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As Gambling Rises in Prominence, So Too Do Addiction Rates

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Rolling the Dice on Addiction, A Gamble

Risking what you have to gain money fast is as old as money itself.  It has been going on for all of human history. People have been betting on anything they could understand for millennia – be it fighting animals, rolling dice, or wondering who could run faster. People seem to have an inherent urge to risk their livelihood, as a high can develop that is just as powerful as any drug when one wins. And if that win is coming off of a string of losses, then it will just feel that much better.

Because of the risks involved with gambling, there have been attempts throughout history to outlaw the practice. These attempts have varied in their rates of success, and many countries which once practiced prohibition of gambling have since reversed their laws. Cases made in favor of gambling have revolved around the concept of personal freedom. People have a right to smoke and damage their lungs, to drink and hurt their hearts, to drive and risk injury – why not to gamble? 

Besides the argument of personal freedom, arguments have also been made which stress the value of gambling, not just to the participants, but also to the states endorsing the activity. Countries that have legalized gambling experience staggering windfalls of cash by collecting a large percentage of gambling wins. It’s no secret that if you win the lottery in the United States, you’ll be paying a hefty chunk towards taxes. 

It’s easy to wonder if it’s worth it though, considering the consequences of the sport – if you can call it a sport. Regulars at casinos can lose thousands of dollars a year, spending hard-earned money on lining the pockets of casino workers. The case is similar to tobacco and alcohol – it’s a definite addiction. However, the state currently seems to blame the victims of such addictions rather than their suppliers. 

The argument for addicts being allowed to gamble is that at least at a state-sponsored casino, you’ll only be placing cash bets, and there is little to no chance of physical harm – unless you pick a fight with the wrong person. Illicit gambling dens and underground venues have been the sites of many violent activities. Acts of jealousy are common, repercussions for unpaid debts, and outright displays of machismo have led gambling dens to be reputed as places worth fearing. At least as long as gambling remains legalized, people can enjoy the comfort of internet gaming and high energy casino music without worrying if there are any new hospital beds available. 

Casinos are making an effort to control and treat gambling addictions. Programs like GameSense, which is based in Massachusetts, are rising in prominence and popularity. These programs literally stalk the floors of casinos, keeping an eye out for those that look like they’re in need of help. These troubled souls are referred to programs where their problems might be dealt with by those who are professionally trained to treat addiction. Surprisingly, casino owners are happy to cooperate. Jacqui Krum, of Encore general counsel, says “For those individuals that need help, we want to make sure they get the help. Those are not the customers we want in our building.” 

The following video will shed more light on the subject:

 

Jenny is one of the oldest contributors of Bigtime Daily with a unique perspective of the world events. She aims to empower the readers with delivery of apt factual analysis of various news pieces from around the World.

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World

Criminal probe focussed on Mehtas shipping business

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From Monitoring Desk

DUBAI: An Asian family linked with the shipping business is facing criminal investigation in several jurisdictions including in Dubai and Far East where the family’s companies are under active investigation now, according to the authorities in three countries.

Sanjay and Gaurav Mehta, through their companies Best Oasis Ltd in Dubai and Priya Blue Industries in Gujarat, are facing investigations over money-laundering suspicions and suspected links to the Russian oil sector, sanctioned by the western countries, sources shared.

Sanjay and Gaurav Mehta, through their companies Best Oasis Ltd in Dubai and Priya Blue Industries in Gujarat have projected an image of environmental responsibility in ship recycling. They have tout certifications, attend global summits, and positioned themselves as ESG-compliant but their business practices have come under intense probe now. Their operations reportedly involve dismantling high-risk ships, using cash transactions, and leveraging political connections to avoid accountability, a source shared looking into the companies’ affairs. The investigation is being conducted in Dubai and the Far East.

The investigators are looking at the Mehtas operations dating back to 2006 when they came to attention of the law enforcement for the first time. Priya Blue dismantled the “Blue Lady” in 2006, a vessel containing over 1,200 tons of asbestos and radioactive waste, despite protests and objections from Greenpeace. Later, the “Exxon Valdez,” notorious for a major oil spill, was renamed “Oriental Nicety” and dismantled by the Mehtas in Gujarat, drawing international attention. In recent years, their transactions have become less conspicuous but reportedly more hazardous.

