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PYŃ.=&0 Sports – Penloom https://penloom.com News articles and more Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:16:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://penloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Sports – Penloom https://penloom.com 32 32 How Online Betting Apps Are Destroying Indian Youth? https://penloom.com/how-online-betting-apps-are-destroying-indian-youth/ https://penloom.com/how-online-betting-apps-are-destroying-indian-youth/#respond Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:16:17 +0000 https://penloom.com/?p=16339 In April this year, six people died in Telangana, and one of them was murdered. Reason? Online betting and gambling. Due to his addiction to online gaming, after losing 15,000 rupees, a 16-year-old talented boy from Rajasthan was about to end his life. And I don’t need to tell you this story. You all know.

Every cricketer wants one thing more than the World Cup: to add you to their circle or make a dream team with you. Big Bollywood stars convince you just to make the team and enjoy it. But this fun becomes a punishment when you know the dark truth of fantasy cricket. Not 1 crore, not 2 crore for a prize pool of 3 crore, people get stuck in the circle of loans. They destroy their homes and sometimes their lives, too.

In today’s video, we will understand how fantasy sports are legal.

Chapter 1: Fantasy of Ravi

From Cricket Lover to Betting Addict: Ravi’s Shocking Journey

Person intensely staring at a glowing smartphone displaying a fantasy sports app, surrounded by a swirling vortex of sports icons, statistics, and glowing data, illustrating the deep immersion and mental impact of gaming addiction.

Let’s listen to Ravi’s story. I have changed the name for privacy. Ravi is a middle-class boy like you who has been interested in cricket since childhood. When he heard that he could earn 1 crore by investing 50 rupees, he thought, why not? What’s the problem? Fifty rupees is such a small amount. But if he wins one crore, he will become rich.

Sometimes, he would pay 100 rupees, and sometimes, he would pay 1000 rupees and slowly start increasing his amount. Then he left cricket and started betting on sports like basketball and football because IPL is only for 2 months. When a team is formed, it is proven right, and its player performs well, then it seems that the trophy is not won by that player but by us. Then, whether that trophy is of IPL or EPL, what difference does it make?

Fantasy Sports or Fantasy Trap? Real-Life Consequences

Ravi started betting on international apps using VPNs, where the rules are more relaxed than in India. Then he admitted that at his worst, he was spending 1.5 lakh rupees per day. Remember, it started with just 50 rupees, and now he was spending 1.5 lakh rupees daily. He maxed out his credit card. He even took bank loans to support his fantasy. In the end, he suffered a loss of 35 lakh rupees, which is 6 times his annual income.

This whole story is based on a true incident, and you must know Ravi, who ruined his life for the sake of fantasy.

The Silent Rise of Mental Health Cases in Gaming Addiction

The shocking truth of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Bengaluru In 2014, every week, 3-4 patients used to come for online gaming or gambling addiction. Now, every week, 20-22 patients come. Yes, patients, because this addiction becomes a mental illness. This is the truth. So, if all this happens, then how is all this legal?

The question must be coming to your mind, right? I know it, too. Let’s understand the logic behind it.

Chapter 2: Courts Vs. Fantasy Sports

What the Public Gambling Act 1867 Doesn’t Cover

Judge in a courtroom holding a gavel, with scales of justice balancing a stack of money against a soccer ball and a mobile phone displaying a fantasy sports app, representing the legal debate around fantasy gaming.

You see, fantasy sports are not gambling, not us. The court has said it, and not once, but repeatedly. In 2017, a Chandigarh resident filed a case on a well-known fantasy gaming app. He lost 50,000 rupees. According to him, the activities offered on the website are completely dependent on chance. That’s why under Public Gambling Act 1867, this is punishable, not legal. Then, the company said that this was not a game of chance. This is a game of skill. You must analyze the player’s form, pitch reports, and stats.

Why Indian Courts Don’t Call It Gambling

The court also ruled in favor of the gaming company. Even our Supreme Court has called horse racing a game of mere skill, and its reference is given in every case and argued. If horse racing is legal and not gambling, how can fantasy sports be gambling? You and I, logically, whatever we feel. The courts have said that this is a game of skill. So, this is a game of skill.

