USA BETTOR CONSTITUTIONAL BILL OF RIGHTS
by GAMBLERSUNITED
USA Sports Betting can turn into the biggest morass, clusterduck you can imagine-- much worse than horse racing has become.
Clueless provincialism, protectionism and overtaxation can rear its ugly head-- and to compensate, the books can be allowed to run rampant vs customers...we could end up with the usual book shenanigans we've seen worldwide.
The next Supreme Court issue in this Industry could well turn out to be for unconstitutional restraint of interstate commerce for instance. The negative possibilities are endless.
We could end up with a thoroughly unusable product: high vig/low max/tiny pools/winners booted, etc.
Even worse, out of state & international books with decent offerings could get aggressively blocked much more than at present.
So, Maybe, we can get something widely disseminated to try and influence things in our favor. We can start a grassroots GamblersUnited organization, travel anywhere to speak to any group...start a website with this, possibly linked to change.org
I am seeking your edits, additions, and whatever other ideas...including whether this all is not a good idea...
GAMBLER BILL OF RIGHTS
PREAMBLE-To all lawmakers and regulators present and future, federal and local:
Sports Betting is NOT a privilege, but an individual citizen's RIGHT! USA is the only major nation left on Earth that has disallowed Sports Betting, the rest of the entire advanced World just can NOT be wrong!Any citizen that is old enough to be drafted into War ought to have the right to decide how to spend his/her hard-earned disposable income. And yes, a minority may overdo it, but similar can be said about alcohol, cigarettes, movies, tv, games, sports, toys, amusement parks, shopping, etc. We can pass laws to limit everything else- killing the economy and turning ourselves into a backward, repressive state.
The Number One Goal for American Sports Betting now must be to allow it to prosper and become the World Leader in the Industry.
We must avoid North American horseracing's negative examples- for one, it's being taxed into oblivion despite a near wagering monopoly; for another, the provincialism and protectionism by individual factions and regions is applying the finishing blow. In contrast, Asian horseracing is done right, offering much higher betting pools and payouts. In your typical casino, the Sports Book is low margin or a loss leader- netting 2-3% profit at best. In fact, the Net Profit percentage-wise is a lot higher from its rival Horse Race Book(despite the downward trend of that sport). The main importance of a Sports Book to a casino is to help create the complete wagering experience and draw more customers that will hopefully participate in other more lucrative(to the casino) games with higher percentage hold.
So, for a standalone Sports Betting operation, its lifeblood must consist of high volume, which is achieved by low percentage taxation and limitless geographical accessibility (for maximum bet pool sizes, payoffs, and thus eventual net profit).
Let's keep the aforementioned in mind, AND the fact many States will compete with each other-- and WORSE-- with already established international behemoths. Excessive taxation will drive action to elsewhere in the World. Some States have passed regulations wanting 36% of the Gross-- that is mathematically impossible: bet $100 on a game in return for a $28 net win(without even factoring labor and other business expenses)? Also, the Professional Leagues are demanding 1% Integrity Fees. With a straight face these entities want half the typical Net Profit of a Sports Book, despite the fact Sports Book action will be driving more attendance and ratings to the leagues. With high taxation & fees, US Sports Books odds prices will be unattractive to bettors, compared to what's already on offer from International Books.
Thereby, we Gamblers United declare that the folowing Basic Tenets- being absolutely necessary for the health of the USA, the Sports Betting Industry and individual citizens- be MANDATORY:
RIGHTS
1. COMPETITION AND COMMERCE SHALL NOT BE LIMITED--
One: Individual US citizens will be allowed to purchase any wagering product lawfully produced in any other State or International Country.
Two: All Sports Books will be allowed and required to provide their service to any American or international citizen regardless of place of residence, as long as betting is not specifically prohibited in their area of residence.
The Typical American corporation exists ONLY because it is allowed to sell its products in all States, as well as internationally.For a negative effect example, let's avoid the plight of Horse Racing- which has in fact, UNCONSTITUTIONALLY RESTRICTED INTERSTATE COMMERCE. Every single racing wagering provider has a list of regions and tracks that it cannot allow wagering from. This has fomented some tracks having very small wagering pools and payoffs- a catch 22 that limits business and causes eventual demise. A similar recent example, that was eventually declared unconstitutional, was in online wine sales: vineyards from some individual states were blocked in other states. To return to the horse racing example, other countries with robust integrity and customer protection laws and regulations provide a better quality product with higher wagering pools and payouts.
