The sports gambling world is still on pins and needles, waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to issue its ruling on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). PASPA prohibits virtually all states from offering sports gambling activities, giving that ability to almost exclusively Nevada. New Jersey has repeatedly tried to have PASPA tossed out of the game, but its multiple pleas have fallen on deaf ears. It looks like the state’s relentless pursuit could finally pay off, as virtually everyone expects the court to repeal the law.

In repeatedly trying to have PASPA overturned, the Garden State has racked up quite the tab. It has over $7 million in legal fees related to its five-year fight, with the payments reportedly coming out of revenue generated from the state’s casinos and racetracks. The information was divulged from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted by news outlet Observer.

Information in the FOIA request revealed that the law firm of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has billed former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie a total of $5.6 million. The firm represented Christie beginning in October of 2012 until August of 2017. When Christie left office last year, the firm was retained by New Jersey’s new governor, Phil Murphy.

It’s worth pointing out that Gibson Dunn & Crutcher was the law firm retained by Christie to investigate “Bridgegate” in 2013. In that scandal, Christie, in conjunction with staff and political appointees were accused of collusion in creating traffic jams along the George Washington Bridge. Two of three toll lanes were shut down without notification on September 9 of that year, and weren’t reopened until September 13. Rumors circulated that the action was a retaliatory measure by Christie, or at least his subordinates, but it was never proven that Christie had any involvement.

In this week’s Calling the Clock we bring you news of a live tournament shake-up, why poker is a much better place because of the women in the game, and much more. 

After watching Ready Player One, you realise how ridiculous it has been for the Football Associations (FAs) around the world to take so long to introduce goal line and video assistant referee (VAR) technology. And yet, despite now knowing with 100% assuredness if the player dived; if the ball crossed the line; or if he was offside, people still hate change.

Earlier this week, fans sent a package full of bullets to the leaders of the Italian referees association (AIA) warning them not to support the widespread rollout of the VAR technology through the top-tier Italian Leagues.

Are the poker chiefs concerned about bullets?

Philippines-based Bloomberry Resorts Corp. is doing well. The casino company reached new heights last year, bringing in more than twice its revenue from 2016. Its flagship resort, Solaire Resort and Casino, was the main breadwinner, while its South Korean operations took a substantial beating.

On Thursday, Bloomberry CEO Enrique K. Razon, Jr. reported that 2017’s income was more than $116 million. Net losses were reduced to just under $4 million—down from $21 million from the previous year—and stemmed primarily from losses incurred from its South Korean segment.  The amount represented a decrease of 82% in losses.

Solaire’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) climbed 16%, reaching more than $844 billion. This is the highest on record for the casino, which opened its doors five years ago. Combined with the revenue from Bloomberry’s Jeju Sun casino, GGR rose a total of 17% for a total take of more than $862 billion. Razon said of the performance, “Going into our fifth year of operation has become even more exciting with our 2017 results in sync with the growth trajectories we have aimed for.”

Meanwhile, nongaming revenue for Solaire climbed by 40%, also setting a new record for the company. A total of $63 million was brought in, due to improvements the company has made in the areas of hotel, food and beverage and retail offerings. The hotel and food and beverage segment enjoyed 32% more traffic, while retail saw a jump of 80%, with a substantial increase in customers shopping in the strip mall located on the property.

The poker industry continues its Robin Hood persona with another group of poker players looking to donate a significant lump of change to effective charities.

Fuck my life.

I had never heard that saying before I accidentally discovered a world where people play poker for a living. Daniel Negreanu wants you to watch Unacknowledged a Netflix documentary about aliens. But we don’t need a Hubble telescope to see an alien civilisation. Poker is it.

The fuck my life phrase is, of course, a joke. All poker players whether they win or lose know in the lining of their gut that they are incredibly privileged to call professional poker a career.

The World Series of Poker plans to introduce the Big Blind Ante into the 8 of the 78 scheduled events for the Summer, and the World Series of Poker Europe returns to the King’s Casino in October.

My boy and I managed to get into Wagamama’s at noon, order and eat and still managed to get into our cinema seats to watch Ready Player One by 12:50.

And I don’t just devour food, quickly. I do everything at a fast pace. The ulcer beneath my tongue acts as a reminder to slow down. Perhaps, this is the reason I am a little impatient with the speed at which the poker world operates. Even partypoker applied the handbrake this week.

Yesterday, I wrote about the changing face of the live tournament scene after partypoker announced plans to introduce the Shot Clock at select events at the MILLIONS Grand Final in Barcelona, including a level away from the money in the Main Event.

Another look at the odds for the weekend Premier League fixtures including a Manchester derby that could result in a title win for City, and a look at the eight clubs in with a shout of relegation. 

Man City v Man Utd 

Man City 17/20

Man Utd 3/1