Seriously, Is Online Gambling even worth it for American posters ?

[hawley]

Good to see this thread turn into a pissing contest.

[gangeriver]

vyomguy, I think you right maybe US is a wrong country. Actually betting is not so easy out of US. All I know that France government dealed with 17 different books a few years ago.These books servicing offically and nobody may use other books in France. betfair and pinnacle are not in the 17! so a lot of high class books stop servicing to French customers. On the other hand there are high taxes in scandinavian countries and Switzerland. Online betting prohibited in Turkey altough Turkish people use the online books, their situation looks like americans.

Except UK, there are tons of restriction but at least euro people make deposit and get paid easly beacuse each book offer 10-15 different payment and payout methods. prepaid cards, gift cards, wire, virtual CC ,e-wallets...even some of books may send your money to your CC.
I'm sorry for stupid question but can't understand why off-shore books don't use b. wire option for American customers? (only sportsbetting.ag offers) They can't send money as a book but should send as a person. also offshhore books should offer alternative payout and deposit methods to American customers IMO

[jjgold]

If you are one of those guys who has $25 in his pocket, sends it offshore, and hits a 4 team teaser at 3-1, then wants to withdrawal his $100 to take the wife out to dinner and buy some new mudflaps for his truck --- then no, it isn't worth it.

If you want to put $300+ in a book and try to run it up for a 4 figure amount and then withdrawal it -- then yes it is worth it.

End of thread

[rthoughton]

i like sbr points. like fantasy gambling. workin up to that iPad2 or PS3. i got no problem playing for fun, not losing anything, and potentially getting cool shit, without all of the headache.
Maybe someday America wont be so faggy.

[crjohnson32]

bottom line....if you like gambling online, smoking pot, legalized prostitution, and free health care, move to Canada

There's never been a better time to gtfo of the states

[RubberKettle]

Its not worth it anymore.

My CC does not work on 5Dimes anymore and I hate to send money through ** or what ever service the strawberry pickers are using these days.

If I go bust or need to deposit to renew my pro in February I will figure it out.

To many problems, slow payouts and risk of book foreclosure/ not servicing Americans anymore makes it almost pointless for the recreational player to deposit.

[Scooter]

zsr - " no baby limits like offshore"

Amusing.



zsr - "...no worrying that your money isnt safe."

A serious and credible player on one of the non-rec. forums stated that he knows of 2 sportsbettors who were robbed recently leaving sportsbooks. Tell them that their money is safe.

About 9 months ago 2 different people reported being followed leaving the Plaza sportsbook.

A friend who plays poker was followed on 2 different occasions leaving the Mandalay Bay poker room.

Etc.

Most incidents are not reported in the forums, and certainly not in the Vegas press.
Las Vegas is the hardest hit major city by the financial downturn, and there is lots of desperation out there.

Add to that winning and being escorted out of the casino by a phalanx of security guards, being arrested by Gaming and/or Metro PD on phony charges, extremely limited range of sports and betting options being offered, time consuming traveling from book to book in 110 degree heat, horrible future odds at most books, -110 juice, dwindling number of outs due to book consolidation, etc., etc.

There are positives and negatives. It's not the Holy Grail of sportsbetting.

[Nickelicious]

Vegas may not be the Holy Grail of sports betting, but it is far and away the best option for American gamblers, especially for recreational gamblers, which is what the vast majority of people on this board are. There are about 70 sports books in Vegas and I don't think any one of them is going to give a crap if you win $300 to $1,000 a week betting sports (especially when you'll also be suffering the losing weeks every gambler experiences).

I'm not a pro, never will be a pro, and rarely post on this forum anymore after making a go of serious online gambling for about a year a few years ago. But I do enjoy gambling and have done it recreationally on and off for about 30 years (mostly in Vegas, but lately it's been blackjack and poker in Tunica, Mississippi). I'm not good enough (and don't have the time) to make it as a pro sports bettor, but when I retire in 15 years I'll give serious consideration to moving to Las Vegas just so I can have fun. As long as I don't bet more than $500 on a few games every week, I don't expect to have any issues with any sports book no matter how much I win. Chances are, I will give more than I take.

When you add up all the positives and negatives, online gambling in the U.S. is just a major pain in the ass, which was obviously the point vyomguy was making when he started this thread. If the U.S. government ever legalized and regulated online gambling in this country, you can bet the major Vegas casinos would instantly become key players in the marketplace, and I would instantly embrace them. But that's not likely to happen anytime soon.

Short of that, the only way to enjoy relatively risk-free and convenient recreational sports gambling in the U.S. is by doing it the state of Nevada. Of course, I'm only speaking for myself. I know there are U.S. players here who have refined their online gambling procedures down to science and have virtually no issues with risk or hassles, but I can't imagine ever joining their ranks.

If I see you in Vegas in 2025, I'll put up a sawbuck for some pie-in-the-sky parlay we put together over a round of beer and laughs. And if we somehow win the bet, we can count on collecting our cash from the Hilton or the Bellagio.

