I guess that everyone knows by now about the US Senate passing legislation over the weekend forbidding American banks and credit card companies from processing payments to online wagering sites. People who believe that the earth is 6,000 years old should not be allowed to be Presidents, Senators, and Congressmen. I'll have more to say about this later. In brief, I think that were will be plenty of workarounds that will allow Americans to continue to wager online.
In response to the internet wagering ban, Bet365 is closing their American accounts. If Pinnacle folds under pressure, then it's over. Only the scammer books will remain. Is this what Congress wanted? Remember when Republicans were all about financial responsibility, limited government, and individual liberty? Now they're spending like mad, reading your email, and outlawing your hobbies.
There are still several high-quality online books (Greek, Bodog, CRIS, BJ, WSEX) still open for Americans. Several of the big names (WH and Lad for example) have long been closed to us. Pinnacle (a great book) chickened out of the American market recently because of the Neteller arrests. The trick is funding the accounts. There are ways.
I don't understand the real reason behind the government's action. This only drives gamblers to local bookies which are probably connected to organized crime. So you take an industry that was served by licensed, regulated, public companies and drive it underground. This makes sense how? Maybe they are clearing the way for US operators, but the reality is if the big companies like Harrahs was to launch a gambling site, it would put 98% of existing online operations out of business. Only the really big ones like PokerStars, Bodog, CRIS, and a couple others would survive. Who would you trust, Harrahs or some no-name-who-knows-where-and-what website on some little island in the middle of nowhere? The current poker craze was fueled to a great part by online poker. It gave people fantasies of taking $2 and winning the WSOP. So I doubt land based casinos really wanted this crackdown. From a cash flow perspective, they could track the money going to NEteller. They knew who owned and operated it since it was a public company. Now sites are using third party processors in Dubai. Good luck tracing that. Who's really behind this and what do they benefit?
Good post. On the surface, it appears that the GOP "family values" agenda had a lot to do with this legislation, but it even goes deeper than that. The only outlet for legal sports gambling in the US is through bricks and mortar sportsbooks in Las Vegas. They want to keep it that way. Remember who Jack Abramoff was working for? The bill he was pushing in Congress banned online poker, sports wagering, and casino games. Interestingly, exemptions were carved out for state lotteries and horse racing. But even if online gambling was legalized in the US, there would still be room for the no-name books in a field of big-name casino operators. If gamblers think the juice is too high, they'd stick with low-juice books like Pinnacle.
I was always of the opinion that you can't legislate against stupidity. If someone is of a mind to gamble themselves into homelessness they'll find a way to fcuk up regardless of any laws....Here in Texas its possible to buy enough weaponery to start a war in central america but you can't put $10.00 down on a sporting bet. Recently I was in England for my mothers funeral (stayed at my brothers house in Southport) the day after the funeral I walked around the corner to the local "Turf Accountants" placed a few small bets on that evenings EPL games (mostly correct score doubles) and a few bets on the afternoons televised horse racing....went back to the house, fixed a sandwich and a couple of beers and watched the racing.....had a very enjoyable afternoon then in the evening went with my brother and his daughters to the "local" to watch the football.....After the emotion of my mothers funeral I found it the perfect way to unwind, ended up 35 pounds sterling ahead, and am now back in Puritanical America. I did leave a few quid with my brother and he now places my bets for me....at least he will until the money runs out....not sure this is relative, just thought I'd share it.
So, if one attempts to fund a Bodog account with a US credit card, and it goes through, does it later invalidate the funding and thus any action played on the account?
I doubt that you could get an American bankcard to go through anyway. Once your deposit is made, I can't imagine a scenario that would invalidate it. It's getting your winnings back that's the challenge.
well, it looks like my credit card went through. it has posted to my cc account and my bodog account. i quadrupled my deposit last night by playing craps and blackjack and then have since quadrupled that amount on betting on hoops. (who says parlays are sucker bets?). do you have any reccommended startegies for recouping fudns?
Wow! You got a credit card transaction approved and you made money? Some guys have all the luck. If you deposit, win big, and withdraw quickly without leave some to play with, most books will drag their feet on the payout. I'd request either a check or a Western Union money transfer. Since there are hefty fees with the WU transfer, I'd stick with the check method as long as you can wait a couple of weeks for the transaction to be processed. Good work.