I live close (relatively) to two of the largest native american casnons in the country, and yet unless I'm using gambling space to get from one point to another in the casino, I've never paid any attention to all the means of gambling, sorry, GAMING, that the places offer. I love how we've substituted an M for the B and neutered the word. You can still lose your life savings in one visit to any of the tables or machines, but it sounds so much more refined to say gaming.
I have to concentrate when I'm watching stuff on ESPN because across the bottom of the screen, more often than not, are odds on a variety of sports and sporting events. No idea what Over/Under means, but I compensate for my lack of knowledge by having an absence of interest.
All over my TV for weeks was a blitz of commercials for something called Kalshi, which at first I thought was for a cereal I always thought was called Kashi. It wasn't. Imagine my surprise. The commercial with the golfer and the aliens was, I thought, pretty funny.
In terms of how Kalshi works, not a clue. I must confess I did not know the golfer was a celebrity; the perils of not getting out much anymore. The other golfer/alien commercial is, for my taste, much darker and funnier, though I still don't understand any of what this is all about.
I do know casino operators are less than thrilled with Kalshi and with its growing-by-leaps-and-bounds popularity. I realize some people will drink anything and others will bet on the opportunity to watch them do it. But while it's not quite a high-roller's dream, I came across a story on a camel marketplace where you can buy, sell, trade, and God knows what else with camels.
It's not Ali Baba and the forty thieves, but it does make midnight at the oasis an attractive destination. Unless, of course, you're a camel.
-bill kenny
