Categories for News

Oct 22

2024

Poloncarz blasts Brown for hiring Steve Casey at OTB

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The elected official with the greatest sway over Western Regional Off-Track Betting is “incredibly disappointed” that former Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has brought a controversial former deputy with him to his new post as head of the troubled public gambling corporation. “Former Mayor Brown committed to the Board of Directors that he would move Western Region OTB towards transparency and accountability,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said in a statement to Investigative Post. Hiring Steven M. Casey — “an incredibly toxic force in Buffalo City Hall for decades,” according to Poloncarz — “moves Western Region OTB in the complete opposite[...]

Posted 7 months ago

Oct 20

2024

Brown brings long-time aide Steve Casey to OTB

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Steven Casey, left, and Byron Brown, right. File photo by WKBW. Steven M. Casey — Byron Brown’s former deputy mayor and top political advisor — is following his old boss to a job at Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. A source close to OTB leadership confirmed Casey, 58, is now working for the publicly owned gambling corporation and is on-site at Batavia Downs. The state comptroller’s office confirmed Casey began working part-time for OTB in September. OTB did not report a job title to the comptroller but projected his annual part-time wages would total $49,920. Casey — whose company pleaded[...]

Posted 7 months ago

Oct 20

2024

The Legal Loopholes in Online Gambling Regulations: Political Will or Political Gridlock?

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Despite the growth of online casinos and sports betting in the U.S., a key issue remains unresolved: legal loopholes that let operators bypass regulations. Many states have legalized online gambling to capture new revenue. But laws haven’t kept pace with the industry’s rapid changes. These gaps leave users exposed and weaken the legitimacy of the entire system. The question is whether this failure comes from political inaction, lack of will, or both. The Rise of Online Gambling and the Regulatory Lag Online gambling has expanded quickly. Many states moved fast to legalize it, but didn’t modernize their laws. New Jersey[...]

Posted 7 months ago

Oct 15

2024

Global Trends in Mobile Penetration: A Comprehensive Overview

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Mobile phones are everywhere. No matter where you look — in cities, towns, or even faraway villages — people are using their phones for much more than just calling or texting. Phones today help us pay bills, learn new things, and even run businesses. The way mobile phones have spread across the world is changing lives at a fast pace. In this article, we’ll look at how mobile penetration is growing globally, what’s driving it, and how it’s even shaking up industries like gambling in Africa.  Let’s explore how mobile phones are shaping the world we live in. Growth The[...]

Posted 7 months ago

Oct 14

2024

Trump’s Policy and Its Effect on Global Crypto Trading

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Cryptocurrency has become a major part of the global financial system, and government policies play a big role in shaping how it grows. During Donald Trump’s presidency, the U.S. government took specific steps that had a strong influence on how crypto was traded, both in the United States and around the world. While the Trump administration did not create new laws focused only on crypto, its general approach to financial regulation, trade, and enforcement still impacted the crypto industry. One area that felt the effects was global crypto trading, including the growing field of Bitcoin casinos. Overview of Trump’s Crypto[...]

Posted 7 months ago

Oct 12

2024

Key Points to Consider While Renting an Apartment

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Finding the right apartment can be exciting, but it’s also a big responsibility. Whether you’re renting for the first time or looking for a better place, it’s important to think about key factors before signing the lease. A good decision can save you stress, time, and even money. Careful choices also help avoid surprises later on, like hidden fees or maintenance issues. Interestingly, as more people rent across the country, many activists are working hard to improve renter protections. Let’s explore the important points you should keep in mind while renting an apartment! Location: More Than Just the Address Location[...]

Posted 7 months ago

Oct 10

2024

Ryan leads the mayoral money race

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State Sen. Sean Ryan is seeking reelection this fall, but he’s certainly raising and spending money like a guy who’s running for mayor of Buffalo next year. Ryan raised $110,000 over the last three months, according to his campaign committee’s most recent filing with the state elections board. Campaign finance disclosures for candidates on the ballot in November were due last Friday. The reports cover the period from July 11 to Sept. 30.  Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced two weeks ago he’d accepted a new job as president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting. Brown indicated he’d step down[...]

Posted 7 months ago

Oct 9

2024

A literal power struggle at STAMP

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Gov. Kathy Hochul, center, flings dirt into the air at Plug Power’s groundbreaking. Photo via governor’s office. The financial strife of Plug Power is causing headaches for a Western New York industrial park, leading economic development officials in Genesee County to seek state assistance and even court data centers in an effort to “save the day.” As it’s run dangerously low on cash, Plug Power has stopped construction of its hydrogen production plant at Genesee County’s Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park, located halfway between Buffalo and Rochester. The company’s building has been paused since January. That has meant construction[...]

Posted 7 months ago
Investigative Post