In others' eyes, Zhang Yongqiang has every reason not to be a coal miner. But Zhang, 39, the owner of two grocery stores and several apartments in Chongqing municipality, has a simple yet adequate reason for working underground: to abstain from gambling. Zhang Yongqiang, a grocery store owner turned miner, prepares to go above ground after a day's laboring in Chongqing. / for China Daily "I only want a pure life, and that's what being a miner could offer," he said, explaining that he used to harbor a mania for gambling. Zhang started his business trading fruits and vegetables in the 1990s in Chongqing. Through frequent business trips to other provinces, Zhang made a lot of friends, both for business and gambling. "Gambling was necessary ... Continue reading →
A surprising fact: Gamblers spent more last year at commercial casinos in Indiana than they did at non-Indian casinos in all but three other states — not surprisingly, Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The 11 casinos and two racinos (horse racing tracks with slots) are the Hoosier State's third-largest source of tax revenues. Cleary, the idea that gambling is sinful has vanished in much of the heartland — Iowa has 18 casinos — and increasingly on the coasts. Or let's just say that the immorality attached to the activity and to preying on the working class, lonely elders and other vulnerable groups that flock to casinos has faded before the god of lower taxes. But that easy-come of living off gamblers seems to be vanishing ... Continue reading →
Steve Wynn and Robert Kraft talk to WBZ’s Jon Keller. (Photo courtesy: Rick Macomber) FOXBORO (CBS) – Robert Kraft and Steve Wynn suspended their plans for a casino in Foxboro Tuesday afternoon. Their joint announcement came less than a day after Foxboro residents sided with casino critics in voting for two select board members opposed to any talks over a $1 billion resort casino proposal. Wynn, a Las Vegas developer, planned to build the resort on land leased from Kraft, who owns the Patriots, Gillette Stadium and the Patriot Place mall. “We have the greatest respect for Steve Wynn, his team and his business model, and believe this unique opportunity was worthy of a chance to be heard. With Monday’s election, we believe the citizens ... Continue reading →
Actress Claire Danes speaks with Bob Sch Actress Claire Danes speaks with Bob Schieffer of CBS News during the White House Correspondents Association Dinner in Washington, DC, April 28, 2012. The annual event, which brings together US President Barack Obama, Hollywood celebrities, news media personalities and Washington correspondents, features comedian Jimmy Kimmel as the host. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyImages) Actor George Clooney speaks with Chris W Actor George Clooney speaks with Chris Wallace of Fox News as they attend the White House Correspondents Association Dinner in Washington, DC, April 28, 2012. The annual event, which brings together US President Barack Obama, Hollywood celebrities, news media personalities and Washington correspondents, features comedian Jimmy Kimmel as the host. AFP PHOTO ... Continue reading →
In 2007, having served with distinction during two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force firefighter John Brownfield Jr. took a job as a correctional officer at the maximum-security federal prison in Florence, Colorado, 40 miles south of Colorado Springs. Ten months later prison officials caught the ex-senior airman smuggling tobacco to at least seven inmates at the facility and accepting at least $3,500 in payoffs. The U.S. attorney for the District of Colorado charged the 22-year-old combat veteran with bribery by a public official. Brownfield pleaded guilty. Dreux Perkins came home to Greenville, Illinois, carrying baggage he didn’t have when he was deployed to Iraq with the army’s 101st Airborne: post-traumatic stress disorder and a gambling addiction. Heather Chapman runs the ... Continue reading →
In 2007, having served with distinction during two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force firefighter John Brownfield Jr. took a job as a correctional officer at the maximum-security federal prison in Florence, Colorado, 40 miles south of Colorado Springs. Ten months later prison officials caught the ex-senior airman smuggling tobacco to at least seven inmates at the facility and accepting at least $3,500 in payoffs. The U.S. attorney for the District of Colorado charged the 22-year-old combat veteran with bribery by a public official. Brownfield pleaded guilty. Dreux Perkins came home to Greenville, Illinois, carrying baggage he didn’t have when he was deployed to Iraq with the army’s 101st Airborne: post-traumatic stress disorder and a gambling addiction. Heather Chapman runs the ... Continue reading →
