Online Betting

[Ric Flair guy]

Anybody do any online sports wagering? I can't seem to find a straight answer on the legality of this, or any decent suggestions on which online books are better than others. Input?

 

[Freelance Hack]

Technically speaking, it's illegal in the US. But, of course, that didn't stop a bunch of Europeans and Americans from setting up off-shore companies in the Carribean and Costa Rica. The U.S. Government has decided now to start cracking down on some of them. I think the hope is, if they land a couple sharks, then the rest of the fish will go away.

BetonSports.com just got slammed when their CEO decided to make a trip to the States. He got arrested.

Go to BetonSports.com now and see what's going on.

 

[Walter_Sobchak]

I wagered on VIPSports.com last football season, but don't have as much expendable cash this year. That said, I read somewhere that it's not technically illegal to bet, but it is illegal to run the betting operation, which is why they're all set up in the Carribean. That's probably a bunch of BS, but oh well. Congress is actively working on legislation to make it illegal to gamble online, however.

Anyways, http://www.sportsbookreview.com/Ratings+on+over+400+Sportsbooks+/default.aspx?Show=Grade gives ratings for a buttload of different books. VIP never gave me any problems, and cashouts were always easy. Pinnacle is also very popular among bettors.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Bill Frist is playing deep political games right now, trying to crack down on credit-card funding
of offshore accounts w/a rider attatched to the Department of Defense bill currently
being discussed. His chances are slim, but he's a desperate man, trying to pander
to the whackazoid base in his longshot bid for the '08 GOP nom.

 

[Ric Flair guy]

So I should feel relatively safe if I want to make a few wagers? Thanks for the responses so far.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Safe's a relative term. If the CEO of your offshore of choice lands in the states, and
the DOJ is clocking manifests, thinks they have a case, and decides to cuff your man, well . . . that's what
sank BetOnSports.

Virtually all major offshore execs are steering well clear of the states, these days.

 

[trifectarich]

I do not recommend bodog.com even though it appears to be a very popular site. Too often you'll have to risk 12 or 12.5 to win 10. Winning is tough enough without giving the house a little extra to boot.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

BoDog also deals dual lines. If you display any evidence of harboring a sporting IQ higher
than Pat Robertson, you'll be dealt their "sharp" line, hostile to those playing wiseguy sides.

 

[Ric Flair guy]

Sportsbook.com any good?

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Another outfit currently being hectored by the Feds, based on some ancient, decades-old
charges out of Louisiana . . . unlike BetOnSports, they show no sign of turning tail, though . . .

 

[Ric Flair guy]

Just got done researching Pinnacle. They seem really good. No gimmicky promotions so they are able to offer a little better odds (and money lines on NFL games).

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Have fun. Aside from Pinnacle, you've touched on the guys most in the news, lately.
I'll let others who no doubt know far more about this field than I do, carry the ball
further . . .

 

[Huggy]

I bet with William Hill for some years (my brother used them and I liked the fact they were backed by a real, live British bookie) but lately I haven't been able to make deposits because VISA is trying to stop people using their cards for online betting. I can jump through hoops to get their approval to do it apparently, but can't be bothered.

Anyone else had this?

 

[Columbo]

Anyone able to get a credit card deposit through anymore?

 

[Lucas Wiseman]

I occasionally bet on football games at SportsInteraction.com... given there seems to be some interest in this topic I put a banner ad at the top of the game. I made out quite well one year betting on USF and got a check promptly after I requested it.