Bill Lee, the governor of Tennessee, signed the bill in February, prompting outrage across the nation. Despite not outlawing drag events, the measure restricts their locations. According to activists it enables disingenuous interpretations by conservatives who would view any drag show as obscenity.

Stella Yarbrough, the legal director of the ACLU’s Tennessee chapter, said in a statement that the organization is worried that government officials could easily misuse this legislation to censor people based on their own subjective views of what they deem appropriate. They could stifle protected free speech and send a message to LGBTQ citizens that they are not welcome in the state.

The legislation’s limitations on “male and female impersonators” were aligned with a broader assault on LGBT rights. Governor Lee approved it concurrently with a measure banning gender affirming medical care for transgender youth.

Several musicians will stage the Love Rising benefit concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in protest of the law. On the lineup are Brittany Howard, Sheryl Crow, Maren Morris, Jason Isbell, Hayley Williams, and Julien Baker. Via a collaboration with the Looking Out Foundation, which is also accepting donations, the money raised will benefit the Tennessee Equality Project, Inclusion Tennessee, OUTMemphis, and the Tennessee Pride Chamber. Tennessee people are urged to register to vote by the Tennessee Equality Project.

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Ike’s Love & Sandwiches

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches has added a fifth site to the Austin area. This one is at 1201 Barbara Jordan Boulevard #1210 in the Mueller neighborhood. Because we’ll always need more more great sandwich places this is excellent news. The menu at this sandwich chain is incredibly extensive and includes vegetarian, halal, and gluten free options. 

Two sandwiches will be available to order at this new location. The “Mueller, Mueller” is a chicken fried steak with cheddar cheese and a creamy Orange Buffalo Sauce. The “Sunny Come Home,” is a vegan version of it. On March 9, there will be a grand opening ceremony beginning at 10 am, and rewards members can get sandwiches for $7.97.

Sweetgreen

The Mueller neighborhood will soon welcome the fourth Sweetgreen establishment. The restaurant is located in the Mueller neighborhood, next to the park’s amphitheater. Sweetgreens is a popular counter service eatery for Austinites who love salad.  Leafy greens, proteins, grains, fruit are all included on the menu.  The company was founded by three college students who sought something affordable but healthy. The brand has maintained its popularity and this opening will no doubt be welcomed.  The company also pledges to become carbon neutral by 2027 and support animal welfare. 

Ramen Del Barrio

This North Austin restaurant, which opened in February, is undoubtedly one of the most interesting restaurants this year. Ramen and tacos prepared in Mexican and Japanese styles are available at Chef Christopher Krinsky’s food court kiosk. You’ll find it inside of Hana Global Market in the Scofield Farms area. He serves grilled pork skewers on maize tortillas and the mole tsukemen is magnificent.  Indoor dining spaces are available.

Ember Kitchen

Nearly every item on the menu at Ember Restaurant in Austin’s Seaholm District is cooked over live fire. A grilled stuffed mushroom chile with mole negro; a pork chop with charred peach mojo and an amberjack crudo flavored with smoky charcoal oil. The charcoal grill and oven is the star of the show here. Nayely Castillo, the executive chef, and Mara Mercedes Grubb, the consulting chef are in charge of the fire. Together, they developed the restaurant’s Latin-inspired menu. It combines the tastes of Puerto Rico, where Grubb was born, and El Paso, where Castillo grew up and founded multiple restaurants.

Bill’s Oyster

This spring, a new seafood restaurant and martini bar will debut in downtown Austin. Starting in April, Bill’s Oyster will be located at 205 West Third Street.

Fresh oysters, crudos, shellfish, caviar, salads, and a burger will all be available on the menu. Local beers, wine, and variations on martinis and other traditional cocktails will be available as drinks. The restaurant will serve lunch, supper, and weekend brunch.

The restaurant’s décor is a vintage New Orleans theme. It will incorporate natural and rich timbers, unique tile work, and antique finishes. There will be a terrace, a bar with 15 seats, and banquette seating.

Executive chef Daniel Berg and Stewart Jarmon are the co-founders of Bill. Jarmon has lived in Austin his entire life and attended St. Edward’s University. Jarmon also received his degree from Mexico City’s Academia de Gastronoma Mexicana. This is Jarmon’s first hospitality endeavor; he is a project manager by profession.

