Gambling is big business. There are various types of gambling and it is internationally a global market. Games of chance are a source of entertainment and sometimes a source of major monetary gain. Many people do not know that gambling in some form is legal across Canada. All gambling establishments are regulated at the state level. This means there are different methods of gambling and different laws which regulate the industry. Good for the economy Gambling is a popular activity for adults everywhere. From a business point of view, it is a major money-maker. Casinos bring in travelers who want to experience the beauty of areas such as Brandon. The casinos are their nightlife while vacationing. Vacationers mean restaurants profit, hotels profit, shops profit, and local attractions reap the benefits of the travelers. The gambling industry in Canada grew by 4.9% in the year 2017. That equals CA$17.3 billion in revenue. These numbers show a rise in revenue for the fourth year consecutively. The trend continues While the growth is welcomed, it keeps lawmakers busy making sure policies are in place to control and enforce regulations Locals Gambling is not just for the visitors of Canada. People who live in the area will often visit a casino as part of an evening out or having fun with friends. However, with the popularity of offshore gambling sites like Lottoland, people can gamble from the comfort of their home or office with the use of their personal computer or mobile device. The websites are user-friendly and customer service agents are available to answer questions. Nothing has been held back in giving players an exciting experience. The offshore casino offers the same opportunity as a domestic casino. There are video slots, poker, table games, (live dealers if you want them) and much more. They provide betting on sporting events and races. But perhaps the most popular feature of an offshore casino is the lottery. Lottery globally! Playing the lottery is so common that people who do not gamble will go out of their way to pick up a ticket when the purse gets high enough. In the past, people who were going to be in the US or near the border would come over and buy lottery tickets. You had to show up in person to buy the ticket and if you won, you had to show up in person to collect your winnings. Lotteries that are geographically impossible to travel for are unattainable. Offshore casinos like Lottoland are available online. They are licensed and they meet all legal requirements. People access their favorite games online. Lottoland makes it possible to play Mega-Millions or Powerball online without crossing the border.  You are not restricted from buying tickets from all locations. As with domestic casinos, betting on races and sporting events are possible. Game-night takes on a whole new meaning for sports lovers. How it works When you play your state lottery, you select your numbers and if those numbers are chosen, you win the prize. When you play the lottery on Lottoland, you are not betting on your local lottery. You are betting on the results of the lottery. You are provided with the same styles and choices of the lottery and the same prizes are awarded. But, if you win you are paid by Lottoland. In 2018, Guinness World Record verified that Lottoland paid out the largest lottery win to the tune of 90m euros. Before that winning ticket, the largest lottery payout was 14m euros. Because of this, Lottoland can offer you a full range of choices from anywhere in the world. Small winnings they pay for from the “house” and large winnings are paid via the insurance company they are required to have by law. Final thought Canada has much to offer its citizens and visitors. Whether you come for the natural beauty of the country or the fun and excitement of the casinos and nightlife, you will find what you are looking for in Brandon. Enjoy a few nights in a luxury hotel and spa or just come for dinner and shopping and play the lottery from your smartphone whenever and wherever you like. You are sure to enjoy your stay and you just might go home a winner.

