E and promoting medical research. However, the stalled process leaves businesses navigating regulatory uncertainties and limited financial access.

While stakeholders continue lobbying for reform, the administration appears focused on other priorities such as immigration and foreign policy. Advocates hope the President will leverage his influence to advance cannabis reform, but for now, the issue remains sidelined. Until then the industry struggles and waits.

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april fools

The History Behind April Fool’s Day

Published

7 hours ago

April 1, 2025

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Love it or hate it – April Fool’s Day is here to stay…and here is the history behind this unique tradition

From Britain to India, it is a popular day of pranks, laughs and silliness. From Google to Burger King has participated and some people spend endless hours planning the perfect joke. But what is the history behind April Fool’s Day? It is celebrated annually on April 1, is a global tradition marked by pranks and jokes. Despite its widespread popularity, the origins of this playful holiday remain uncertain, with several theories tracing its roots to different historical events and cultural practices.

Both April Fools’ Day and Día de Los Inocentes mark days when people play practical jokes on one another. April Fools’ Day is primarily celebrated in English-speaking countries, while Día de Los Inocentes is more widely marked in Spanish-speaking countries. A key way Día de Los Inocentes differs from April Fools’ Day is it celebrated on December 28th every year

Some of the most famous April Fool’s pranks include The Swiss Spaghetti Harvest, where the BBC broadcast a segment showing peasants harvesting spaghetti from trees in Switzerland. Another notable prank was when radio station KGB-FM in San Diego announced that the Space Shuttle was landing at a local airport, drawing over 1,000 people. Google has also been known for its annual April Fool’s jokes, such as the “Hyper Text Coffee Pot Control Protocol”. Additionally, brands like Pornhub have participated with humorous site name changes, such as “Cornhub” and “Hornhub”

One popular theory links April Fool’s Day to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, initiated by Pope Gregory XIII. Before this change, many European countries followed the Julian calendar, where the new year began around late March or early April. Those who continued celebrating the old New Year date were mocked as “April fools,” giving rise to the holiday’s name and customs.

A Burger Kind April Fool's prank....

Another theory suggests that April Fool’s Day may have originated from ancient spring festivals such as Rome’s Hilaria or India’s Holi. Hilaria, celebrated in late March, involved games, disguises, and mockery of neighbors, while Holi featured playful pranks and joyous festivities marking the arrival of spring.

The first definitive reference to April Fool’s Day comes from a 1561 Flemish poem by Eduard de Dene. In this humorous tale, a nobleman sends his servant on absurd errands for nonexistent items, a prank still known as a “fool’s errand.” This poem solidifies April Fool’s Day as an established tradition by the late Middle Ages.

In France, the day became known as poisson d’avril (“April fish”), where children would pin paper fish on unsuspecting friends’ backs. This tradition symbolizes gullibility, likening victims to young fish easily caught.

By the 18th century, April Fool’s Day had spread across Europe and North America. In Scotland, it evolved into “Gowkie Day,” where people were sent on wild goose chases. The following day, “Tailie Day,” involved pranks like pinning “kick me” signs on others. Media outlets also began participating in the holiday by publishing fake headlines and stories—a tradition that continues today.

While the exact origin remains debated, April Fool’s Day thrives as an opportunity for lighthearted fun worldwide. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to bring laughter and mischief into everyday life, transcending cultural boundaries and historical uncertainties.

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comfort food

Does Comfort Food Actually Help

Published

23 hours ago

March 31, 2025

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When sick or sad, people gravitate to comfort food – but does it make a difference?

Everyone gets down, stressed or just in a mood, and a number of people wants something to make them feel good. Comfort food is a go to indulgence which lifts the spirts. In North America, some top comfort foods include pot roast, lasagna, chocolate, ice cream and cookies….around the world it includes rice, yogurt, pizza, ramen, and boeuf bourguignon. It is an excuse to enjoy favorite flavors, but does comfort food actually help?

The answer is nuanced, as comfort foods can provide both emotional relief and potential drawbacks depending on the individual and circumstances. Comfort food has been shown to improve mood temporarily, especially for emotional eaters. Studies suggest that the palatability of food plays a significant role in mood enhancement, with tastier foods providing greater comfort during moments of sadness or stress. Emotional eaters often experience satisfaction and mood improvement after consuming comfort food, while non-emotional eaters may not derive the same benefit, particularly under stress. Additionally, comfort foods can evoke nostalgia and positive memories, acting as social surrogates that remind individuals of meaningful connections and moments of belonging.

vanilla flavor ice cream with chocolate syrup

From a physiological perspective, consuming sweet and fatty comfort foods can release dopamine and serotonin, chemicals linked to pleasure and mood elevation. This process can dampen stress responses in the body by reducing cortisol levels and activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. However, these effects are often short-lived and may lead to unhealthy eating habits if relied upon excessively.

While comfort foods can provide immediate emotional relief, they may also contribute to negative health outcomes if consumed excessively. High-calorie comfort foods rich in sugar and fat are associated with weight gain, metabolic risks, and increased likelihood of depression over time. This creates a feedback loop where individuals turn to unhealthy food to combat stress but experience worsening mental health as a result.

Interestingly, studies show that healthy alternatives like fruits and vegetables can offer similar mood-boosting benefits without the health risks associated with traditional comfort foods. Incorporating omega-3 fatty acids or dark chocolate in moderation can also enhance mood while supporting overall health. Social aspects of eating—such as sharing meals with loved ones—can amplify the emotional benefits of food without overindulgence.

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