A recent study revealed that viewers of the Stanley Cup finals encountered an average of 3.5 gambling marketing messages per minute, with some broadcasts showing an ad every 13 seconds. This surge in advertising follows the 2018 Supreme Court decision that legalized sports betting in many US states, leading to increased spending by online betting companies. Researchers recorded over 6,200 instances of gambling-related marketing during the Stanley Cup and NBA finals games, with NHL broadcasts displaying significantly more advertising than the NBA. Experts are now calling for federal regulation to address the potential for escalating sports gambling addiction.
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Following the 2022 decriminalization of cannabis, Thailand is tightening its grip on the herb by prohibiting recreational sales without a prescription. This decision, spurred by public concerns regarding youth access and addiction rates, will reclassify cannabis buds as a controlled substance. The new regulations, signed by the health minister, come amidst a government shift and are intended to revert the policy to focus on medical use only. Industry members and tourists alike have expressed shock and concern over the potential reversal of a billion-dollar industry, with the exact implementation date remaining unclear.
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The European Commission launched an investigation into Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) for insufficient age verification measures. The Commission alleges the platforms’ one-click self-declarations are ineffective in preventing minors from accessing adult content. Potential penalties include fines up to 6% of global annual turnover if the platforms fail to implement effective age verification. While Stripchat’s designation as a “very large online platform” was revoked, the investigation into its age verification practices continues. The Commission emphasized its commitment to swift action depending on the platforms’ response.
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John Q. Hosedrinker