Cricket Australia is keeping the enemies closer as it meet with unregulated international bookmakers to monitor the expected $3 billion bets on Big Bash League.

Cricket Australia is reportedly in talks with international bookmakers such as Philippines’ based SBOBET and the Caribbean-based Pinnacle Sports to better track the level of wager they have been taking on the Big Bash League (BBL), source told Sydney Morning Herald.

The KFC Big Bash League, an Australian domestic Twenty20 cricket tournament, has reached its midway point. It runs from December 17 2015 to January 24 2016 and looks to be on track to top last year’s AUD2.2b wagered over the five-week contest.

SBOBET as well as other international betting exchanges such as AAStar and Citibet are thought to be the major players not only on taking bets on BBL, but also for bets made by Australian punters on other sports.

Cricket Australia is keeping the enemies closer as it meet with unregulated international bookmakers to monitor the expected $3 billion bets on Big Bash League.

Cricket Australia is reportedly in talks with international bookmakers such as Philippines’ based SBOBET and the Caribbean-based Pinnacle Sports to better track the level of wager they have been taking on the Big Bash League (BBL), source told Sydney Morning Herald.

The KFC Big Bash League, an Australian domestic Twenty20 cricket tournament, has reached its midway point. It runs from December 17 2015 to January 24 2016 and looks to be on track to top last year’s AUD2.2b wagered over the five-week contest.

SBOBET as well as other international betting exchanges such as AAStar and Citibet are thought to be the major players not only on taking bets on BBL, but also for bets made by Australian punters on other sports.

Real Madrid has dispensed with the services of Rafael Benitez after seven months in charge, and Zinedine Zidane replaces him. Pep Guardiola announces that he decided to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season to manage in the Premier League.

Football has never experienced anything like it.

With Jose Mourinho sitting at home playing FIFA16, and Pep Guardiola declaring his intent to leave Bayern Munich in the summer, the two greatest football managers in modern times are both up for grabs.

But where will they end up?

Real Madrid has dispensed with the services of Rafael Benitez after seven months in charge, and Zinedine Zidane replaces him. Pep Guardiola announces that he decided to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season to manage in the Premier League.

Football has never experienced anything like it.

With Jose Mourinho sitting at home playing FIFA16, and Pep Guardiola declaring his intent to leave Bayern Munich in the summer, the two greatest football managers in modern times are both up for grabs.

But where will they end up?

It’s only a matter of time before sports betting is legalized in the United States. At least, that’s what Mark Cuban thinks.

In an interview with Fortune, the Dallas Mavericks team owner said it’s about time the country takes a deeper look at its sports betting laws, which he described as already “rotting in the dark ages.” In fact, the billionaire said an overhaul is “inevitable,” especially in light of the number of fantasy sports fans that continue to balloon across the country.

“It will take some time for the courts to overcome the grandstanding by a few district attorneys, but once that happens I think we will see a slow but sure availability of gambling across the country. The bottom line is that it will create needed tax revenue that states will want,” Cuban said in the interview.

Once that’s out of the way, Cuban said he also hopes to see partnerships between professional sports leagues and bookmakers formed—similar to what NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has been advocating since 2014.

It’s only a matter of time before sports betting is legalized in the United States. At least, that’s what Mark Cuban thinks.

In an interview with Fortune, the Dallas Mavericks team owner said it’s about time the country takes a deeper look at its sports betting laws, which he described as already “rotting in the dark ages.” In fact, the billionaire said an overhaul is “inevitable,” especially in light of the number of fantasy sports fans that continue to balloon across the country.

“It will take some time for the courts to overcome the grandstanding by a few district attorneys, but once that happens I think we will see a slow but sure availability of gambling across the country. The bottom line is that it will create needed tax revenue that states will want,” Cuban said in the interview.

Once that’s out of the way, Cuban said he also hopes to see partnerships between professional sports leagues and bookmakers formed—similar to what NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has been advocating since 2014.

The Australian Football League (AFL) starts the 2016 season with a ban!

The AFL has released details of planned gambling restrictions on league’s accredited media effective this year’s season.

Starting March 24, the first game of the 120th season of the Australian rules football competition, media personnel will be banned from gambling on AFL matches.

Instead of a blanket ban on all matches and events, media will have a partial ban in them at a time when they are “working or present” at a game and during a two-hour period before matches or during the game itself.

The Australian Football League (AFL) starts the 2016 season with a ban!

The AFL has released details of planned gambling restrictions on league’s accredited media effective this year’s season.

Starting March 24, the first game of the 120th season of the Australian rules football competition, media personnel will be banned from gambling on AFL matches.

Instead of a blanket ban on all matches and events, media will have a partial ban in them at a time when they are “working or present” at a game and during a two-hour period before matches or during the game itself.

A betting ban was reportedly issued a betting ban for a recent UFC event in Melbourne due to integrity concerns.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) refused Tabcorp’s request to allow wagering on fights at UFC 193 in November, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The event in question featured the title bout between Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm, which saw a record crowd of 56,000 at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. The fight also attracted a massive global television audience, who saw Rousey fall in a second-round knockout.

