Do local bookies still exist?

With all the legalized sports betting these days are these guys even still in business? I can’t understand why someone would even use a local except for not having to have the money up front. 

Every state doesn't have legal betting and I lived in Las Vegas for 15 years and there were many successful Bookies in state.When was the last time you tried to make a Steam bet 10 minutes before Kickoff? Never underestimate the ability to make a Bet on Saturday from your bedroom that you don't have to worry about covering until Tuesday...

Sports betting is currently legal in 24 states.  That leaves 26 where it's not.  If guys don't want to go through the "hassle" of betting offshore, the local guys are their only option.  And yeah, just like 666les mentioned, no place other than a local will let you bet without a dime to your name.

The good ones here in NY are doing better than ever despite mobile and brick and mortar sports wagering being legalized...Never underestimate payment plans and or paying the following Friday ..

The legal books here don't take action on NY state colleges ...So Syracuse,  Buffalo etc guy can't bet on their favorite teams ...Nor can we bet on non professional games that are played here ( college basketball tounrmanets etc .) ...

Other local bookies now provide a niche market on High school sports....Huge money involved according to several locals here...

Great post.

I wasn’t really referring to the States where it hasn’t been legalized. I just don’t see why someone would deal with a local bookie if they can run to the Casino and get paid immediately or bet on an app where there are more options etc. in my opinion it’s bad business to accept bets from bums who don’t have the money up front

you mean less.  You clearly haven’t had a good local.  Going to the window in Vegas has nothing on what most locals provide. 

Define app. Locals tend to have most options but many traditional offshores are right there. Then comes brick and mortar casinos and then, waaaaaay back, is your Draft Kings and such. Eventually DK will supplant the William Hills if the world and operate in most brick and mortars. Only a matter of time.

@BIGDTITLE

 Bingo ...One of my locals will take almost anything...High school sports , dog show props ,  local bowling + fishing Tournaments ..Few years back I was betting on the TV show deadliest catch 

@DoubleUp4Life

 Deadliest Catch? Which Greenhorn goes overboard 1st?

Credit accounts is one of the biggest reason along with the potential for your local to offer a discount if you settle early. A local book that I heard about was offering you to settle your weekly debt by buying him motor parts. That local book was a drag racer and agreed to offer a discount if you bought certain auto parts for him with your credit card..

Credit card = delayed payments, minimum monthly payments to feed your sports betting addiction.. 

I need a local in Houston area. Is there anyone on here. 

@Teemancy

 I'll ask around. A lot of my family is in the Houston area and we come from gambling stock. So most will place wagers here and there but I'm the only hardcore sports guy in the bunch. So no guarantees.

@Teemancy

 Sent you a friend request.  

No money upfront needed with a bookie. You can chase your losses Saturday thrrough to the Monday nighter without spending a dime. Until the bookie comes calling the following week. Not very pleasant if you owe and get charged a weekly vig. If you can;t pay that, very unpleasant.

Hey all. Looking for a new local in the ny area. Let me know if anyone can help out

I have 2 locals, about to be 3 if I can get opened with this other guy.  I am in a state which makes it tough to deposit money, and I have had a hard time sending money offshore.  I like my locals, they have never failed me.  Aside from dismissing you if you hit too much, and not having some exotic bet types and really specific player props, and not allowing certain types of parlays......they are really just the same.  I have Apps, numbers to call, its no different.  I don't ever bet the weird stuff that they don't offer anyway.  IE: over, player to get a HR, and K prop all in a parlay.     We just settle on Thursday if I win, Monday if I lose.  Easy peasy.

Other thing I like about my locals, is when a line or situation is clearly happening where you are getting fucked, they will listen to the situation and sometimes help.  FOr example, when all that fuckery was happening with the NBA draft odds, they took the lines down and I couldnt hedge out of the situation, so they were nice enough to cancel out my bets prior to the draft.  Good luck getting a regular book to extend you a courtesy like that.