All Forums | Gaming Industry - US

A Message to Users Contacting Local Bookies

...
Participants:
Search model icon
Views: 24348
Posts: 66
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2001
Posts: 4487
Posted: #1
Please read the following message from Covers.com:

It is opinion of Covers.com that online sports gambling is an activity that should be legalized and regulated in America as it is in most progressive first-world countries. Regulation would provide a path for Americans to safely wager online without being in contact with members of the criminal underworld. Revenues generated from licensing and regulation could be used for any number of positive social uses from paying down the deficit, to fighting poverty, to fighting addiction, to providing additional health care for the many former athletes who are suffering from debilitating health issues stemming from their careers.

It is our strong belief that sports gambling is an activity that will continue to thrive regardless of the laws imposed by any short-sighted politicians, as it has for decades. Countless studies have shown that Americans bet billions of dollars each year on sports, and the numbers continue to increase. In short, Americans are going to bet on sports, they are going to continue betting on sports, and the total amounts bet by Americans is going to continue growing.

The American government needs to decide whether it wants the dual benefit of collecting revenues while allowing honest American citizens to practice their hobby safely online with licensed and regulated companies, or whether it wants to instead force those citizens to begin dealing with unlicensed individuals who might also be associated with organized crime.

Currently, it appears the American government has made its choice and that is to side with the criminals.

Recent actions by the American government have made it exceedingly difficult for honest Americans to safely practice their hobby of sports betting online with licensed companies operating legally in regulated foreign jurisdictions. Therefore, many honest American citizens have been forced into the underground economy in order to simply continue practicing the otherwise harmless activity of wagering a few dollars on a sporting event. 

And one of the results is a large increase in the number of posts we see in this forum with people requesting contact with local bookies.

It is a sad state of affairs. Instead of safely placing money into a prepaid account with a licensed and regulated operation, American sports bettors must now seek out a local bookmaker and will likely also begin wagering on credit, which can easily start a pathway towards being a victim of extortion and loan-sharking.

Covers.com now finds itself between a rock and a hard place. Simple reality tells us that people are going to bet on sports and therefore need bookies. On the other hand, we certainly do not want any of our users finding themselves in any kind of danger that might arise from being in contact with criminals.

Therefore, we are going to be frequently encouraging our users to read the following information before posting any forum threads requesting contact with local bookies:

Bookmaking is an activity that is considered illegal by the American government, and therefore anybody seeking contact with a local bookmaker will almost certainly end up in contact with somebody who is breaking American laws.

Covers.com does not recommend that any of our users participate in any illegal activity or maintain any contact with any individuals who operate or participate in any illegal activity. As a sports bettor, that's a surefire way to get yourself betting on credit, which can end up really badly for you if you get in over your head and find yourself owing money to a criminal organization.

We do not wish to see or hear any stories of our honest users getting entangled with organized crime and possibly ending up in any kind of trouble, legal or otherwise.

Likewise, we wouldn't recommend that any bookmakers reply to any requests for contact by any users of this forum. How do you know that these guys are not undercover cops? Sooner or later you will get entrapped by one of these guys and you'll end up going down and bringing a lot of your friends and associates with you. Is that a smart choice? Do you really need the business that bad? 

Therefore, Covers.com does not condone or recommend the use of this forum to facilitate the practice of initiating contact between our users and any bookmakers or agents operating illegally in the United States. Any posts requesting direct contact between users and local bookmakers will be locked and/or edited immediately, if not deleted outright.

Instead, we strongly encourage you to browse our Where To Play list, and investigate the companies listed that are still willing to do business with Americans. That being said, we understand that the American government is actively trying to limit your ability to gamble safely online and you might be feeling as if you have no alternative other than finding a local bookie. We just don't recommend it.

Sincerely,
Covers.com

 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2011
Posts: 176
Posted: #2
Well said Lou  , I think most of us find ourselves between that rock and a hard place. I think the easiest alternative would be to allow the land based casinos which seem to be in almost every state of some sort to allow sports gambling to be placed at these casinos but I am not at all confident that will ever happen and perhaps if its legal covers  can sponsor more daily contest on this forum for us to safely enjoy our pastime. We will see what the furture holds.  thanks Ray
 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: Jun, 2011
Posts: 227
Posted: #3
Quote Originally Posted by Lou:

Please read the following message from Covers.com:

It is opinion of Covers.com that online sports gambling is an activity that should be legalized and regulated in America as it is in most progressive first-world countries. Regulation would provide a path for Americans to safely wager online without being in contact with members of the criminal underworld. Revenues generated from licensing and regulation could be used for any number of positive social uses from paying down the deficit, to fighting poverty, to fighting addiction, to providing additional health care for the many former athletes who are suffering from debilitating health issues stemming from their careers.