Pedroso’s Pizza

Every Austin culinary influencer is extolling the virtues of this tiny food truck by the Night Owl bar on Burnet Road. The Grandma style is the primary draw here; it is a rectangle pie with a somewhat thick crust similar to focaccia with the sauce on top of the cheese. The Double Pepp N’ Peppers has a hefty portion of cup ‘n’ char pepperoni and a lethal combination of serrano and banana peppers.   Many people adore the New York style, which is offered as both a piece and a whole pie. Under no circumstances forego the caprese salad. This delectable salad of sliced mozzarella and tomatoes is dressed with a wonderfully umami balsamic.

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Malave has always kept connected to his community through soccer and business, whether growing up in Caracas, Venezuela, attending college at New York University and Harvard Business School, or spending a brief summer as an analyst intern with Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer. As he relocated to Nashville in October, he kept doing it.

Malave and his Harvard colleague Eliana Eskinazi co-founded Wagr, a social sports betting firm situated in the Gulch. It has since become Nashville SC’s official sports betting partner.

Recent sports betting deals have been made by MLS teams like D.C. United, Austin FC, Houston Dynamo and Columbus Crew . Wagr is the first of its sort in this market, though.

It is a social sportsbook app where football fans may gamble on point spreads that Wagr sets instead of against a casino operator or the house.

Wagr has activation rights at Nashville SC’s new soccer-specific stadium, GEODIS Park. It has set up two activation tents at the stadium for each of the 17 home games in an effort to interact with the crowd and become a part of the city’s growing soccer scene.

The main advantage for Wagr is to access to the close-knit fan base. There are people who want to be active in engaging. They attend sports together, pregame together, and travel together. Their product is designed for groups like that.

What is Wagr?

Wagr is an online marketplace where friends may record their verbal bets. Malave and Eskinazi focused on developing an accessible, non-predatorial community for passionate sports fans.

The company’s chief executive officer is Malave, while its chief product officer is Eskinazi. In the fall of 2019, they established Wagr at Harvard.

Wagr, which employs 18 people, acquired its sports betting license in September. Before releasing a viable version of the app in January, it debuted a beta version in December.

How Wagr operates

It is made simple by eliminating the middleman. Wagr retains a 5% transaction fee on the wager while the winner receives the prize.

Users can join “crews” to wager against friends in a community with a shared interest, and their wagers will be displayed on a more extensive social feed. The single-bet cap has been established by Wagr at $500.

The implementation of instant messaging between users, teams versus teams and badges for a user’s winnings are what’s coming up next.

The effect of Wagr on Nashville fans

Weeks before the start of the season, GEODIS Park expanded its effect and inclusivity by launching a social sports betting partner that targeted new soccer fans in Nashville as well as the club’s ardent supporters.

They are the core target market and but needn’t be  habitual gamblers. They now have a great method to interact with one another.

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Tweedy’s

When Spider House Cafe officially closed in January 2022, UT students and Central Austin residents were distraught.  The coffee shop/dive bar served as a home away from home for students. But also people on first dates or just those looking to hang out on the beautiful patio. 

Tweedy’s replaced the popular bar in November 2022. By all accounts it has the same vibe as the previous bar despite a little bit of modernisation.

The establishment offers beer, wine, and cocktails and has a real vintage, rock and roll vibe.  A redesigned but familiar interior will appeal to Spider House fans. Don’t miss the Twisted Tea on tap.

Skinny’s Off Track

Skinny’s Off Track opened on 12th Street in October 2022 near to skee-ball bar Full Circle and DIY dance club Outer Heaven. It is another dive-like bar operated by a who’s who of Austin’s hospitality industry people.

The retro, den-like pub is owned by the same people that run the downtown bar Higher Ground and the distinctly un-DIY disco club Superstition. Charles Ferraro of Hotel Vegas and the Volstead is also a partner, as is former Reina owner Paolo Soriano.

The tableside miniature televisions are a nice touch and offer a private place to enjoy sports with friends without other people getting in the way.

Howard’s Bar & Club

This Clarksville establishment is a hybrid that is half neighborhood tavern, part dance club.

This establishment, which opened on West Sixth Street in October 2022, is a perfect place to unwind with a whiskey from its extensive list on a quiet night. Alternatively it’s also great for beers with friends on one of its wild DJ nights or for live music performances.

The dining options are also in line with the highbrow/lowbrow concept. Hot pretzels and Chicago hot dogs are served alongside chips and caviar.

Rosie’s Wine Bar

Behind Howard’s is Rosie’s, a charming new venue with one of the best wine lists of any bars in Austin focusing on local suppliers and natural wines.

