Secret Facebook groups are allowing Alaskans to gamble illegally by live-streaming pull-tab reveals. (Image: Casino.org)
Proxy betting is big in Asia. It’s popularity in America’s frozen northwestern extremity appears to be a more recent phenomenon, and one which has been driven by the coronavirus pandemic.
In the casinos of the Philippines, for example, proxy betting involves a customer, often based in China, providing betting instructions remotely to an agent (proxy) based on the casino floor or in a VIP lounge who physically places the wager.
In Alaska, where, like China, opportunities to gamble are scarce, it appears to involve hosts of Facebook groups collecting players’ money through payment apps and then opening pull tabs on their behalf. The process is streamed via Facebook Live.
Alaska Wants Facebook Gambling Groups Sent into Permanent Hibernation
Wednesday May 12, 2021 8:15PM
Alaska Wants Facebook Gambling Groups Sent into Permanent Hibernation By
The groups operate without gaming licenses and offer no protection to gamblers
Facebook hasn’t indicated whether it will get involved
Online gambling is a great alternative to land-based casino runs for a number of reasons. It allows the gambler to enjoy some entertainment while lounging around on the sofa, ensures social distancing is never a problem and provides a certain amount of anonymity that new gamblers find attractive. There’s something to be said about being able to gamble almost anytime and anywhere, but online gaming sites have certain risks, especially when they’re not regulated or monitored. As the
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Mon, 05/10/2021 - 11:48am
Trident Seafoods President of Alaska Operations Vic Scheibert, left, and CEO Joe Bundrant hold up one of the first Copper River king salmon of the 2020 season. Depressed demand amid pandemic restaurant closures and a poor return contributed to a rough season a year ago, but interest is picking up with the season set to begin May 17. (Photo/Courtesy/Alaska Airlines)
Alaska’s 2021 salmon officially starts on May 17 with a 12-hour opener for reds and kings at the Copper River.
All eyes will be on early Cordova dock prices for Alaska’s famous “first fresh salmon of the season” as an indicator of wild salmon markets. COVID-19 closures of high end restaurants and seafood outlets in 2020 tanked starting prices to $3 per pound for sockeyes and $6.50 for king salmon, down from $10 and $14, respectively the previous year.