It is our strong belief that sports gambling is an activity that will continue to thrive regardless of the laws imposed by any short-sighted politicians, as it has for decades. Countless studies have shown that Americans bet billions of dollars each year on sports, and the numbers continue to increase. In short, Americans are going to bet on sports, they are going to continue betting on sports, and the total amounts bet by Americans is going to continue growing.

The American government needs to decide whether it wants the dual benefit of collecting revenues while allowing honest American citizens to practice their hobby safely online with licensed and regulated companies, or whether it wants to instead force those citizens to begin dealing with unlicensed individuals who might also be associated with organized crime.

Currently, it appears the American government has made its choice and that is to side with the criminals.

Recent actions by the American government have made it exceedingly difficult for honest Americans to safely practice their hobby of sports betting online with licensed companies operating legally in regulated foreign jurisdictions. Therefore, many honest American citizens have been forced into the underground economy in order to simply continue practicing the otherwise harmless activity of wagering a few dollars on a sporting event. 

And one of the results is a large increase in the number of posts we see in this forum with people requesting contact with local bookies.

It is a sad state of affairs. Instead of safely placing money into a prepaid account with a licensed and regulated operation, American sports bettors must now seek out a local bookmaker and will likely also begin wagering on credit, which can easily start a pathway towards being a victim of extortion and loan-sharking.

Covers.com now finds itself between a rock and a hard place. Simple reality tells us that people are going to bet on sports and therefore need bookies. On the other hand, we certainly do not want any of our users finding themselves in any kind of danger that might arise from being in contact with criminals.

Therefore, we are going to be frequently encouraging our users to read the following information before posting any forum threads requesting contact with local bookies:

Bookmaking is an activity that is considered illegal by the American government, and therefore anybody seeking contact with a local bookmaker will almost certainly end up in contact with somebody who is breaking American laws.

Covers.com does not recommend that any of our users participate in any illegal activity or maintain any contact with any individuals who operate or participate in any illegal activity. As a sports bettor, that's a surefire way to get yourself betting on credit, which can end up really badly for you if you get in over your head and find yourself owing money to a criminal organization.

We do not wish to see or hear any stories of our honest users getting entangled with organized crime and possibly ending up in any kind of trouble, legal or otherwise.

Likewise, we wouldn't recommend that any bookmakers reply to any requests for contact by any users of this forum. How do you know that these guys are not undercover cops? Sooner or later you will get entrapped by one of these guys and you'll end up going down and bringing a lot of your friends and associates with you. Is that a smart choice? Do you really need the business that bad? 

Therefore, Covers.com does not condone or recommend the use of this forum to facilitate the practice of initiating contact between our users and any bookmakers or agents operating illegally in the United States. Any posts requesting direct contact between users and local bookmakers will be locked and/or edited immediately, if not deleted outright.

Instead, we strongly encourage you to browse our Where To Play list, and investigate the companies listed that are still willing to do business with Americans. That being said, we understand that the American government is actively trying to limit your ability to gamble safely online and you might be feeling as if you have no alternative other than finding a local bookie. We just don't recommend it.

Sincerely,
Covers.com


Good post and wise words. I'd never seen a forum where people would go out looking for a bookie online. It seemed to me that it would make it pretty easy for law enforcement to identify bookies if all they had to do was put up a "Looking for bookie in...." thread.

If I was a bookie, and some son of a bitch put my name out there, even in a PM, I'd be fairly pissed.
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Jun, 2010
Posts: 1460
Posted: #4
Instead, we strongly encourage you to browse our Where To Play list, 

 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: Jul, 2011
Posts: 149
Posted: #5
Quote Originally Posted by raywapuzzo:

Well said Lou  , I think most of us find ourselves between that rock and a hard place. I think the easiest alternative would be to allow the land based casinos which seem to be in almost every state of some sort to allow sports gambling to be placed at these casinos but I am not at all confident that will ever happen and perhaps if its legal covers  can sponsor more daily contest on this forum for us to safely enjoy our pastime. We will see what the furture holds.  thanks Ray



I don't know about where you live at, but the casinos in my local area all work with local bookies.  Most of the card dealers have a local bookie to place bets with.  I know at least 5 card dealers that bet over their head and seek out some loan sharks, and is slowly paying off their debts.