Judiciary vs. Reality: What Legalization Has Missed

In 2019, the Bombay High Court And in 2020, the Rajasthan High Court also decided to favor fantasy sports. In 2021, the Supreme Court also said that fantasy sports, where you make a team, is a legal game. Because of this decision, in states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the ban was imposed on these games, and that ban was also removed. What do you think? Are the courts right here? Tell me in the comments. But what difference does it make if it is banned?

At the beginning of the video, we gave the example of Telangana fantasy sports, which are banned here. Still, people use VPNs to access them. Another example is that alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat. Still, it does not mean that people do not drink in Gujarat. No problem is solved by banning. If people have an addiction, then the issue of addiction has to be addressed. The problem is not about banning or not. The problem is deeper, which we will understand below.

For now, you need to understand how big fantasy sports companies have become.

Chapter 3: Rise and Rise

How Fantasy Platforms Earn Even When You Lose

A hand reaching for a glowing digital trophy through shattered glass, with fragments reflecting credit cards, loan documents, and invoices, symbolizing the illusion of winning and the financial ruin from chasing losses in fantasy sports.

When you join a contest, you have to pay entry fees to play the game. Assume that you have given 50 rupees. Out of that, 50 rupees do not go to the prize pool. Depending on the type, some portions, like 15-20%, go straight to the company’s pocket. This is called a platform fee or commission. There are a lot of players, and very few people win. So, one winner is consistent in every game; that is the company. So, if most people lose after playing the game, why do they keep playing?

This is a real googly because they keep thinking they lost this time but will win next time. This is the similarity between a casino and a fantasy gaming app. Some people keep playing after winning, and more than them, people keep playing even after losing. That’s why these games come with a warning because the makers know how addictive this game can be.

The Illusion of “Next Time”: Psychological Hooks That Trap You

Here, I have a question: Do the makers understand that this game is addictive? Then how can they argue after going to court that there is a lot of difference between casinos and these? These people give a warning from their side because the legal team becomes happy once they provide a warning. Now, they can make them win in court with this warning.

Addiction Warnings Are Not Enough—Here’s Why

Studies say that fantasy apps trigger three addiction patterns like gambling:

#1 Near Misses:

If you almost win, then you keep trying again.

#2 Dopamine Rush:

When you get a small victory, then you feel happy. Neurons are triggered in your brain. You get a dopamine rush.

#3 Chasing Losses:

If you feel that you have lost money, Win that money again. Then, we will stop gaming, but this will not happen.

These three patterns make these fantasy gaming apps like casino gambling. This is problematic, and the worst thing is that no one is addressing it.

Chapter 4: The Dark Side

The Fine Line Between Brand Loyalty and Addiction

A hand holding a smartphone, with glowing blue energy connecting to a cup of coffee on one side (representing common addictions/brand loyalty) and a stylized fantasy sports logo in a dark room on the other, illustrating the thin line between brand engagement and harmful addiction.

Every company wants its customers to become loyal customers and repeat customers. Then, whether it is a chocolate company, a cold drink company, or a wafer company. No one can eat just one. This is the marketing strategy. However, in addiction and brand loyalty, there is a very thin line. And I don’t think banning fantasy sports is the right solution.

Why Banning Isn’t the Cure: VPNs and Global Access

Those who want to play such games can play sports in other countries using a VPN. If these Indian companies are banned, China can launch its own game. There are a lot of people who take advantage of this, and by restricting it, the problem will not be reduced. The problem will increase. Right now, it is too late to ban these games.

We will have to ensure that these games do not go towards betting. This game should not become gambling. For example, there are some games where, after losing the toss, you can’t change your team. That is good because then there will be no ball-to-ball betting.

Why Teenagers Are the Most Vulnerable Target Group

If any executive is reading this blog, then I have some requests:

#1: Save Vulnerable Groups:

This means students. I know that in marketing, catching them young is the strategy, but we will have to think about ethics. We must ensure that children don’t waste their parents’ money until people don’t know financial literacy. They will have to stay away from these games.

#2: Incorporate Skills:

Involving skill and money doesn’t automatically make anything legal. There is a skill in chess, but if you invest money and get a payout, then it is betting, not a skill game.

#3: Restrictions on Betting Apps

We must ensure that streaming companies don’t add new features to those apps that promote gambling.

Should Fantasy Apps Be Allowed to Grow Without Guardrails?

