Latest news with #NCAAMarchMadnessTournament
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Attorney General warns about March Madness betting schemes
As the 2025 NCAA March Madness Tournament gets underway, Attorney General Kwame Raoul urged Illinoisians who are considering making a wager on basketball games to be fully informed about the risks of online and app-based sports betting before deciding whether to place a bet. March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, as well as the month designated for the NCAA Tournament for college men and women's basketball. Attorney General Raoul is encouraging fans who may be filling out Brackets and thinking about placing wagers on their favorite teams to be aware of the risks of unlicensed operators. 'March Madness is the most exciting time of year for college basketball fans. Whether you are rooting for your favorite team or getting behind this year's 'Cinderella' team, be sure to take steps to protect your money and personal information before placing wagers online or using sports betting apps,' Raoul said. 'Sports betting operators must be licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board in order to operate in the state of Illinois. Be sure you are not inadvertently using an unlicensed betting operator before putting your money on the line. The only feeling worse than having your Bracket busted in the first round is losing your money or personal information by using an unlicensed sports betting operator.' Certain sports betting apps and websites are allowed to operate within the state of Illinois; however, operators must be licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board and in compliance with state regulations. People can visit the Illinois Gaming Board's website and check its licensee list to find out if a sportsbook is authorized to operate in Illinois. 'The IGB is pleased to collaborate with Attorney General Raoul to remind Illinoisans who plan to wager on March Madness games to do so responsibly and safely, which includes avoiding unlicensed and illegal operators,' said Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. 'Don't be fooled by unregulated sportsbooks whose offerings mimic legal betting products without any patron protections and regulatory safeguards. If you plan to bet, stay within your financial limits and only patronize approved, legal Illinois sports wagering, video gaming and casino operators.' The Illinois Gaming Board is cracking down on unlicensed betting operators, including those that offer casino-style gambling in addition to sports and fantasy betting. Last month, the Gaming Board issued cease and desist letters to Drafters Inc., doing business as Harp Media B.V., doing business as and SidePrize LLC, doing business as PrizePicks; and Talid Sports Inc, doing business as allegedly unlicensed sports wagering sites, warning them to cease unlicensed sports betting in Illinois. Separately, fantasy sports operator PrizePicks has agreed to cease offering single-player contests in Illinois, as the Legislature considers regulating fantasy sports wagering. In addition, Sleeper, another fantasy sports operator, confirmed it does not offer single-player contests in Illinois. Raoul also encouraged March Madness fans to consider the following tips before placing a bet: • Check to make sure the operator you are considering holds a valid Illinois license by using the Illinois Gaming Board's online licensee list. • Do your research. Check websites like the Better Business Bureau and search using the company's name and 'scam,' or read reviews on gambling forums. • Beware of suspicious texts/emails inviting you to participate in gambling, especially if sent from unfamiliar sources. Messages could be coming from scammers trying to steal your money and personal data. • Beware of fake websites. Scammers may use ads and sponsored links to trick you into visiting their websites, so double check to ensure you typed the name of the right website. • If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of suspicious bonuses or similar offers. • Read the fine print of promotional offers to make sure there are not hidden costs or obligations. Be aware that state law prohibits Illinois residents from betting on Illinois collegiate teams, regardless of whether wagers are placed using online or app-based sportsbooks or in person. Gambling inherently comes with risks, and gambling addiction affects Illinoisans from all walks of life. Illinois residents struggling with an addition to gambling can contact the Illinois Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, or text 'ILGAMB' to 833234 for help and resources. Those struggling with a gambling problem can also sign up for the Illinois Gaming Board's Self-Exclusion Program to prevent themselves from being able to gamble at casinos, online and using app-based sportsbooks. If you believe you have been the victim of fraud, Raoul encourages you to file a complaint with the Attorney General's website or the Illinois Gaming Board. Consumers can also call one of the Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Hotlines at 800-386-5438 (Chicago) or 800-243-0618 (Springfield).
Forbes
24-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Businesses Can Empower Students To "Go Pro" In STEM
Chris Moore is CEO of FIRST, a global community preparing young people 4-18 for the future through inclusive, team-based robotics programs. Every spring, Americans watch with great interest as their favorite college basketball teams vie for an NCAA March Madness Tournament berth: In 2024, the men's tournament averaged nearly 9.9 million viewers per game, and the women's championship game crushed previous viewership records when it peaked at 24 million viewers. Sports are a huge part of American culture, in which professional athletes are lauded for their talent, captivating their audiences and uniting communities of fans. Becoming a professional athlete is a dream for countless young people, many of whom aspire to follow in the footsteps of stars like Tom Brady or Serena Williams. However, while these young people strive toward the high-profile greatness of the big leagues, the number who actually go on to play professionally is minuscule, with just 2% of NCAA student athletes reaching that status. On the flip side, every young person has the potential to carve out a meaningful, successful future for themselves in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Not only is 'going pro' in STEM beneficial for students' long-term job and financial prospects, but growing the pool of qualified professionals is critical for business. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that STEM occupations will grow by 10.4% from 2023 to 2033, while non-STEM occupations are only projected to grow by 3.6%. With this rapid rise in STEM opportunities, investing in STEM education and career paths is crucial for meeting the demand for skilled professionals. By supporting STEM growth and exposure from a young age, businesses can help the next generation flourish and build a talent pipeline that leads right to their front doors. Here's how: To help young people reach their potential, supportive adults and the business community need to work together to drive excitement about these subjects from young ages. One solution is in the framing: When learning is positioned like a sport and models distinct roles, collaboration and competition, it can excite young people and drive participation. Transforming education into hands-on opportunities through mediums like youth robotics programs—which often include competition, problem-solving and team-based elements—can allow students to see it as a sport in its own right. Businesses can support youth STEM extracurricular clubs and teams as they would any other sports team by providing them with funding, in-kind donations and coaching. While young Americans will always admire professional athletes, they can also be inspired by STEM pioneers like Grace Hopper and Steve Jobs. Not to mention, STEM role models do not have to be of the celebrity type: They can be everyday doctors, engineers or inventors in whom a young person can see themselves. Businesses can help create this inspiration—and bolster their talent pools—by encouraging employees to speak with or volunteer in local STEM classrooms. One approach is to encourage employee mentorship by providing dedicated volunteer hours and tying their participation to performance reviews or bonuses. Additionally, companies can offer internships or factory tours designed to mimic the excitement of sports training camps, creating immersive, hands-on experiences that make technical fields feel dynamic and aspirational. A career in sports usually does not offer a lot of versatility because of the high degree of specialization required. STEM learning, however, is not one-size-fits-all. It is an educational chameleon that lets young people pursue their passions and apply them in many ways. In my experience, when students build a solid STEM foundation in elementary, middle and high school, they are set up to do anything they want once they reach college and the working world. From programming and engineering to lighting design and graphic arts, all roads lead back to STEM. Young people need early exposure to these careers to understand not only that they are within reach, but how to get there. Whether it's participating in career days, speaking to classrooms or helping coach STEM extracurriculars, creating connections between professionals and students is a great way to illustrate how STEM opens career doors. Every student has the potential to "go pro" in STEM if they receive the encouragement, resources and championing to get them there. The business community can make all the difference in helping students chart their futures. If we can ring in a new wave of interest and passion for science and technology, as well as ignite a desire within the next generation to make a positive impact in the world, I believe we can all have a little more hope for a brighter future. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