Can't blame the bookies/loan sharks, the customers are the ones to be blamed.  They don't want to post up with a reputable online book because a lot of them are shot takers that'll only bet with a credit line.  You even see idiots on covers.com begging for a credit line here.  It's pretty common.  Most of these losers are shot taking stiffs that's unemployed and living in mommy and daddy's basement.  A lot of them think they can get away with running away after they lose a large amount of money.  But 95% of the time a bookies/loan sharks WILL find their asses and make them pay up in a timely fashion. 


 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2011
Posts: 176
Posted: #6
Well said Edison5354 but the key message in my statement is that it would have to be legal like vegas so i can only bet what I put up as cash first  . credit does only lead to chasing which your right gets us all in trouble    Peace my Brother.
 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2011
Posts: 176
Posted: #7
Lou if fantasy sports is legal why cant we have daily fantasy sports contest where we put up 10  or 20 bucks  through pay pal like Fan duel does .  It would definately cure my itch for atleast some action to make watching my games more interesting
 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: Jul, 2011
Posts: 149
Posted: #8
Quote Originally Posted by raywapuzzo:

Well said Edison5354 but the key message in my statement is that it would have to be legal like vegas so i can only bet what I put up as cash first  . credit does only lead to chasing which your right gets us all in trouble    Peace my Brother.


I'm not saying only stiffs would beg for a credit line.  There are plenty of seriously players that bet 5 figures each week and has to use a weekly credit line.  Bookies don't just give 5 figure weekly credit lines to just anybody.  They carefully screen the whale customers and do a background check on them.  Such as finding out where they work, live, hang out at, getting a profit and loss report of their business or copies of their paycheck. 
 
Covers Linesmen
Participation Meter
Joined: Feb, 2001
Posts: 87445
Posted: #9

Quote Originally Posted by raywapuzzo:

Lou if fantasy sports is legal why cant we have daily fantasy sports contest where we put up 10  or 20 bucks  through pay pal like Fan duel does .  It would definately cure my itch for atleast some action to make watching my games more interesting

You hear that Lou.....cough, cough....ahem...ahem......

 
All-Star
Participation Meter
Joined: Mar, 2004
Posts: 14413
Posted: #10

agree Lou. I remember when I played with a local book payday was always the day after Monday night football.  If you were down going into Monday you had to pick a winner between 2 3-8 teams to attempt to get even. lolol

Funds up front is always the better way to go to not get hurt badly.

 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2008
Posts: 371
Posted: #11
if you want to bet on sports and dont want to worry about your funds go to vegas
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: Jun, 2011
Posts: 87
Posted: #12
or just get a local
 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: Jan, 2010
Posts: 218
Posted: #13
Quote Originally Posted by Lou:

Please read the following message from Covers.com:


Instead, we strongly encourage you to browse our Where To Play list, and investigate the companies listed that are still willing to do business with Americans.
Sincerely,
Covers.com

 

Yes that Covers recommended online book list worked out real well for the BetED customers.

 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: Jul, 2011
Posts: 149
Posted: #14
Quote Originally Posted by MightyFury2k11:

or just get a local


Come on now, nobody wants to use a stiff bookie like you.  And your mickey mouse site, xxxxxxxxxx, sucks! 

Go away, stiff wannabe bookie!
 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: Jun, 2011
Posts: 227
Posted: #15
Quote Originally Posted by buxwin:

 

Yes that Covers recommended online book list worked out real well for the BetED customers.


Ok, so let's have a close look at this post.

It says that you should investigate the companies listed that are still willing to do business with Americans. Inherent in that statement, in fact screaming out from it for anybody who has been paying attention to what's going on since 2006, is that these companies aren't only being investigated by punters, they are being investigated by the American police and the American police may seize their money.

I don't see where it says "Covers recommends these online books". It strongly encourages the reader to "investigate" these companies. If Covers was recommending them, there is nothing to investigate. That's what a recommendation is for, it saves you the trouble of investigating. It's not a guarantee an illegal US serving operation won't get busted.

That's the reality for anyone who lives in America and can't figure out how to get around the problems that creates.
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Jun, 2010
Posts: 1460
Posted: #16
Quote Originally Posted by PaddyMacR:


Ok, so let's have a close look at this post.

It says that you should investigate the companies listed that are still willing to do business with Americans. Inherent in that statement, in fact screaming out from it for anybody who has been paying attention to what's going on since 2006, is that these companies aren't only being investigated by punters, they are being investigated by the American police and the American police may seize their money.

I don't see where it says "Covers recommends these online books". It strongly encourages the reader to "investigate" these companies. If Covers was recommending them, there is nothing to investigate. That's what a recommendation is for, it saves you the trouble of investigating. It's not a guarantee an illegal US serving operation won't get busted.