For example, I can really see this happening in the future. In real-time, you will be asked how many runs you will get on this ball, and you can bet on every ball. That is also on the same app where you are streaming. Such things are already happening in the West, which will reduce the entry barrier. Millions of people who watch the match on mobile without switching the app can bet on the same app ball-to-ball. They will win 50-100 rupees for every ball or loss. This move will be dangerous because the cricket experience will be destroyed.

Final Verdict!

In the end, I want to say that it is our responsibility to keep our family safe. We should put restrictions on our family and understand that anyone can be addicted to anything. Some people are addicted to coffee or tea. These are common substances, but that doesn’t mean that they are not addictive.

This year, one complaint from IPL management is that they only run ads about addictive things like poker, rummy, or fantasy sports. These are the main sponsors who have zero utility in real life. I think we should at least ensure that sportspersons do not promote these apps.

Just like these companies show success stories, the government should take the initiative to broadcast the experiences of those who are addicted. What do you think? Do you agree with me? What are your thoughts? Tell me in the comments.

]]> https://penloom.com/how-online-betting-apps-are-destroying-indian-youth/feed/ 0 How It All Started ‘The Ashes’: The Greatest Rivalry In The Cricket History https://penloom.com/how-it-all-started-the-ashes-the-greatest-rivalry-in-the-cricket-history/ https://penloom.com/how-it-all-started-the-ashes-the-greatest-rivalry-in-the-cricket-history/#respond Wed, 18 Oct 2023 10:29:54 +0000 https://penloom.com/?p=8828 Rivalries add to the excitement of sports. Cricket has a rich history and heritage. It, too, has had its share of competitors. India vs. Pakistan has become a prominent event in recent years, although it lacks historical significance. If you’re a true cricket enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of ‘The Ashes,’ played between England and Australia. The 141-year-old rivalry is regarded as one of the best in the world of sports. But do you know how it began and what makes ‘The Ashes’ the greatest? In this post, I’ll go through the history of the rivalry and how it’s going statistically. Let’s get started!

How It All Began

In 1877, Melbourne hosted England and Australia’s first international cricket match. Since then, the two sides have played an annual Test series. That test series, however, was played on English land one year and on Australian soil the next. As a result, when the series is played for the first five years, the host country wins. However, it was overturned in 1882, laying the groundwork for the Ashes series’ history.

The Australian squad travelled to England to compete in a one-match Test series. Australia won the toss in that match and chose to bat first, which began on August 28, 1882, at the Oval Stadium. However, as England’s bowlers bowled magnificently, the Australian batters filed into the pavilion one after the other. In their first innings, Australia was all out for 63 runs. Eight players are out for a single-digit score, particularly in the Australian innings. It describes how beautifully England’s bowlers bowled during that innings.

As a result, at the end of Australia’s first innings, English fans began to rejoice that their team would win the match. But everything changed when Australia started bowling. Like the Australian batters before them, the England batters queued up for the pavilion. Despite this, England scored 101 runs and had a 38-run lead in the first innings. On the other hand, Australia made a crucial comeback in the second innings, doubling their first-innings score.

Opening Batter Hugh Massie hit a brilliant half-century to help Australia reach 122 runs. Nonetheless, England’s objective is only 85 runs. As a result, even with such a small target, England supporters believe their team will win. However, Frederick Spofforth, who took seven wickets in England’s first innings, was also wonderfully bowled in the second innings. He only gave up 44 runs in 28 overs and took another seven wickets.

England was all out for 77 in their second innings and could not chase down even the lowest goal of 85 runs, losing the match by seven runs. They were defeated on their home turf for the first time in cricket history.

The Beginning of the Ashes Series (1882)

The fans, like the England players, could not accept their setback. The English media began criticizing their team after losing the series for the first time on home soil. During this period, The Sporting Times of England ran a sarcastic piece titled “English Cricket Which Died at the Oval on August 29, 1882.” They also added a tagline to this title, suggesting that we must be more robust for this tragedy as a tribute to English cricket.

However, they placed a remark behind this phrase that said RIP, paving the way for the Ashes’ history. “The English cricket body will be cremated, and the ashes will be transported to Australia,” they said in their piece. At the time, the story sparked a great lot of debate. The British nation, which governed the world then, could not tolerate the humiliation they suffered in their own country.

