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bet365 replaces DraftKings as UFC’s official betting partner in North America. The new long‑term agreement gives bet365 exclusive sportsbook integration across UFC events in the U.S. and Canada, expanding in‑broadcast odds, digital content, and promotional betting offers tied to fight cards.
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MGM Resorts and BetMGM commit $1M+ to responsible gaming initiatives. The funding will support new research into bettor behavior and expand education campaigns aimed at safer sports‑betting practices across U.S. markets.
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Industry competition intensifying around major sports partnerships. Betting operators are increasingly using league deals and media integrations as growth drivers, especially as sportsbooks battle for customer acquisition ahead of peak betting events.
TRI‑STATE HEAT
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania / Philadelphia
GLOBAL GAMBLING BUZZ
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March Madness betting expected to hit a new record in 2026. Analysts project about $4B in legal wagers on the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments—up roughly 6.7% from 2025—making it the most‑bet sporting event in the U.S. calendar.
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Criticism intensifies around prediction‑market platforms. Financial watchdog group Better Markets warned that event‑contract trading tied to sports and politics could create risks similar to insider trading if oversight remains limited.
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Cheltenham Festival promotions ignite UK betting activity. Major bookmakers launched aggressive incentives—including free‑bet offers and profit‑leaderboard contests—to capitalize on one of horse racing’s largest wagering events.
HOROSCOPE HUSTLE — Entertainment Only
| Zodiac Sign |
Pick 3 |
Pick 4 |
| Aries |
632 |
4179 |
| Taurus |
204 |
8836 |
| Gemini |
745 |
2604 |
| Cancer |
591 |
1478 |
| Leo |
824 |
3910 |
| Virgo |
468 |
7083 |
| Libra |
153 |
6745 |
| Scorpio |
975 |
3194 |
| Sagittarius |
409 |
9516 |
| Capricorn |
684 |
2253 |
| Aquarius |
352 |
8617 |
| Pisces |
601 |
4479 |
The NCAA “Fixer” Scandal
The sports world is reeling from a massive federal investigation into a point-shaving scheme that allegedly involved 39 players across 17 different NCAA Division I teams.
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The Latest: On March 9, 2026, Jalen Smith (a player recruiter) pleaded guilty in Philadelphia to wire fraud and bribery.
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The Stakes: Prosecutors claim the ring rigged over 29 games between 2023 and 2025, paying players between $10,000 and $30,000 per game to play poorly or sit out.
Prediction Markets vs. Congress
A bipartisan bill was introduced in the House this week to ban “event contracts” tied to political elections, wars, and assassinations.
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The Drama: Platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi are under fire after users allegedly engaged in insider trading during Middle East geopolitical conflicts.
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The “Nuclear” Bet: Public outcry recently forced Polymarket to take down a controversial market where users could wager on the likelihood of “nuclear Armageddon.”
The “90% Loss” Tax Controversy
As of January 2026, new federal tax laws (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) have taken effect, sparking a fight in Nevada.
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The Rule: The IRS now caps deductible gambling losses at 90%.
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The Impact: If you win $100k but lose $100k, you can only deduct $90k—meaning you owe taxes on $10k of “phantom income” even though you didn’t actually make a profit. Nevada lawmakers are currently scrambling to repeal this.
🎟️ Lottery News & Wins
The $251 Million Powerball Strike
On March 3, 2026, a single ticket sold in Arkansas won a $251 million Powerball jackpot. This comes just months after an anonymous winner in the same state claimed a staggering $1.8 billion jackpot from Christmas 2025.
The “License Plate” Strategy
A Fort Washington man claimed a $100,000 prize this week after playing numbers he saw on a series of license plates. His advice to fellow players: “If you see a number three or four times, play it.”
Texas Lottery “Heist” Investigation
New rules were finalized this February following a 2023 scandal where rich investors “stacked the odds” for a $95 million Texas Lotto win. An investigation found that a London-based betting company used a pop-up vendor to buy nearly every possible number combination, leading to the resignation of the Texas Lottery’s executive director.
🏗️ New Openings & Expansions