[delpiero7]

Not entirely sure of all the laws regarding gambling in other countries, but it is pretty sweet in the UK - at the moment. No taxes to pay on any winnings, unrestricted in terms of which books you can use to place wagers etc.

Must drive US players potty that there are so many restrictions being put in place for online gambling.

[GoWings]

I mainly agree with OP, when I started playing poker and betting sports online in 2003 it was so easy. We had netteller, huge sign-up and re-up bonuses, competition was very poor it was just really really easy to deposit/withdraw and make a killing. Now it's a complete drama to do either and the competition is way better in poker and books are way sharper and quicker to limit/boot you at the first sign you're halfw-ay sharp. It really is night and day compared to what it used to be just under a decade ago. It's really a shame what happened. I wish I would have just grinded night and day back then but I took it for granted

[jason1971]

only play with a good book and you will get paid

[thezbar]

For the cost of going to Vegas I can have a free deposit in an A rated book. No brainer for me.

[jjgold]

Holy Grail of sportsbetting is still offshore
It always will be

Vegas is ok but you need to know how to use books there

[diggler420]

bottom line....if you like gambling online, smoking pot, legalized prostitution, and free health care, move to Canada

There's never been a better time to gtfo of the states

this

[John Dough]

Wow, this thread is brutal!

It is worth it for some, both recreational and professional, and not worth it for others. There's no one correct answer that applies to everyone. There are too many variables, risk/reward differs from person to person, etc.

And for those posters who feel committing tax evasion is no big deal, you're free to live your life however you see fit, but I sure as hell couldn't live comfortsbly knowing I'm committing a fairly serious crime year after year. To each his own.

[Hareeba!]

only play with a good book and you will get paid

the issue isn't just getting paid

one of the posts in the live payouts thread today reports more than 5% withdrawal fee ..... tough to make a profit if you have to cop that on top of probably some cost of depositing

[5mike5]

been worth it for me for the last 13years...never had a payment hiccup and still havent even after the last few years...until i dont get paid or even start having problems getting paid, it will definatley be worth it to me

[zsr]

...

[gregm]

How can anyone compare betting online with betting through a local? The variety of lines and variety of different wagers available online, the amount of sports right at your fingertips are incredible,I think alot of people on here are in their 20s and havent experienced gambling without online gambling.

If I had to bet with a local I would probably only put a little bit of money down on the nfl and the major sports, I certainly wouldn't be betting alot of tennis handicaps in minor tourneys ,golf, props, irl, nascar, team totals, first five inning unders,h/r/e props, etc., they are all at your fingertips when you are online.

[zsr]

How can anyone compare betting online with betting through a local? The variety of lines and variety of different wagers available online, the amount of sports right at your fingertips are incredible,I think alot of people on here are in their 20s and havent experienced gambling without online gambling. If I had to bet with a local I would probably only put a little bit of money down on the nfl and the major sports, I certainly wouldn't be betting alot of tennis handicaps in minor tourneys ,golf, props, irl, nascar, team totals, first five inning unders,h/r/e props, etc., they are all at your fingertips when you are online.

not talking about a local, but with vegas your money is safe. No denying you have many more options online, but offshore books can leave the U.S. market anytime. Limits online are also much lower. If your not in the U.S. then pinnacle and the greek are much better than a local.

[zsr]

zsr - " no baby limits like offshore" Amusing. zsr - "...no worrying that your money isnt safe." A serious and credible player on one of the non-rec. forums stated that he knows of 2 sportsbettors who were robbed recently leaving sportsbooks. Tell them that their money is safe. About 9 months ago 2 different people reported being followed leaving the Plaza sportsbook. A friend who plays poker was followed on 2 different occasions leaving the Mandalay Bay poker room. Etc. Most incidents are not reported in the forums, and certainly not in the Vegas press. Las Vegas is the hardest hit major city by the financial downturn, and there is lots of desperation out there. Add to that winning and being escorted out of the casino by a phalanx of security guards, being arrested by Gaming and/or Metro PD on phony charges, extremely limited range of sports and betting options being offered, time consuming traveling from book to book in 110 degree heat, horrible future odds at most books, -110 juice, dwindling number of outs due to book consolidation, etc., etc. There are positives and negatives. It's not the Holy Grail of sportsbetting.

Scooter, your ignorance is amazing. Simply put, your just flat out wrong on every point your trying to make, have you ever even been to vegas? Vegas IS the holy grail of sports betting if your in the United States.. where else are you going to play? With a local and get stiffed? Of course people get robbed in vegas, people get robbed everywhere. I wonder how many people have been robbed walking out of wal-mart after cashing there max P2P transfer? I bet its more than you think. There's -110 juice at every single online book. Quite grankly i wouldnt expect any less ignorance for someone who refers to himself in the third person, on a forum. Please get into a pissing match with someone else, thanks.

