Criminal violence in Montreal: sports betting at the root of it all

In recent years, the world of sports betting has expanded enormously. Whether it’s via the Mise-O-Jeu platform or other less legal platforms, fans are constantly bombarded with advertising on the subject.

Listen to a full match on TV just once and you’ll see the extent of the phenomenon.

And today, La Presse published an excellent article on the subject, with Daniel Renaud (who works for the newspaper’s investigative team) explaining that the current rise in violence by criminal groups in Montreal is precisely linked to the illegal sports betting industry.

To put it (very) simply, the Rizzuto clan has controlled the illegal sports betting industry in Montreal for several years. However, the clan is currently weakened by internal tensions and the health problems of Stefano Sollecito, one of the group’s leaders.

And because the industry is so lucrative, other groups want to try and grab it while the clan is weakened. Right now, it’s a group of Montreal-area Hells Angels who are trying to get their hands on it.

Clearly, when you read a story like this, you understand even more Karl Subban, P.K.’s father, who is working to reduce exposure to advertising promoting sports betting platforms.

I don’t know if there’s a quick fix in the short term. In fact, I think it will be quite a while before we can control the phenomenon, which is currently a bit out of control.

We’ll have to wait and see, but once again, the illegal sports betting industry continues to be the talk of the town, and for all the wrong reasons.

In brief

– Peter Laviolette is still an option in Columbus.

– There’s interest in Sheldon Keefe’s assistant.

– That’s right. And that’s a shame.

Concussions were something that Shaw dealth with throughout his entire career.

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– What if Hayley Wickenheiser succeeded Kyle Dubas?

– It’s up to him to prove it.

– A less than stellar stat for the Padres. My text on the subject.