“School!” Shhh, don’t say that too loud. To some, hearing the ’s’ word at this time of the year is worse than hearing a drunken sailor cursing at the local watering hole. Unfortunately, whether we want to or not, we do have to start thinking about what September will bring. If you’re moving to Brandon or Winnipeg to enter the post-secondary world then it’s time to start looking for a suitable place to live. Here are some tips to help make your search for proper accommodations go smoothly: Start Looking Now – If you wait until the end of August you will have a limited selection and run the risk of not being able to find something in your price range or the neighbourhood you had your heart set on. Consider Location – While it might be most convenient to live near your school, you may also save on parking or transit fees by living within walking distance. Also, don’t have blinders on when you’re considering the neighbourhood. Go for a walk or drive through the neighbourhood at night (where the apartment or condominium is located). You want to make sure that you feel safe being there at all times of the day. Save with a Roommate – Quite often two or three-bedroom apartments are more affordable than a one-bedroom. For example, there are newer one-bedroom apartments in Brandon for $1,000 per month. On the flip side, you can find a nice two-bedroom apartment for $1,200; with two people living there, each person would save $400 each month (versus each having their own apartment). For tips on selecting a roommate, check out this article: https://www.vhproperties.ca/tips-for-selecting-a-roommate/ Have a Co-signor – While students may have a savings account or student loans to help pay for school, most landlords screen applications based on rent to income ratios and credit scores. Some students do maintain part-time jobs, but often the money from those jobs does not support the rent value. Be prepared to have a parent or guardian co-sign for the apartment. Yearly Lease – Most landlords require tenants to sign a one-year lease for an apartment. In some centres, there is a trend for students to return home in the spring and start their apartment hunt all over again in the fall. In many cases, there is little or no savings from moving home for the summer months. If you do sign a yearly lease and decide to return to your hometown in the spring, you could always assign your lease to another interested tenant. For more information on this, check out this article: https://www.vhproperties.ca/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go/ Ask about Promotions – Fall is the time when property owners are hoping to fill any vacant units before winter hits. If you are looking to save a few dollars, ask the landlord if there are any specials, promotions or discounts available. If you can get $200 off the monthly rental fee, throughout the year that would add up to a free month of rent. Poll your Friends & Contacts – If you know of someone from your area that went to school in the same city, ask them where they stayed and what they liked and didn’t like about their accommodations. They may be able to offer tips and advice that will help you to find the perfect place to live. Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP) provides rental housing and property management for an array of residential and commercial customers, including Condominium Management. VHP currently has over 4,000 units under management in Manitoba.  For more information please visit www.vhproperties.ca. (article submitted)

Healthy Brandon in motion, in partnership with BU Recreation, the BU Healthy Living Centre and the Westman Physical Literacy Committee, is excited about the upcoming 3rd Annual FREE Community Family Fun Fest taking place on Sunday, September 8th from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Community members will have the opportunity to meet and learn a variety of sports and activities from the Bobcat athletes themselves, including basketball, soccer, pickle ball, and volleyball. There will also be a physical literacy motion zone put on by Fit Kids Healthy Kids and the opportunity to become a ‘Bobcat Ninja’ and try out a challenging obstacle course. NEW this year – we will also be collecting gently used athletic footwear in all sizes at the event – these shoes will be donated to someone in need. The event will be a fun way to learn about physical literacy and physical activity, as well as try out some new sports and activities. There will be prizes for everyone that fills out the event ‘passport’! The event is drop-in and stay as long or as little as you want. For more information, please call Nikki Dean, Healthy Brandon in motion at (204) 578-2194 or e-mail ndean@pmh-mb.ca. (submitted article)

Open tomorrow, weather permitting. Please check their Facebook page for any changes to their opening times and dates due to poor weather conditions. Grab your bike, stay the night, have a bite to eat in the pub - they can’t wait to see you! There will be 3 trails open, 2 runs are created for single track and the bunny hill has been created for multi track use. Ride the chair lift to the top and then bike your way down through the trails. Mountain Bike Trails / Shell Valley Campground / Pub - all opening weekends ONLY. Fridays Noon - 8pm Saturdays 10am - 10pm Sundays 9am - 4pm For a price list, please click here.

Entrepreneur Geoff Gregoire answers 20 questions in this installment of Community Connection. Geoff, along with his brother Tim, is the owner of Contractor's Corner Design Centre. He also owns the Pelican Campground & Lounge. Sopranos or Seinfeld:  Neither, sports center or The Profit, Billionaire Buyer  Would people consider yourself a good athlete:  Id say I used to be Best business decision: Contractors Corner, but Pelican Lake is becoming a close second quickly. Worst business decision:  The unsuccessful ones  If you had a private plane for one day and you could take 5 people on a trip, who would they be:  Grandma, Mom, Dad, Tim, Corlee Do you recycle:  Yes, Mom & Grams would be very upset if I didn't What is the one food you could never give up:  Wings or Pizza Who works harder you or your brother:  We are a team, but outside that I'll say me   Have you ever taken advice from anyone, and if so who: Grandpa Keith  Biggest role model:  Grandpa and Grandma Blight  Trump or Biden: Trump  Does anything excite you:  Not Really, but if I had to pick something id say success excites me. Weird travel habits:  I like my travels to include golf Describe your dad in one word:  Role Model  What will you be famous for:  Working too much, trying to run too many businesses   What annoys you:  People who cant think and plan ahead  Do you live your life by any quotes:  Work Hard, Play Harder; Your only as good as your team  Favorite Wheat King player of all time, and you can’t say Scott Glennie: Ryan Craig  Would you go to a foreign country alone: No  Go to meal at Joe Beeverz:  Wings