Rousey’s defeat, however, was not the gambling regulator’s concern. Rather, VCGLR believed that “UFC does not have appropriate policies or measures in place as required by Victoria’s gambling laws.”

A betting ban was reportedly issued a betting ban for a recent UFC event in Melbourne due to integrity concerns.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) refused Tabcorp’s request to allow wagering on fights at UFC 193 in November, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The event in question featured the title bout between Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm, which saw a record crowd of 56,000 at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. The fight also attracted a massive global television audience, who saw Rousey fall in a second-round knockout.

Rousey’s defeat, however, was not the gambling regulator’s concern. Rather, VCGLR believed that “UFC does not have appropriate policies or measures in place as required by Victoria’s gambling laws.”

Week 20 of the Premier League saw Man Utd winning a match for the first time in 10 games, Leicester drawing a blank for the third game in a row, and Man City close the gap.

Arsenal extend their lead at the top by two points after overcoming a stubborn Newcastle at home. Leicester draws a blank for the third successive game at home to 10-man Bournemouth. Man Utd win for the first time in 10-matches with a victory over Swansea. Sunderland are the only team in then bottom five to take all three points.

“I am scratching my head on how we came away with nothing,” said a beleaguered Newcastle boss after his team lost by a goal to nil away to Arsenal.

The Gunners weren’t at their best. They won. They don’t usually win when they are at their best. Arsene Wenger was proud of this at the final whistle.

Week 20 of the Premier League saw Man Utd winning a match for the first time in 10 games, Leicester drawing a blank for the third game in a row, and Man City close the gap.

Arsenal extend their lead at the top by two points after overcoming a stubborn Newcastle at home. Leicester draws a blank for the third successive game at home to 10-man Bournemouth. Man Utd win for the first time in 10-matches with a victory over Swansea. Sunderland are the only team in then bottom five to take all three points.

“I am scratching my head on how we came away with nothing,” said a beleaguered Newcastle boss after his team lost by a goal to nil away to Arsenal.

The Gunners weren’t at their best. They won. They don’t usually win when they are at their best. Arsene Wenger was proud of this at the final whistle.

Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Johnny Manziel weekend itinerary is still a mystery.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. This was not the case for Manziel as several employees and customers stated that they saw the quarterback eating and gambling at the Planet Hollywood in Sin City on Saturday.

Last week, newly-fired Browns’ coach Mike Pettine announced that Manziel will miss the Week 17 finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, due to a concussion suffered when he rushed for 108 yards in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Manziel was not seen at Firstenergy Stadium where Steelers pulled off a much needed win to head back to the playoffs.

Was this a big deal? Probably not because Browns VP of communications Peter John-Baptiste told The Plain Dealer on Sunday that there was no rule preventing Manziel from going to Las Vegas and the team does not require concussed players to be at the stadium for home games. Although players who have concussions are sensitive to noise, light and are encouraged to rest as they recover.

Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Johnny Manziel weekend itinerary is still a mystery.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. This was not the case for Manziel as several employees and customers stated that they saw the quarterback eating and gambling at the Planet Hollywood in Sin City on Saturday.

Last week, newly-fired Browns’ coach Mike Pettine announced that Manziel will miss the Week 17 finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, due to a concussion suffered when he rushed for 108 yards in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Manziel was not seen at Firstenergy Stadium where Steelers pulled off a much needed win to head back to the playoffs.

Was this a big deal? Probably not because Browns VP of communications Peter John-Baptiste told The Plain Dealer on Sunday that there was no rule preventing Manziel from going to Las Vegas and the team does not require concussed players to be at the stadium for home games. Although players who have concussions are sensitive to noise, light and are encouraged to rest as they recover.

2016 College Football Playoff National Championship

Clemson Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

Monday, January 11, 2016

8:30 pm ET

2016 College Football Playoff National Championship

Clemson Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

Monday, January 11, 2016

8:30 pm ET

The first half of the 2015/16 Premier League season is in the books and Arsenal lead on goal difference. Newcastle, Sunderland and Aston Villa occupy the bottom three spots.

Arsenal will be head into 2016 as the Premier League leaders, and bookmakers favourites, after ending Bournemouth’s run of six matches without defeat at The Emirates.

Mesut Ozil was once again the star of the show as the Gunners continue to inspire hope that they can win their first title in over a decade. The classy German putting in the cross that saw Gabriel score his first goal in European football, before finishing off a brilliant Arsenal move in the 69th minute to leave Bournemouth dead and buried. Ozil has now scored or assisted in 16 goals in Arsenal’s past 12 games. Arsenal’s 2-0 victory also created a little history for Petr Cech, who broke David James’ Premier League clean sheets record, preventing strikers from getting their fill in 170 games.

Arsenal were able to replace Leicester at the top of the table, on goal difference, after the Foxes played out a goalless draw at home to Man City. Leicester failed to score for the second successive game, but when the opposition is Man City, and you are coming off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, this has to go down as an excellent result. I keep waiting for Claudio Ranieri’s men to start slipping down the table. I don’t think it’s going to happen.