That's the reality for anyone who lives in America and can't figure out how to get around the problems that creates.

yeah but you'd think covers would at least even in the slightest try to acknowledge who's safest or who's best

instead of out right whoring themselves out to the highest bidder
 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: Jun, 2011
Posts: 227
Posted: #17
Quote Originally Posted by SnotBoogy:


yeah but you'd think covers would at least even in the slightest try to acknowledge who's safest or who's best

instead of out right whoring themselves out to the highest bidder

Fair enough. Personally, I think the big issue is the three day Super Bonus scam. Not saying Covers is responsible for that, in fact I'm sure if Covers were the real owners that would never have happened. Chump change really. But still, that is a matter of character of Wright and Parchomchuk, and I guess, in a Harry Potter idealistic kind of way, perhaps owners character should be one of the criteria weighed to name a Number 1 book. 

Whoever did it needed a relatively small amount of money quickly. Not Covers, possibly not Calvin. Your garden variety crooks.

There certainly is nothing stopping a number 1 book from getting busted. In fact, I'd say any book designated no. 1 by Covers has amplified US law enforcement interest on it if it serves Americans. I see the No. 1 book now doesn't serve Americans. 

 
 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: Jan, 2010
Posts: 218
Posted: #18
Quote Originally Posted by PaddyMacR:


Ok, so let's have a close look at this post.

It says that you should investigate the companies listed that are still willing to do business with Americans. Inherent in that statement, in fact screaming out from it for anybody who has been paying attention to what's going on since 2006, is that these companies aren't only being investigated by punters, they are being investigated by the American police and the American police may seize their money.

I don't see where it says "Covers recommends these online books". It strongly encourages the reader to "investigate" these companies. If Covers was recommending them, there is nothing to investigate. That's what a recommendation is for, it saves you the trouble of investigating. It's not a guarantee an illegal US serving operation won't get busted.

That's the reality for anyone who lives in America and can't figure out how to get around the problems that creates.

 

Okay it does not say "recommended" it says "Where to Play".  Regardless, the covers "where to play" list worked out real well for th BetED players. For Covers to even suggest to use this list after what happened to the BETed players (#1 on their list) is absurd.  Try to keep you nose out of Lou's ass for a second and consider the absurity of any covers rep suggesting that anyone even consider their list of paid advetisiers, as a source of legitimate books.  I would recommend running in the opposite direction of this list.

 

 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2001
Posts: 4877
Posted: #19
I won a $25 freeplay from the NBA beat lou contest and I was never even paid for that.
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Nov, 2006
Posts: 1165
Posted: #20
Quote Originally Posted by SnotBoogy:

Instead, we strongly encourage you to browse our Where To Play list, 



!!
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Aug, 2010
Posts: 3283
Posted: #21
Quote Originally Posted by Lou:

Please read the following message from Covers.com:

It is opinion of Covers.com that online sports gambling is an activity that should be legalized and regulated in America as it is in most progressive first-world countries. Regulation would provide a path for Americans to safely wager online without being in contact with members of the criminal underworld. Revenues generated from licensing and regulation could be used for any number of positive social uses from paying down the deficit, to fighting poverty, to fighting addiction, to providing additional health care for the many former athletes who are suffering from debilitating health issues stemming from their careers.

It is our strong belief that sports gambling is an activity that will continue to thrive regardless of the laws imposed by any short-sighted politicians, as it has for decades. Countless studies have shown that Americans bet billions of dollars each year on sports, and the numbers continue to increase. In short, Americans are going to bet on sports, they are going to continue betting on sports, and the total amounts bet by Americans is going to continue growing.

The American government needs to decide whether it wants the dual benefit of collecting revenues while allowing honest American citizens to practice their hobby safely online with licensed and regulated companies, or whether it wants to instead force those citizens to begin dealing with unlicensed individuals who might also be associated with organized crime.

Currently, it appears the American government has made its choice and that is to side with the criminals.

Recent actions by the American government have made it exceedingly difficult for honest Americans to safely practice their hobby of sports betting online with licensed companies operating legally in regulated foreign jurisdictions. Therefore, many honest American citizens have been forced into the underground economy in order to simply continue practicing the otherwise harmless activity of wagering a few dollars on a sporting event. 

And one of the results is a large increase in the number of posts we see in this forum with people requesting contact with local bookies.

It is a sad state of affairs. Instead of safely placing money into a prepaid account with a licensed and regulated operation, American sports bettors must now seek out a local bookmaker and will likely also begin wagering on credit, which can easily start a pathway towards being a victim of extortion and loan-sharking.

Covers.com now finds itself between a rock and a hard place. Simple reality tells us that people are going to bet on sports and therefore need bookies. On the other hand, we certainly do not want any of our users finding themselves in any kind of danger that might arise from being in contact with criminals.