Rosie’s is a less boisterous alternative to Howard’s. Customers can try wines from the growing list as the majority are offered by the glass or the bottle. Expect appetizers like thinly sliced jamón serrano or anchovies with celery and dill. Larger dishes like a black truffle omelet and shaved rib eye with peppers in onion creme are also available.

Wiggle Room

This spot offers west Texas aesthetics and strong Texas drinks in a indoor-outdoor paradise. 

The people behind popular cocktail bars Midnight Cowboy and Drink Well devised the drink menu.  The Zebra Den is a private area inside Wiggle Room, which is furnished with Texas-influenced disco elements.

Due to the restricted availability of walk-ins, the bar advises booking reservations. Private parties may also rent the space.

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Live performances that would compete with a sold-out stadium show are offered at bars and restaurants all across Music City. Not only that but you can pair it with incredible food and drink.. Here are the greatest venues in Nashville for live music, delicious food, and amazing drinks. Some require tickets, some demand a cover fee and some are free.. They cater to fans of jazz, bluegrass, rock, country, burlesque, and more.

Acme Feed & Seed

With nightly live music, a sizable menu, and a rooftop with stunning city views over Nashville, Acme Feed & Seed is a great choice in a prime location at the top of Lower Broadway. The food and drink options range from Nashville hot chicken and sushi to draught beers and frozen cocktails. The music covers many genres and there is a dedicated open-floor concert hall. You don’t need tickets here, which is a benefit.

Skull’s Rainbow Room

Skull’s Rainbow Room, located in a small basement nestled inside Printers Alley, has been a popular venue since 1948. The modest stage here has seen performances by some of the most well-known musicians in the world. Etta James, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash have all performed here. The iconic restaurant remained shuttered for more than a decade before reopening in 2015 Expect nightly live jazz concerts, a refined steakhouse menu, and possibly the greatest cocktails in town. It’s always a good idea to make a reservation here to avoid disappointment. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night there are burlesque shows that you may attend for a cover charge, though you cannot make reservations for those.

The Station Inn

This legendary venue in the Gulch has been showcasing bluegrass, roots, and Americana music for more than 40 years. The food is a notable mash-up of Southern cuisine and concession-stand favorites like hot dogs and nachos. The Station Inn’s dedication to providing opportunities for aspiring musicians, however, is what truly distinguishes it.  Anyone with a bluegrass instrument is welcome to participate in the free Sunday Bluegrass Jam or take a jam class taught by a professional. The location is even kid-friendly. Most events demand tickets.

Jane’s Hideaway

Upbeat live music performances focused on Americana, roots, or traditional bluegrass start every night at 8 pm at this Printers Alley institution that has since relocated to East Nashville. The cuisine of Jane’s Hideaway is eclectic, with items like beet salad and okra fries to osso buco, chicken pot pie and beef tenderloin. Original cocktails and French sparkling wine are also available on tap. Come on Tuesday nights to see Melody Walker, a Grammy-winning musician, host a showcase of Americana and roots songwriters. No tickets are required for entry.

The Twelve Thirty Club

This collaboration between Justin Timberlake and restaurant owner Sam Fox has become a hotspot for live music and lavish dining at the top of Lower Broadway. The Twelve Thirty Club is a classy supper club with tasteful Prohibition-era decor. It has a stage in the middle that hosts various sets each night. As the soulful house band plays enjoy a seafood stack and a classic cocktail.  For the dining service, reservations are advised, but you can easily get a seat at the bar.

The Listening Room Cafe

Nashville not only spawns country music stars but also the lyric songwriters who also perform live music. The Listening Room Cafe in downtown puts songwriters front and center. Rounds take place many times daily, allowing you to hear behind-the-scenes tales and performances from the folks who have written some of music’s biggest hits. O rder the pimento cheese and bacon jam crostinis followed by an entrée like shrimp and grits and then the Tennessee cheesecake for dessert. This venue requires a food and beverage minimum and is also a paid-for location.

The Bluebird Cafe

Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, and many more musicians are said to have had their careers launched at the Bluebird Cafe; an intimate venue in a strip mall in Green Hills. The Bluebird, which places a focus on regional songwriters, offers two shows per night. These include open mic sessions and “In the Round” performances. It also serves several local beers on draft and a satisfying cafe menu that includes crudites, a turkey club, and chicken tenders. Each concert has different admission costs and restrictions.

