Mar 03, 2017 ways to help you stop gambling altogether, if this is the best way to help you stay in control, such as self-exclusion. Contact information for support agencies, such as GamCare, Gordon Moody Association and the National Problem Gambling Clinic who can offer specific counselling, help, advice or treatment for those with an existing gambling.

• Quotes For Gambling With Friends
• Online Gambling With Friends
• Is Gambling With Friends Legal
• Gambling With Friends At Work

1. Another 3% or so are experiencing harm from heavy gambling and are at risk of becoming problem gamblers. In this section you will find useful resources to help you support a friend, family member, teenager, student or colleague. Support someone. For family and friends: looking after yourself. For family and friends: supporting a loved one.
2. Gambling help for South Australians – problem gamblers, family, friends and the wider community. Help and support via the free and confidential 24/7 Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 and Gambling Help Services across the state. Gain self-help tips, find out what your odds are, assess your gambling, learn how to take back control of your gambling addiction and read real gambling stories and how.

Rayful Edmond III (born November 26, 1964) is an American former drug trafficker in Washington, D.C. in the 1980s. Edmond is largely credited with having introduced crack cocaine into the Washington, D.C. area during the crack epidemic, resulting in an escalating crime rate in the city which became known as the 'murder capital of the United States'.^[1]

Criminal career[edit]

Edmond was alleged to have moved large amounts of cocaine. In an indictment involving two of Edmond's associates, it was said that they bought between 1,000 and 2,000 kilos per week in 1992 from the Trujillo-Blanco brothers, who were associated with the Medellin cartel, and sold the drugs to Washington area wholesalers. He was known to have spent some $457,619 in an exclusive Georgetown store (Linea Pitti, specializing in Italian men's clothing) owned by Charles Wynn who was later convicted on 34 counts of money laundering. Edmond's estimated revenue was approximately $300 million annually.^[2] In one year, Edmond's organization, which employed 150 people, committed 30 murders.^[3]

Remarking on Edmond, longtime D.C. mayor Marion Barry wrote in his autobiography:

He was a young, likable guy, good-looking, with a good personality, and a lot of his friends he played basketball with had no idea that he was involved in drug selling. He was basically pulled into it from his family, That doesn't make it right, but Rayful had a lot of people who liked him and were very loyal to him.^[4]

The meeting with John Thompson[edit]

Edmond was an avid fan of the Georgetown Hoyas, and frequently sat courtside with his entourage at the Capital Centre for home games. At the height of his empire, he became very friendly with several Hoyas players. When Georgetown University basketball coach (and D.C. native) John Thompson confirmed what was happening, he sent word through his sources to have Edmond meet him at his office at McDonough Gymnasium.

When Edmond arrived, Thompson was initially cordial, and informed Edmond that he needed to cease all contacts with his players,^[5] specifically John Turner and Alonzo Mourning, both of whom had befriended Edmond.^[6] However, Thompson's parting words to Edmond were that Edmond would face serious consequences if he did not stay away from his players.^[7] It is believed that Thompson is the only person to stand up to Edmond without consequence,^[8] initially causing some shock and surprise that there was no reprisal against Thompson for it. However, in a memoir published posthumously in December 2020, Thompson characterized the encounter very differently, calling it very respectful. Thompson asked Rayful if he would make sure that Alonzo and John were not wrapped up in any of the illegal activity. Rayful told Thompson that he would take care of it and both men left the meeting in agreement and with respect for each other as human beings. Rayful is quoted as saying afterwords, 'Coach Thompson is cool as hell'.^[9]

Arrest, trial, and conviction[edit]

Edmond was arrested on April 15, 1989^[10] at the age of 24. His arrest and subsequent trial were widely covered by local and national media. Judicial officials, fearful of reprisals from members of Edmond's gang, imposed unprecedented security during the trial. Jurors' identities were kept secret before, during, and after trial, and their seating area was enclosed in bulletproof glass. The presiding judge even barred the public from the trial in an effort to protect the jury.^[3] Edmond was jailed at the maximum security facility at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia and flown to the Federal Court House in Washington, D.C. by helicopter each day for his trial. Authorities took this unusual step due to heightened fears of an armed escape attempt.

