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Gambling News
Nicole Noren, a Decorated ESPN Producer, Quits in Protest Over Company's Entry Into Sports Betting Sector
Thursday October 15, 2026 (9:04 am EDT)
For ESPN producer Nicole Noren, ESPN Bet was the last straw. “I was out,” she said in an interview. “I’m not going to work for a gambling company and have blood on my hands.” Noren was still working at ESPN when ESPN Bet launched in November 2023. But she left ESPN in 2024.
Here's the timeline:
- August 2023: ESPN announced its $1.5 billion, 10-year agreement with PENN Entertainment.
- November 2023: ESPN Bet launched while Noren was still employed at ESPN.
- 2024: Noren departed ESPN, citing objections to its embrace of sports gambling.
- November 2025: ESPN terminated its PENN partnership and moved to DraftKings.
- October 14, 2026: Noren's interview with the Columbia Journalism Review was published, prompting the current headlines.
Gambling Crime
Former Philly-Based Sports Gambler Pleaded Guilty in Gambling Scandals Targeting the NBA, NCAA, and Chinese League
Thursday October 15, 2026 (9:04 am EDT)
A former Philadelphia-based professional gambler pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to helping engineer two separate betting schemes: One in which he bribed players to underperform in the NCAA and Chinese professional league, the other in which he placed bets on NBA contests using inside information about player injuries or performance. Shane Hennen, 41, said little beyond answering routine legal questions while admitting to crimes including bribery and wire fraud. He declined to comment afterward. (read more from the Philadelphia Inquirer)
Casino Crime
South Florida Casino Carjacking Suspect Captured One Month Later
Thursday October 15, 2026 (8:46 am EDT)
Julio Salermo, 33, was charged with robbery/carjacking on Tuesday, one month after the incident occurred at the Miccosukee Casino & Resort outside of Miami.
Casino Crime
Justice for Peachy: Trial of Man Accused of Stealing Flamingo From Casino Habitat Begins
Thursday October 15, 2026 (8:46 am EDT)
The trial for a Canadian tourist accused of stealing and torturing a flamingo from a casino pool began on Wednesday with a security guard on his smoke break during a graveyard shift testifying about a voice crackled over the radio, “someone took a flamingo.” Mitchell Fairbarn, 33, faces four counts of animal cruelty in connection with the March incident involving Peachy whereby he is accused of forcibly grabbing the beloved flamingo and dragging him to his hotel room at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas where the bird happily lived in his habitat until that evening. Fairbarn claims he was drunk at the time the flamingo was removed the early morning hours of March 3. He has pleaded not guilty. The day prior, during juror selection, one prospective juror had to be removed after making disparaging remarks against Fairbarn, suggesting he believed the defendant was guilty of the crime against Peachy the Flamingo.
Top Trending (Sports)
Top Trending in Sports This Hour
Thursday October 15, 2026 (8:46 am EDT)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Smith-Njigba (ankle) practiced fully Wednesday and doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game in Denver, Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle reports. The Seahawks listed Smith-Njigba as limited on practice estimates Monday and Tuesday due to an ankle issue, but it didn't hold him back Wednesday, and he thus is in the clear for Week 6 action. Prop bets are available for Smith-Njigba for Thursday night's highly anticipated game between the Seahawks and Jaguars.
- Lech Poznan VS Bayer Leverkusen - Lech Poznan (paying $450 for every $100 bet should they win) host -210 favorites Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League at Enea stadion on 2026-10-15 GMT. Lech Poznan have collected three wins from five Europa League matches this season, and have been perfect at home with two victories out of two in the competition. Bayer Leverkusen arrive after winning their most recent league match, and have taken two wins from their last four away fixtures. Lech Poznan have managed to score at least 2 goals in seven of their previous ten matches, while Bayer Leverkusen have hit 2 or more goals in each of their last six games. The draw will pay out $360 for every $100 bet. Patrik Schick is priced at -120 to score an anytime goal while Martin Terrier pays $200 on a $100 bet to do so.
- Torreense v Sunderland - Sunderland is the big -360 favorite here with Torreense promising an $800 payout on every $100 bet with an upset win. União Torreense have enjoyed a perfect start in the competition, winning their only Europa League match so far. The Portuguese side have shown some resilience at home, drawing two of their last three fixtures on their own turf. Sunderland, by contrast, have lost three of their previous six games in all competitions and have suffered defeat in two of their last three away matches.
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