3rd & Lindsley

3rd & Lindsley is the place to go if you want to enjoy live music while eating appealing Southern bar food like gumbo or chili cheese nachos.  Plan to get a seat early at the downtown venue because seating is first-come, first-served. Live performances range from songwriters to cover bands. Particularly notable however are the Time Jumpers who have a regular Monday night event that you should definitenly mark your calendar for.

Brooklyn Bowl

Brooklyn Bowl is a bowling alley, concert hall, and café. It attracts many fans to its ticketed performances in the Germantown region. Get some fried chicken and drink a hardshake at one of the lanes or crowd around the stage to watch an up-and-coming performer. The venue, which charges for events, attracts a variety of performers. These include rock stars, folk singers, and country music favorites.

Rudy’s Jazz Room

Rudy’s Jazz Club is all about the spirit and motifs of jazz which is a departure from downtown’s mostly country music venues. The classic club’s acoustics and vibe were meticulously considered during the design process. It has resulted in a detail-rich, seductive listening area with a swinging atmosphere. Rudy’s offers live jazz performances every night, as well as Prohibition-inspired unique and traditional cocktails. The food includes New Orleans-style food such red beans and rice, gumbo, beignets, and even a grilled cheese with crawfish. At the door, there may be a cover charge.

The Electric Jane

The Electric Jane is a chic dining establishment and night club in the Gulch and is a great newcomer to the scene. Choose from creative cocktails, regional beers, and a substantial food menu that includes dishes like raw oysters, shrimp cocktail,  roasted chicken, and tableside s’mores. Afterwards sit back while taking in a concert that might be anything from jazz to rock. It is advisable to make reservations.

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Even among sports fans who aren’t betting, the seamless integration of gambling into American sports is unavoidable. It signifies a radical shift for a practice that was mostly prohibited just a few years ago.

A new sports environment

According to the American Gaming Association US$180.2 billion has been placed on sports since May 2018. This was when the United States Supreme Court repealed a regulation that prohibited sports betting to four states. The AGA, the industry’s research and lobbying organization have statistics that show this resulted in $13.7 billion in income for the sportsbooks.

Before the NFL season began last September, the AGA claimed that more than 46 million Americans, or 18% of all adults, intended to bet this year. The majority of money was probably wagered legally rather than through illegal agents.

So who is making sports bets? According to the AGA sports bettors are a different demographic from traditional gamblers. For example, the kind of people who might play slots. They have better incomes, tend to be male, and are younger.

Discourse and reporting

It has been questioned as to whether the media would start creating material just for gamblers after this landmark decision.

Unambiguously, the answer is yes and it appears to have changed how sports betting is discussed.

Since 2019, Daily Wager, a gaming program, has been broadcast on ESPN. The sports giant launched a variety of new material focused on choices and betting advice in September 2022. Also, SportsCenter host Scott Van Pelt is well-known for his Bad Beats section. In this show he usually emphasizes the bizarre ways in which a team that is on the winning side of the point spread collapses at the very last second.

If you type “#sportsbetting” into YouTube’s search bar, you’ll see thousands of betting tip channels that have sprung up in the interim.

Another illustration of how times have changed; In the Rose Bowl game against Penn State on January 2, 2023, the University of Utah football team controlled the ball first and goal with only 43 seconds left. Essentially, the game was over. The announcers did point out that for some folks, a touchdown would mean a lot.

And why? Although the broadcasters did not expand, it was clear what they meant. There was a lot riding on that touchdown for those who had bet on the over, predicting a combined total of more than 54 points for the two teams. In a way, ESPN also had a vested interest. Fans of both sides are likely to lose interest in a blowout. However, people’s gaze remain fixed on the item when money is at stake, such as the over.

The ceiling and the risk

Historically, sports leagues have strongly opposed gambling. Many leagues, most notably the NFL, have done a complete U-turn since sports betting became legal. This is despite the fact that they are still worried about preventing players from betting.

This shift in thinking might be attributed to a number of factors. Sports leagues can now argue that legal betting allows for greater monitoring of potential cheating. Whereas before there was apprehension about compromising the integrity of the game owing to a betting scandal. The sportsbooks can see whether there is a lot of betting on one team or a sudden change in betting patterns. This could be a sign of criminal behavior.

Legal gambling is also attracting a lot of fan attention; according to a recent Pew survey, 56% of American adults and nearly 7 in 10 men had read at least a bit about how popular legal sports betting has grown.

Also, there is significant funding from a brand-new category of sponsors, the sportsbooks, which helped increase NFL sponsorship revenue to $1.8 billion during the 2021 season.