Edmond was convicted of numerous federal violations: (1) Engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise, under 21 U.S.C. §§ 848(b), 853 (Count One); (2) Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 50 grams of cocaine base, under 21 U.S.C. § 846 (Count Two); (3) Unlawfully employing a person under 18 years of age, under 21 U.S.C. § 845b (Count Five); (4) Interstate travel in aid of racketeering, under 18 U.S.C. § 1952(a) (Count Eleven); (5) Unlawful use of a communications facility, under 21 U.S.C. § 843(b) (Counts Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, and Eighteen).^[11]

On September 17, 1990, the District Court imposed sentences of mandatory life without parole on Count One, life without parole on Counts Two and Five, 60 months on Count Eleven, and 48 months on Counts Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, and Eighteen. Edmond's sentences were to run concurrently.^[11]

Edmond was eventually sentenced to life in prison without parole. His mother, Constance 'Bootsie' Perry,^[12] was sentenced to 14 years in prison for participating in his criminal enterprise. Several of his sisters and cousins also received sentences.^[11]

Edmond continued to deal after being incarcerated in the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary, in Pennsylvania. He hooked up with Dixon Dario and Osvaldo 'Chiqui' Trujillo-Blanco (son of Griselda 'Godmother' Trujillo Blanco) who shared the same cell block with him. Edmond was setting up deals between D.C. area traffickers and his Colombian connection while incarcerated. In 1996, Edmond and another drug dealer from Atlanta, named Lowe, were convicted after conducting drug business from a federal prison phone. Edmond received an additional 30-year sentence. In an interview with the Bureau of Prisons, Edmond said he had spent several hours every day on the telephone, occasionally using two lines simultaneously to conduct his drug business. Attorney General Eric Holder criticized the Federal Bureau of Prisons for its lax management that allowed drug deals to be conducted from inside prison.^[13]

In 1996, federal authorities revealed that Edmond had become a government informant.^[13][14] With Edmond's cooperation, the government arrested 11 alleged drug dealers working in Washington D.C. In exchange, federal prosecutors agreed to seek a reduced sentence for Edmond's mother.^[14]

Edmond is still incarcerated but is now part of the United States Federal Witness Protection Program. The prison where he is held has not been disclosed by the government.^[15]

In 2019, Edmond returned to D.C. for hearings on whether his life sentence should be reduced to time served based on the information he provided to authorities concerning 20 homicides. At the time, a survey by the District of Columbia Attorney General showed that half of D.C. residents thought Edmond should be released.^[15]

In popular culture[edit]

In film[edit]

• Edmond features prominently in the documentary film The Life of Rayful Edmond Vol.1 The Rise and Fall (2005)^[16]

In music[edit]

• On his song 'Can I Live' (1996), rapper Jay Z says, 'No more Big Willie, my game has grown prefer you call me William Illin' for revenues, Rayful Edmond like Channel 7 News.'
• Rapper Rick Ross makes reference to Rayful Edmond on the Meek Mill song 'Work', Ross says, 'Not the Reagan Era but a nigga making cheddar Rayful Edmond in the mirror and I'm never telling.'
• Rapper Rick Ross makes reference to Rayful Edmond on his song 'I Think She Like Me', Ross says, 'I'm Rayful Edmond mixed with young Wale Folarin.'
• Rapper Westside Gunn has a song titled 'Rayful's Plug' based on Edmond.

In print[edit]

Quotes For Gambling With Friends

• Rayful Edmond plays a significant role in Seth Ferranti book Rayful Edmond (2013).^[17]

In television[edit]

• Rayful Edmond was featured in episode 9, season 2 of American Gangster.

References[edit]