Ivo Bligh was now named the England team’s new captain. Bligh took the piece seriously and vowed in front of the English press. “In the subsequent visit to Australia,” he declared, “we will defeat them and bring back the Ashes.” The series was called “The Quest to Regain the Ashes” by the English media. As a result of this landmark series, the Ashes series history took a giant stride forward.

The Quest to Reclaim the Ashes (1882-83)

The term produced a warlike mood among the followers of the two countries. Their fans pressured the English squad to win the Ashes at any cost. In addition, the series has been renamed The Ashes since then. However, these ashes remained a fiction, invisible to all. The Ashes series history had just begun as the England team prepared to reclaim the Ashes.

The England squad travelled to Australia in December 1882 to play a three-match series against Australia. However, England lost the first Test on December 30 in Melbourne. However, the following year, in January 1883, England defeated Australia 2-1 in the remaining two Tests to win the first-ever series on Australian soil. At the time, a women’s group in Melbourne burned a wooden bail on the stumps, placed its ashes in an urn, and presented it to Bligh. English cricket supporters called it the “Ashes of Australia” and welcomed the return of the Ashes to England.

So, from then on, the two sides took the Ashes extremely seriously and began playing to win the series and keep the Ashes in their country. Bligh married Florence Morphy, a woman from the women’s group who had given Bligh the ashes a year after the incident. As a result, the urn was considered a personal gift for Bligh and was delivered to him. So the series was named after the Ashes, but no real trophy represents it. As a result, there is no physical representation of the Ashes series’ history. Now the Ashes Urn is presented to the winner of the series.

Stats for the Ashes Series (1882-2022)

The Ashes have been played 72 times between the two teams. Australia has won the Ashes 34 times, while England has won it 32 times. The Ashes series was drawn the other six times.

72 series have been played in all.

Australia won with a score of 34.

England won with a score of 32.

Drawn Series – 6

So, why is it significant? 

Free photo cricketer on the field in action

Unpredictability is another quality that the Ashes series possesses. The tournament has seen the rise and fall of many cricketers. With the increased competitiveness and pressure situations, quality is the only thing that remains, which makes the unpredictable turnaround in one’s career. As the fierce competition continues, the intensity and the pressure start to come in and make things more exciting to watch. This is all about the greatest rivalry in the game of cricket.

]]> https://penloom.com/how-it-all-started-the-ashes-the-greatest-rivalry-in-the-cricket-history/feed/ 0 Top 10 Best Footballers in the World: A Look at the Greatest Players https://penloom.com/top-10-best-footballers-in-the-world-a-look-at-the-greatest-players/ https://penloom.com/top-10-best-footballers-in-the-world-a-look-at-the-greatest-players/#respond Wed, 11 Oct 2023 12:24:46 +0000 https://penloom.com/?p=8742 When it comes to football, this is the most heated topic of all time. Perhaps this topic is the greatest of all time. Football fans always debate who is the greatest of all-time football players. Pele? Maradona? Leonel Messi? Ronaldo? There are so many players that we can think of when this topic comes up.

After winning the World Cup, many fans and critics have accepted Messi as the greatest of all time. Of course, he is the Goat, but so are others.

Let’s look at these players who are doing their best for their clubs and countries. Some already have claimed their spot as Goat, and some are on their way to getting it. And Hey, if you think there are better players who can make it to this list, then you are right!

Leonel Messi 

No one will deny you if you call Messi the son of God. The magic that he has in his feet is out of this world. If there’s a man who can pierce an entire line of defence, then that’s Leonel Messi.

Leonel Messi has won the most number of Ballon d’Or and golden boots. Leo has won many major trophies for Barcelona and Argentina. And, of course, finally, he completed his collection of trophies with the World Cup last year. The collective effort of Argentina’s football squad made it possible. There was a time when Leo decided to leave Argentina’s national team, but it was never meant to happen.

Leo was a goat even before he won the World Cup. But that World Cup trophy in his hand made it certain. Leonel Messi is the Greatest of all time.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is the man who has crafted himself into the greatest player of all time. Ronaldo has climbed the stairs of success in the football industry with his resilient mentality and hard work.

Ronaldo’s mere presence makes his teammates more disciplined. He has won major trophies with all the clubs he played for and also for Portugal. He is the football world’s all-time top goal scorer. He has made and broken so many football world records, making him one of the greatest of all time.