Gambling addiction.

The AGA is eager to point out that its member organizations promise to advise their consumers about problem gambling. However legalization has unquestionably made it simpler to access sports betting.

The National Council on Problem Gambling has said that around 25% of American adults bet on sports, which is a tad higher than the AGA’s estimate. According to the NCPG, this proportion has increased from about 15% before to the Supreme Court’s decision.

While this is a significant increase, it also raises the possibility that there will soon be a cap. This would mean that even after all states that will allow sports betting have done so, there won’t be significantly more people placing bets than there are now.

The market is evolving in a variety of ways, but the main change is likely to be problem gambling risk and intensity among already active enthusiasts.

The post The Impact of Sports Betting on the Fan Experience appeared first on WaterlooRevival.com.

Below you will find everything that you need to know about sports betting in Texas. From the current situation to when the permissions will come into effect.

According to estimates, legalizing sports betting could generate billions of dollars in tax revenue, and could make Texas the USs second-largest sports betting state.

Current status of sports betting in Texas

Even without online and mobile betting, Texans are expected to bet $9 billion on sports each year. A 6.25% tax on those sales would generate over $500 million.

The drive to access that potential cash is colliding with a primarily conservative, anti-gambling establishment, creating an interesting dynamic if this law is passed.

There is only one tribal casino in the entire state of Texas, who are only permitted to provide slots rather than casino table games.

Texas Gambling regulations are very strict, and bookmaking is considerd a Class A misdemeanor.

Despite the fact that sports betting is banned in Texas, the Dallas Cowboys have agreed to a sponsorship arrangement with WinStar World Casino. This agreement makes The Cowboys the first NFL team to partner with this establishment, that is also nowadays an online casino.

This bill will have to overcome more than just the general anti-gambling sentiment. Even if the state chose to legalize sports gambling, as shown below, it would still need to modify its constitution to allow for sports betting.

Proposed changes to sports betting in Texas

The senator for texas on February 6, 2023, introduced a bill in the Texas legislature that has the support of the state’s major sports teams. If approved, the bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would necessitate a state-wide vote in November 2023.

The Bills

Pertaining to sports wagering regulation; establishing occupational permits; permitting fees; imposing a tax; decriminalizing wagering on specific sporting events; creating criminal offenses; imposing administrative penalties.

While the related bills seek to allow Texas residents to legally make bets online before and during sporting events, House Bill 1942 and Senate Bill 715 state that “membership in a lawful and licensed sports wagering business is a privilege, not a right.”

Timeline for sports betting in Texas

If the amendment receives the required two-thirds vote in legislature and approval from state voters in November 2023; Texas sports betting will be legalized.

At this time, it is unknown when or if online sports betting will be available in Texas. If legalized, it would most likely be part of a larger sports betting legislative expansion in the state, with the earliest possible date being the spring of 2023 during the Texas legislative session.

Before Texas online sportsbooks are given the all-clear, novice gamblers should become versed in the lingo used in sports betting. You can prepare for the possibility of Texas online sportsbooks by reading this glossary of sports betting words provided by our partners at SportsLine.

Sports Betting terms

Action

This is another name for a wager or a bet.

Bad Beat

A bad beat is a bet where a winner looks set to win but doesnt.

Betting line

This is the figure that represents what a sportsbook predicts will occur with a specific wager. The favorite team or player in a single-player sport, such as tennis, will have a negative betting line on a straightforward moneyline wager.

Handicapping

This is where a player does their researches players and sport events to predict outcomes and gain a favourable position.

Handle

The handle is the sum of money risked in betting.

Over Under

This is a wager on whether a particular game statistic will be higher or lower than a set value. A total bet is another name for this kind of wager.

Parlay

When a player places a minimum of two bets or more numerous bets these bets are combined into a single wager. The entire parlay loses if even one of the bets in it is unsuccessful. Yet, the bettor receives a larger reward if every wager wins.

Point spread

When the favorite team wins by more than the point spread, bettors win their wager.

Prop Bet

A bet on a game that is not directly related to the game’s outcome. There are props that have to do with the overall performance of the game as well as the performance of the teams involved. Many of the most popular props are based on the achievements of individual players.

Sportsbook

A sportsbook, also known as a bookmaker or bookie, is a business or individual who accepts bets from individual sports bettors.

Sportsbooks take wagers on both sides of a sporting event. They can do this because of the difference between what a bettor has to wager and what a bettor wins.

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