John Riordan: Gambling rides to the rescue of American TV's fallen giant

Up until very recently, Ireland and UK gamblers in New York availed of VPN workarounds that helped the user trick overseas companies into thinking they were placing a bet from their jurisdiction.

Arsenal's Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira celebrates after scoring the final penalty in the shoot-out after the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, in London, August 6, 2023. Arsenal won after a 4-1 penalty shoot-out win, following the 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

It was really just a social call to Forgtmenot, an escape from the early Sunday morning heat, an excuse built around the Community Shield.

Forgtmenot, memorably and accurately described by New York Magazine as enjoying a “cluttered, surf-shack décor and tag-sale furniture feel”, is also a great place to watch football. If I think an out-of-towner can hack the slightly gritty, very pretentious, mostly exhausted Dimes Square section at the eastern end of Canal Street, I’ll insist on bringing them here.