In 2025, Best Oasis allegedly acquired and dismantled at least four vessels linked to sanctioned entities, including Iranian and Houthi-controlled networks. These weren’t obscure ships; they were designated under U.S. terrorism sanctions for their involvement in oil smuggling and arms transport. According to investigators, here are the details of the sanctioned ships dismantled by Best Oasis in 2025: IMO: 9155808, Name: NOLAN (SOLAN), Sanction: SDN (SDGT), Beaching: 31 Jan 2025, Plot 16; IMO: 9221657, Name: BLUEFINS, Sanction: SDN (SDGT); Beaching: 26 Feb 2025, Plot 16; IMO: 9105085, Name: CONTRACT II, Sanction: SDN risk, Beaching: Arrived mid-2025, Plot 27; IMO: 9209300, Name: GAMA II, Sanction: SDN (SDGT); and Beaching: Pending/Planned, Plot 34

All four vessels were reportedly dismantled in Alang on plots leased by proxy firms connected to the Mehtas. These short-term leases, approved on a ship-by-ship basis by the Gujarat Maritime Board, reportedly make regulatory oversight nearly impossible. Once dismantling is complete, plot registrations often lapse, leaving no long-term record, according to documents shared by the investigators in Dubai.

Rahul Mistry, a shipping compliance researcher, noted this as a growing pattern: “This is a pattern we’ve seen more frequently in the last two years   sanctioned hulls arriving under the radar, processed fast, with no digital trace.”

Payments for these vessels reportedly bypassed normal financial channels. According to sources familiar with the deals, transactions were settled in cash, either on-site or through offshore handlers. One source described entire ship values being paid in foreign currency bundles, avoiding Indian and Dubai banking disclosures, said one of the investigators familiar with the matter.

A retired port official Mr. Akin Yadav, familiar with Alang  and Gujarat Maritime Board approvals stated that short-term leases are routinely used to avoid scrutiny, adding, “It was never meant to be a permanent workaround. But it’s become one.”

Political connections also reportedly play a role. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Gujarat State Minister Jitu Vaghani have been linked to approvals granted for Best Oasis and its proxies. While there’s no direct evidence of personal gain, sources allege that both men used their influence to expedite approvals, slow down inquiries, and shield the companies from enforcement.

Despite these activities in India, Best Oasis is expanding under new branding. A recent joint venture in Japan with Hiroshi Abe is being marketed as a clean, regionally responsible recycling partner for Japanese shipowners.

Mariko Fujita, a Tokyo-based maritime consultant, observed, “They’re presenting themselves as a new entity with no reference to past controversies. But none of the underlying ownership or structure has changed.”

In Alang, the situation reportedly remains much the same. Plot numbers are reassigned, cash continues to circulate and the same network of breakers and handlers is reportedly involved. Individuals like Jayant Vanani (also known as Budhabhai Patel) and Ramesh Mendapara are frequently named in connection with specific beachings, including “Contract II” and “GAMA II.” Both have been previously linked to other shadow transactions involving distressed or sanctioned tonnage.

Several yards allegedly connected to Best Oasis, including Shantamani Ship Breakers and Sai Baba Ship Breakers, reportedly operate with minimal inspection, despite numerous reports of irregularities in worker safety, hazardous waste disposal, and compliance with Indian scrapping codes.

This system, according to multiple sources, appears to be intentionally designed to operate in plain sight with just enough paperwork to pass basic scrutiny but not enough to trigger meaningful enforcement. There is no indication that regulatory bodies including customs, port health officers, or environmental oversight panels have conducted full inspections of any of the sanctioned vessels listed. Most were reportedly cleared and dismantled within days of arrival.

Rahul Mistry said: “This isn’t merely a loophole; it’s reportedly a business model. Best Oasis and Priya Blue are allegedly running a high-volume, low-visibility operation that filters sanctioned, end-of-life ships through legal instruments to appear legitimate on paper. This reportedly involves routing untaxed funds and shielded actors through a well-connected political and industrial network. As global scrutiny of ESG practices intensifies, many of these activities are allegedly being whitewashed through new partnerships and branding, but the underlying mechanisms reportedly remain unchanged.”

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