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- North Carolina Bettors Face Steep Taxes on Losses Under New Law
- FIFA World Cup Betting Continues
- Missouri Casino Robber Arrested
- Alleged Lucchese Crime Family Members Plead Guilty to Racketeering Charges Connected to N.J. Gambling Ring
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World Cup
Thursday Games and What's at Stake
Thursday June 25, 2026 (8:39 am EDT)
4 pm EDT - Ecuador +420 vs. Germany -185 (Draw +380) - Germany has already stamped its ticket out of the group stage with Ecuador in a tougher position here having to face off against one of the World Cup favorites. Ecuador sits on just one point and has yet to score in the tournament. A win over Germany gives Ecuador an excellent chance of reaching the Round of 32, either automatically or as one of the best third-place teams.
4 pm EDT - Curacao +1500 Ivory Coast -650 (Draw +650) - Ivory Coast will likely advance beyond the group stage with a win over Curacao. A draw could also be enough, especially if Ecuador fails to beat Germany. Curacao has 1 point after losing badly to Germany and drawing Ecuador. Curaçao needs a win to have any real chance of advancing. A draw likely leaves them short.
7 pm EDT - Tunisia +2700 Netherlands -1250 (Draw +1000) - Netherlands are the biggest favorite of the day going up against Tunisia, a team that has performed poorly this World Cup. Netherlands has 4 points after drawing Japan 2-2 and beating Sweden 5-1. A win or draw likely sends the Dutch through, and a win could secure first place. Tunisia has 0 points after losses to Sweden and Japan. Tunisia must beat the Netherlands and would still need major help on goal difference and the Japan-Sweden result.
7 pm EDT - Japan -115 Sweden +240 (Draw +340) - By far one of the better matches of the day with Japan and Sweden both in a position to advance beyond the group stage with a win. A win by Japan guarantees first place in Group F and likely a more favorable Round of 32 matchup. A draw is enough to qualify for the knockout stage and could still be enough to win the group depending on the Netherlands-Tunisia result, which almost seems inevitable that Netherlands are victorious. A win over Japan gives Sweden the best chance to finish in the top two and reach the Round of 32 outright. A draw could leave Sweden needing to qualify as one of the tournament's best third-place teams, depending on other groups. Goal difference and total goals could become important tiebreakers if teams finish level on points.
10 pm EDT - Paraguay +175 Australia +310 (Draw +125) - Australia will likely finish 2nd with a win and advance while the same holds true if Paraguay wins here.
10 pm EDT - Turkiye +275 USA -115 (Draw +125) - Turkiye must win here as they sit on a disappointing zero points. But even a win probably won't mean they advance. The USA is already in.
Gambling News (North Carolina)
North Carolina Bettors Face Taxes on Losses Under New Law
Thursday June 25, 2026 (8:35 am EDT)
A provision in Senate Bill 595 requires sportsbooks to share records of anyone with $2,000 or more in gross winnings from a single app, applying retroactively to 2025 for tax verification. Unlike federal rules, the state taxes all winnings at 4.25% with no loss deductions, prompting backlash from bettors and analysts who warn it could push players to offshore or corner bookies. Senate leader Phil Berger now supports adding loss deductions, while a separate bill remains stalled, leaving bettors awaiting the governor's decision amid booming legal wagering.
Gambling Crime (Booneville, Missouri)
Boonville Missouri Casino Robber Apprehended Following FBI Reward Announcement
Thursday June 25, 2026 (8:35 am EDT)
Just five days after the FBI announced a reward for the Hollis C. Vanleer Jr wanted in connection to March armed robbery of Isle of Capri Casino in Booneville, Missouri, the alleged perpetrator has been captured in Bloomington, Illinois. The FBI offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Vanleer Jr., who is wanted for his alleged involvement in the March armed robbery of the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville, Missouri on March 25. The FBI considered Vanleer Jr. to be armed and dangerous prior to his capture.
Poker
World Series of Poker Returns to ESPN with Solana Integration for Crypto Buy-Ins
Gambling Crime
Alleged Lucchese Crime Family Members Plead Guilty to Racketeering Charges Connected to N.J. Gambling Ring
Wednesday June 24, 2026 (7:11 pm EDT)
Eight defendants pleaded guilty in connection with the investigation, which included charges of money laundering. Prosecutors said the defendants were involved with poker clubs and collected "rent" from the hosts of the games. Three defendants pleaded guilty to racketeering in exchange for recommended seven-year sentences. "Each poker club was operated by high-level managers who delegated day-to-day operations to managers who were present during poker games," the attorney general's office said. "Managers collected monetary dues called 'rent' from poker hosts for permitting the games to occur and oversaw employees who worked in the clubs." The New Jersey faction of the Lucchese family's leadership allegedly oversaw operations and received a cut of the proceeds, prosecutors said. "The investigation resulted in the identification of $4.79 million in suspected criminal proceeds," prosecutors said. "Members of the criminal enterprise used multiple shell corporations and legitimate businesses to conceal their illegal gambling proceeds."
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