What Ronaldo and Messi have brought to the world of football can not be matched. Their rivalry alone is the greatest of all time.

Luka Modrić

Modric is the master of assists. His efforts have helped Croatia perform best in the World Cup many times. The way he plays in Real Madrid’s midfield is magical. Many great players have left the club, but Modric has kept his position with impeccable performance.

Modric’s game reading is very quick. He easily adapts to all kinds of lineups and delivers the ball into the penalty area like an impeccable launcher. Even at the age of 37, Luka Modric is showing no signs of slowing down.

Karim Benzema

Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema did his absolute best last season and won the Champions League. His feet know how to place the ball in the back of the net all the time. He loves to produce clutch goals. He is that player who will make you regret your one mistake.

He has won the majestic Champions League five times with Real Madrid and is a big threat to opponents this time, too. With an outstanding performance last year, Benzema finally won his first Ballon d’Or. There was no doubt he totally deserved it. He missed the World Cup because of an injury, but he is all set to put up a show in the Champions League again.

Kevin De Bruyne

The midfielder that every striker wants in his team. Some people say he is a wizard, and you won’t deny this fact. His assists are impeccable, and so is his shooting ability.

The way Kevin moulds the ball has no comparison. He can pass the ball with the same accuracy with both feet. It gives the goalkeeper no time to think, and in many cases, he makes keepers close their eyes.

Perhaps none of Kevin de Bruyne’s fans was happy with Belgium’s performance at the World Cup. But he is doing his best in Manchester City. He is one player that Pep Guardiola always relies on. His wizardry will certainly increase Man City’s possibilities of winning the premier league this season as well. However, we can not say the same when it comes to the Champion League. But hey, anything can happen; maybe this time, he will score a winning goal in the Champions League finals.

Neymar

Neymar’s dribbling skills can make defenders bobble their heads. His body moment and out-of-the-world football skills make fans crazy all the time. Neymar has created many football tricks that fans around the world love to try on. You can call Neymar the trickster of the football world.

With Messi and Suarez, Neymar became a part of a trio that was unstoppable at times. He did wonderful things at Barcelona and is doing his best at PSG right now. He has made several statements about his retirement after turning thirty. Indeed, none of the football fans want him to retire this soon.   

Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappe has the World Cup in his trophy collection and nearly ruined Messi’s dream of winning one. He is indeed one of the best young players of our time. He is a great admirer of Ronaldo and always strives for excellence. He is scoring consistent goals for PSG, helping the club stay at the top of Ligue 1.

Perhaps he made a lot of Real Madrid fans angry when he decided to stay at PSG. Where he will go in future is uncertain, but he is on the path to becoming the greatest of all time.

Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich’s bazooka, scored a hat trick in 9 minutes. He had an absolute blast playing for Bayern Munich. Many critics thought that his performance would go down after Barcelona move. But no sir, that did not happen at all, and he is continuously scoring goals at Barcelona. Barcelona is currently at the top of La Liga’s chart.

He does his best for Poland as well. His good efforts helped Poland qualify for the World Cup 2022 group stages. But France put an end to their journey in the knockout stages. Poland has a great national team, but they have a lot to learn to beat other world-class teams.

Vinicius Junior

There is something majestic in Brazilian blood that makes them world-class football players. Vinicius Junior has got this Brazilian magic in him. The way he is playing at Real Madrid is mesmerising. Even the world-class defence of Liverpool was unable to stop him and Benzema in the Champions League final.

His responsibility at Brazil’s national team is somewhere similar to Neymar’s. His dominance on the left side makes many defenders worry.

Erling Haaland

Call him a rocket or tank; Erling Haaland can score with just one touch. He has already scored a few hat tricks for Mancity. His Norwegian genetics help him pierce the opponent team’s defence like nothing. But hey, he is not invincible; we all know what happened when he first met van Dijk in club friendlies. But after that, Haaland has scored some exceptional goals. Even with his first touch.

Maybe he and Kylian Mbappé will bring a new era of rivalries like Ronaldo and Messi.

End Note 

You can name many football players who are the greatest of all time. Their contribution to the game and industry is immense. If you feel like you want to name some other player, then comment and share your thoughts with us. Let’s see who are some of the greatest players of all time according to you.

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