1. ^'American Gangster, Rayful Edmonds III'. Bet.com. Archived from the original on 2010-04-30. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
2. ^'Rayful Edmond'. Panachereport.com. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
3. ^ ^abChris79. 'The Life Of Rayful Edmond Movie Trailer Video'. Vodpod.com. Archived from the original on 2010-06-20. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
4. ^Barry, Marion; Tyree, Omar (2014). Mayor for Life, The Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr. Largo: Strebor Books. pp. 180. ISBN978-1-59309-505-5.
5. ^'In Times Like These, D.C. Sports Fans Should Remember the Greats'. Bleacher Report. 2009-10-02. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
6. ^Wilbon, Michael. 'A Coach, Not a Crusader'. The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
7. ^Wise, Mike (2007-02-10). 'Big John Is Still Big John'. The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
8. ^Ali (2008-09-02). 'Streetball, Sneakers, Bobbito, Nike Air Force, Jordans ' Blog Archive ' The Playground Gave Us Big John and Georgetown Basketball'. Bouncemag.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
9. ^Thompson, John (17 December 2020). 'Behind John Thompson's closed-door meeting with drug kingpin Rayful Edmond III'. The Undefeated. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
10. ^Lewis, Nancy (1989-05-16). 'Edmond, 28 others indicted in drug ring'. The Washington Post. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
11. ^ ^abc'USA v. RAYFUL EDMOND, III'(PDF). Court of Appeals, District of Columbia. 28 April 1995. Archived from the original(PDF) on January 21, 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
12. ^'The Once Millionaire Drug Dealer, Rayful Edmond III Could Get Another Chance - Unusual News'. Zimbio. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
13. ^ ^abLocy, Toni (1996-08-09). 'NOTORIOUS D.C. DRUG DEALER TURNS INFORMER TO AID MOM'. The Washington Post. ISSN0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
14. ^ ^ab'Drug Kingpin Turns Snitch After Dealing From Prison'. AP NEWS. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
15. ^ ^abAlexander, Keith (15 October 2019). 'After 30 years behind bars, '80s D.C. drug kingpin Rayful Edmond III returns to court in hopes of early release'. Washington Post. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
16. ^Cauvin, Henri E. (July 22, 2005). 'A Drug Kingpin's Hot-Selling Story: DVD on Rayful Edmond III Has Captivated Washington'. The Washington Post. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
17. ^Seth Ferranti (2011). Rayful Edmond. Gorilla Convict Publications. ISBN978-0980068771.

External links[edit]

• Rayful at BET Shows - American Gangster

Online Gambling With Friends

According to the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, up to 80 per cent of 13 to 17-year olds gamble. ‘This includes gambling with friends, playing lottery tickets, raffles and sweeps’.

Young people may gain access to gambling sites by accidentally clicking on a pop-up or ad, or they may deliberately choose to visit a gambling site out of curiosity. Unfortunately, the age restrictions associated with these sites are usually quite easy to get around.

Is Gambling With Friends Legal

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation further acknowledges that social media, games and in-app advertising make online gambling more accessible and attractive to young people. What is appealing to young people about participating in prohibited activities such as gambling is not the money but the excitement and social image or praise that tends to come from it.

A lot of sports betting occurs on smartphones and tablets. This increases the risk, ease of access, and ability for young people to hide their gambling from parents.

Key Statistics On Under Age Gambling

• 75% of children aged 8–16 who watch sport believe that betting on it is normal
• 25% of children aged 8–16 who watch sport can name 4 or more sports betting companies
• 1 in 5 adults with a gambling problem started gambling before they were 18.

While, according to experts, underage gambling does not automatically lead to problems with gambling, teenagers are more vulnerable to developing addictions because they:

• have less impulse control and capacity to understand or evaluate risks
• are more likely to think they’re going to win
• believe they can predict winners in sport, or even the pokies when they can’t
• are less able to be critical about or resist advertising.

In terms of the long-term impacts, research suggests that teenagers who gamble are 4 times more likely to develop a gambling problem than adults who gamble.

Under Age Gambling: Things You Can Do

• Understand that young people often gamble for the same reason they try other risky activities such as using drugs or alcohol.
• Be prepared to hear counter arguments such as ‘everybody else does it’.
• Set clear rules and boundaries and establish predetermined consequences (rather than enforcing arbitrary knee-jerk punishments).
• Bear in mind that research has shown that a child’s feelings towards gambling are strongly influenced by the home environment, peer pressure and the media.
• Talk to young people about gambling to give them a chance to understand what it is, how it works and the impact it can have on a person’s life so that they can make informed choices.
• Be vigilant in observing your child’s behaviour and any changes in these behaviours that may indicate problem gambling risk factors.
• Avoid letting your child have access to apps or games which contain heavy in-app advertising, as these are often breeding grounds for gambling ads.

Under Age Gambling: The Warning Signs

• obsession with simulated gambling apps and games
• spending lots of time talking or thinking about gambling
• experiencing mood swings, feeling stressed when not gambling
• lying or being secretive about gambling activities
• borrowing or taking money from family and friends
• missing school or grades falling due to the time being spent gambling.

Where To Go For More Information About Under Age Gambling

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Resources and research on youth gambling addiction

Gambling Helpline. Support for anyone affected by gambling

Gambling With Friends At Work

Know the odds. A guide: Knowing the dangers of youth gambling addiction