Therefore, we are going to be frequently encouraging our users to read the following information before posting any forum threads requesting contact with local bookies:

Bookmaking is an activity that is considered illegal by the American government, and therefore anybody seeking contact with a local bookmaker will almost certainly end up in contact with somebody who is breaking American laws.

Covers.com does not recommend that any of our users participate in any illegal activity or maintain any contact with any individuals who operate or participate in any illegal activity. As a sports bettor, that's a surefire way to get yourself betting on credit, which can end up really badly for you if you get in over your head and find yourself owing money to a criminal organization.

We do not wish to see or hear any stories of our honest users getting entangled with organized crime and possibly ending up in any kind of trouble, legal or otherwise.

Likewise, we wouldn't recommend that any bookmakers reply to any requests for contact by any users of this forum. How do you know that these guys are not undercover cops? Sooner or later you will get entrapped by one of these guys and you'll end up going down and bringing a lot of your friends and associates with you. Is that a smart choice? Do you really need the business that bad? 

Therefore, Covers.com does not condone or recommend the use of this forum to facilitate the practice of initiating contact between our users and any bookmakers or agents operating illegally in the United States. Any posts requesting direct contact between users and local bookmakers will be locked and/or edited immediately, if not deleted outright.

Instead, we strongly encourage you to browse our Where To Play list, and investigate the companies listed that are still willing to do business with Americans. That being said, we understand that the American government is actively trying to limit your ability to gamble safely online and you might be feeling as if you have no alternative other than finding a local bookie. We just don't recommend it.

Sincerely,
Covers.com

please lou.
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Oct, 2003
Posts: 1992
Posted: #22
I also agree with Lou but with the state of online books getting more problematic when it comes to funding accounts is it any wonder why players are going the old local bookie route. I know most of the money goes to organized crime but that's what happens when our govt makes a stupid decision to ban the online books to US players that this problem exists. My solution is it that all the online books like Betfair, William Hill and other British books should thumb their noses at the US govt. and allow American players to sign up. If the US justice dept. wants to sue them they should go the route of the books in Costa Rica and Jamaica and sue the US in trade court. So lets get some balls Betfair and let US players sign up and see what would happen. 
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: Feb, 2011
Posts: 502
Posted: #23

Good post josbran. You were incorrect on one point though. Certain chickenshit books like Pinnacle and bet365 chose to stop taking action from US customers. The US government didn't ban them because the US government has no authority whatsoever over a gaming company located in a sovereign territory. These companies chose to exit the US market which was a stupid decision.

All of the books should have publicly told the US government to go fuck themselves and continued to do business as usual and there isn't a damn thing the US can do about it. Nothing. It's time the rest of the world started to stand up to the US government and push back when they're pushed.

 
Legend
Participation Meter
Joined: Mar, 2011
Posts: 30818
Posted: #24
Quote Originally Posted by lovesoccer:

Good post josbran. You were incorrect on one point though. Certain chickenshit books like Pinnacle and bet365 chose to stop taking action from US customers. The US government didn't ban them because the US government has no authority whatsoever over a gaming company located in a sovereign territory. These companies chose to exit the US market which was a stupid decision.

All of the books should have publicly told the US government to go fuck themselves and continued to do business as usual and there isn't a damn thing the US can do about it. Nothing. It's time the rest of the world started to stand up to the US government and push back when they're pushed.

That looks good on paper, not in the real world, I agree but  impractical 
 
 
Legend
Participation Meter
Joined: Mar, 2011
Posts: 30818
Posted: #25
Quote Originally Posted by MightyFury2k11:

or just get a local
That's SICK dude.avatar
All Forums | Gaming Industry - US
About Us
Contact Us
Careers
Our Team
Brand
Testimonials
Betting Guides
Sportsbook Reviews
Sports Betting News
Podcasts
Responsible Gaming
Sports Betting
US Betting Sites
Canada Betting Sites
Canada Casinos
Best Betting Apps
Contests
Streak Survivor
King of Covers
Ultimate Race
Office Pools
The Covers community has
618,670
lifetime members worldwide
Covers 25 Years Logo Established in 1995,
Covers is the world
leader in sports
betting information.
Site Map Help Privacy Terms of Service youtube logo facebook logo twitter logo instagram logo linkedin logo google news logo
Covers is verified safe by: Evalon Logo GPWA Logo GDPR Logo GeoTrust Logo Evalon Logo
Copyright © 1995 - 2024 CS Media Limited All Rights Reserved.

If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so.It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly.Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality.Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it.As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.