Ever so slightly you can see a tiny change in the offshore betting landscape this year. Thousands of sports bettors worldwide are witnessing a change, but many are too busy to take note. Six months into 2010 has already seen some major changes. Sportsbook Review Blog will take the time to reveal some of this years events.
What happens when you play at an offshore sportsbook that is well established and never has payout problems only to see it fade faster than a dying star? Your left scratching your head and wondering who can I trust with my money. A perfect example of this is the BetOnSports fiasco that left a bad taste for many offshore bettors.
2010 has already shaped up to be an eye awakening year for solid operations having major problems. Some of this may be due to the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) passed by the Bush administration. Some operations fold or run into trouble by miss handling money, poor bookmaking or running an all out scam.
One such book to run into problems is Jazz Sports. This offshore sportsbook in Costa Rica is well established and could not be more respected by its peers. Until recently, players were paid same day without the normal issues facing bettors trying to collect winnings. It seems Jazz has ran aground with some huge money problems. When solid operations run into issues like Jazz it really shortens the scope of sites players can relay on for safe and secure payouts.
Another long-standing sportsbook to run into financial problems is the World Sports Exchange. For those of you not aware, WSEX is a pioneer offshore sports betting operation started back in 1995. In fact, many of today’s operators are in the business because of the success of WSEX and its charismatic owner Jay Cohen. Mr. Cohen was the first person convicted of breaking the wire act due to running an offshore sportsbook. Sadly, this historic super book has also seen better days and is currently slow paying players due to a lack of funds.
60 Minutes link with Jay Cohen and Steve Schillinger quotes in 2003. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/04/60minutes/main571621.shtml
A book with a smaller pedigree that failed in 2010 includes Bet911. Sportsbook Review Blog was the first to blow the whistle against this sportsbook charade. Players didn’t listen and were once again taken by the constant shilling and unfounded upgrades given by the major sports betting forums. Not everyone is lucky enough to have his or her ear to the ground, but the obvious warning signs were everywhere. Bet911 is still open as a deposit only sportsbook.
An operation with a long-standing player base to simply move into a new direction (twice) is Skybook. Skybook has been known as a solid out with some good value. The owners closed up shop last year and have moved twice and are now operating as a sister book at BetPhoenix.
Speaking of BetPhoenix, we ran a post on the health and welfare of BetPhoenix titled BetPhoenix in Trouble? Looks like the sportsbook is getting those payouts out faster to the happiness of its players. However, this is another indication that sportsbooks are having some issues no matter how secure they seem. Phoenix, Bookmaker, JustBet, BetUS, Sportsbook, Sports Interaction, and others are having some minor delays in payouts. Players should understand to be a tad more patient while being aware of any trouble signs.
2010 has reviled some real life dark moments as well. The Shrink and his wife committed suicide this year to the shock of many offshore forum viewers especially from EOG. It has been speculated the death is related to some major outstanding gambling debts.
In happier news, sportsbook giants Bookmaker/CRIS have continued to bail out other troubled long-standing books like LasPalmas this year. BetFirstClass has survived without a scratch after its founder was deported to the US to face tax fraud. Many other sportsbooks, touts, webmasters and affiliates are thriving in 2010 even though many thought UIGEA was going to be a death-blow.
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