[wildemu]

bunch of pussies in here. If you truly want to gamble, there is always a way. Get your ass off the computer chair and do a wire or cashier's check, or even **/**.

to answer the question, YES IT IS WORTH IT.

[Scooter]

zsr - "The line shifting half a point doesnt mean shit..."

"no baby limits [in Las Vegas] like offshore"

"There's -110 juice at every single online book."


'nuff said.

[zsr]

Lol done with this internet ego contest.

[Hareeba!]

bunch of pussies in here. If you truly want to gamble, there is always a way. Get your ass off the computer chair and do a wire or cashier's check, or even **/**.

to answer the question, YES IT IS WORTH IT.

well if your sole motivation is to gamble perhaps it is

but you're doing very well if you can actually turn a sufficient profit after accounting for all the costs, hassles and delays - and that's the motivation for playing for many of us

[Nickelicious]

I feel better knowing I can walk into a sports book and cash a ticket and then walk out of a sportsbook with a thicker wallet, all within 5 minutes. You just can't do that online.

[Ca$hfloW]

I used to play at 5dimes and I hated how withdraw went, local is the only way to go I believe but that is only one opinion.

[HotCapper25]

Although i haven't read a lot of complaints, i assume maybe the majority of complaints come from the guys that have like 40,000-$90,000 sitting in an offshore book. in that case, i think they deserve to have their money taken, i would NEVER put that amount of money in an offshore account unless i knew the people personally, flew there, researched, etc. even then, don't give somebody your money like that, crazy!

Also, a big part may include those people that play 10 team teasers and hit them for $40,000 and the book shys away.

I think the biggest dilema for online play is balancing the money in the account vs. the money you withdraw, as time goes on u want to leave as much money in there to win with if u are very succesful, but u eventually need this money to spend, pay bills, etc. or what is the point of having it?

And the issue with getting beat up in the parking lot, i mean, what is this fifth grade? Scooter, i don't know all the details but i believe that poker players have a higher chance of something like this happening because a) u are taking someone elses money, not the house & b) they may have suspected this guy of hustling them with a friend.

I haven't ever played in vegas but is it always cash they give u? I mean, they don't ever issue a check or deposit into ur bank account?

[HotCapper25]

This may sound stupid, but if they would just accept Paypal for deposits and withdrawls like the rest of the online world that would make things so much easier!

[5mike5]

Although i haven't read a lot of complaints, i assume maybe the majority of complaints come from the guys that have like 40,000-$90,000 sitting in an offshore book. in that case, i think they deserve to have their money taken, i would NEVER put that amount of money in an offshore account unless i knew the people personally, flew there, researched, etc. even then, don't give somebody your money like that, crazy!

Also, a big part may include those people that play 10 team teasers and hit them for $40,000 and the book shys away.

I think the biggest dilema for online play is balancing the money in the account vs. the money you withdraw, as time goes on u want to leave as much money in there to win with if u are very succesful, but u eventually need this money to spend, pay bills, etc. or what is the point of having it?

And the issue with getting beat up in the parking lot, i mean, what is this fifth grade? Scooter, i don't know all the details but i believe that poker players have a higher chance of something like this happening because a) u are taking someone elses money, not the house & b) they may have suspected this guy of hustling them with a friend.

I haven't ever played in vegas but is it always cash they give u? I mean, they don't ever issue a check or deposit into ur bank account?

i totlly agree with what u say here...managing the amount u leave offshore AND what u withdrawl is key...theres no point in leaving huge balances in the offshore books when u can just withdrawl the excess and spend it on things and just leave in what u need to gamble 3 or 4 weeks at a time...no point in playing unless u withdrawl most of the winnings IMO

[HotCapper25]

they would probably be more likely to pay u if u took it in small chunks considering the books want u to keep playing so u will give it back.

Maybe if they see u trying to cut and run they stall?

[byronbb]

bottom line....if you like gambling online, smoking pot, legalized prostitution, and free health care, move to Canada

There's never been a better time to gtfo of the states

I'm sitting in Canada looking at Mexico

[pavyracer]

It's dead for Americans. I can't use my bank account or CC's to fund any accounts and if I ever manage to fund them again I have no idea how to get paid. With the FBI monitoring all illegal gambling and banking activities I'm not going to risk going to jail for a few hundred bucks. I fly to Vegas now and make big bets on games I like and also make sure the money stays in the US and doesn't go towards 3rd world countries which hate America.

[Hareeba!]

This may sound stupid, but if they would just accept Paypal for deposits and withdrawls like the rest of the online world that would make things so much easier!

I'm sure they all wish they could but Paypal, just like Moneybookers, Neteller and US banks are not permitted to send funds to books on account of US citizens.

[byronbb]

Vegas may not be the Holy Grail of sports betting, but it is far and away the best option for American gamblers, especially for recreational gamblers, which is what the vast majority of people on this board are.

Right so for the average American gambler he should move to vegas over playing online at 5dimes or Bookmaker.