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<title>blogTO Recent Comments: Why are the Raptors Promoting Gambling?</title>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/feed/recentcomments/?8340</link>
<description>Comments recently made in this post on blogTO</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:34:55 PST</lastBuildDate>
<item>
<title>Jim Petropoulos</title>
<description><![CDATA[
There are always the pros and the cons to any situation.  Yes I agree the Raptors do not need to be part of this type of promotion, especially when the details are not quite as truthful as outlined on the card you receive at the game.  What % of the cards are so called "WINNERS"?  If they are significant then the promotion is a come on, and it is an inducement to gamble.  The recepient has the option, follow-up or round file the card.  End of story]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c272191</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c272191</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:23:32 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Gary Darlington</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I agree.  Bad promo.  ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c262213</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c262213</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:05:00 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>andrew</title>
<description><![CDATA[
want to win the million]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c254284</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c254284</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jan 2008 23:21:51 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Daniel Negreanu</title>
<description><![CDATA[
  PokerStars.net is a site with no gambling link to it at all. PokerStars.com is a gambling site.

  I want to add one thing: poker is very different from other forms of gambling, in that, you don't play against the house, it's simply a game where if you outwit your opponents you will win in the long run.  It also isn't a game that compulsive gamblers are attracted to as it doesn't offer the instant gratifcation that a compulsive gambler craves (a la, slot machines, blackjack, etc.)

  Poker, as with anything, certainly can be addicting.  It is also an avenue for thousands of younger, smarter kids to make upwards of a million dollars a year sitting on their butt playing online poker.

  For every one kid that makes it, there are 100 who don't.  That's not only true in poker, but basketball too!  
Poker has a way of weeding out the real players from the wannabes, though, as those that don't succeed are forced to quit if the money well runs dry.  
   ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253503</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253503</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:35:00 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>serotonin</title>
<description><![CDATA[
The recent controversy in the NBA has a lot to do with the US hypocrisy around gambling. They push the lottery like crazy along with their casinos, but betting on sports is as evil as marijuana and underage drinking.

At least here we do have legalized sports betting with ProLine.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253445</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253445</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:13:51 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>MW</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I was at last Wednesday's game and also thought it was a dodgy contest. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253438</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253438</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:47:52 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Tim</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Using real money or not, I just don't think it's smart for the Raptors or any NBA team or player to be associating themselves with gambling.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253428</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253428</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:24:13 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Sue</title>
<description><![CDATA[
When I go to PokeStars.net, I find a site that's more like a poker school where you learn to play poker or you play for free. There's no wagering on this site.  So what's the problem? Lots of sports figures, even Gilbert Arenas from the Wizards talks about playing poker at half time on his blog, just to loosen up. You're not really implying that this stadium promo is hitting a group of people who don't enjoy football pools, fantasy hockey teams, the occasional trip to Vegas or watching the World Series of Poker on TV are you?]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253425</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253425</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:20:24 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Joey Joe Joe</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Technically, the Raptors were not promoting online gambling; that's illegal in Ontario.  You weren't required to wager anything.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253384</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253384</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:18:18 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Sam</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I was there. What a great game that was against Portland.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253350</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253350</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:20:52 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Japhet</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I don't know if you can simply link this to scandals involving gambling. The NBA, being a giant organization, is made up of many people and if some of them do stupid things, it shouldn't reflect on the organization as a whole.

While I'm all for ethical advertising choices, I don't see how this is really a poor choice.

Pokerstars.net and the Raptors making the "contest" a little more transparent would be nice though...]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253320</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253320</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:48:55 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>David E</title>
<description><![CDATA[
. . ."As it turns out, I would first be required to download PokerStars software. Then, I would need to register to play in a tournament and finally I would enter my verification code for a free game entry." . . .
--------------

I get the idea that everyone at the game was essentially corraled into the whole thing.  

There are two choices:  notify the Raptors of your displeasure and stop going to their games till they come
to their senses.

Gambling is addictive just like alcohol.  Imagine if they gave everyone a six-pack of beer or alcopop.

Someone's got to put them in their place.  Will it be you?


]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253302</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253302</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:45:46 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ryan</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I think you may be reading too much into this. Poker's very popular and the Raps are jumping on the bandwagon. But it's a good news story. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253271</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2008/01/why_are_the_raptors_promoting_gambling/#c253271</guid>
<category>Toronto, Sports & Play</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:55:53 PST</pubDate>
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