2. ALL BETTOR CUSTOMERS SHALL BE ACCEPTED AND TREATED EQUALLY--
Save for special rates and assorted accomodations afforded to large volume customers, no negative repercussion shall be allowed towards any present or potential customer for being too skillfull, often labeled as an Advantage Player. No Sports Book shall be legally permitted to ban or limit any customer for being too skillfull, OR for betting both sides of a match- a practice called Middling or Arbitrage. This includes prohibiting or discouraging in any manner from signing up, closing account without the customer's permission, individually lowering bet limits and/or odds and payouts, disallowing any bet types, inclusion in any negative listing-whether public or private-, delaying or blocking account funds deposits or withdrawals, individually raising funding fees, delaying any match payouts due to alleged suspicious activities ranging from customer betting patterns to possibe match fixing suspicion to customer ID verification after account has already been opened; even to claim of customer betting addiction.
This is not only for the benefit of the customer, a sports book that develops a negative reputation will eventually go out of business, triggering a substantial loss of jobs and revenue to its jurisdiction.
Negative examples abound. Locally, the Nevada casinos' illegal detention(and sometimes violent) measures taken against Blackjack winning players. More widespread, casinos that limit bet amounts of winning players(or just overall losing players on a temporary winning streak)... depending on customer winning or losing streak will lower or increase bet limits and types, strictly for the casino's advantage and the detriment of the player. Other negative measures taken are claiming there is a suspicion of match fixing-- with subsequent freezing of potential payoff(even entire customer bankroll) pending investigation for months and years at a time. As well fund withdrawals can be delayed for months, even held hostage for steep withdrawal fee increases. Another often used tactic is requiring additional customer ID and proof of residence, with subsequent submittals rejected for lack of clarity of the fax or electronic images...this process often drags out from weeks to months to years. Still another is in the area of stopping or limiting wagers- blocking a customer's internet connection and phone call during wager placement.
3. NO ADVERSE ACTION RE ID / RESIDENCE VERIFICATION WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER ACCOUNT HAS BEEN OPENED, FUNDED AND FIRST WAGER ACCEPTED.
Once the first bet is accepted, the customer is considered officially verified. The time to verify ID and banking info is before and whilst account is being opened. If any future unforeseen question or issue should arise, the customer shall have the rights to both have the funds in question deposited in an escrow account and an independent arbitrator or regulatory agent render a decision upon studying the facts.What's occurring now in Europe and Asia is that low scruple Sports Books, to avoid paying, claim to regulators that they have not fully verified ID / residence. The former for being unreadable(they blur it upon receipt), the latter is done with a special code physically mailed and signed off by the local Postmaster(which the Book can lie about having sent). No regulator will help someone unverified(even though they could verify customer ID & residence themselves).
4. PAYOFFS SHALL BE INSTANT UPON OFFICIALLY POSTED RESULT AT END OF REGULATION.
The accepted practice in Horse Racing will also apply to Sports Betting. Payouts will not change in case of future disqualification or match outcome reversal. Once the end of regulation gun or whistle goes off, the result is official and payouts must immediately be available. This Industry benefits when funds are wagered multiple times, not when frozen indefinitely.
5. FUND WITHDRAWAL REQUESTS MUST BE PROCESSED AND SENT WITHIN 24 HOURS, ELECTRONIC REMITTANCES WILL HAVE ANOTHER 24 HOURS IN WHICH TO ARRIVE TO CUSTOMER'S FINANCIAL INSTITUTION 365 DAYS A YEAR.
This means that within 2 days the customer funds will be at his bank or financial wallet verifiably(even if customer's institituion has not distributed funds, it can at least confirm funds are in its possession). Needless to say, Sports Books that can instantly process & send electronic withdrawals will have a great competitive advantage. Ideally, the entire Industry should be set up just like Banks-- with instant electronic deposit / withdrawal and transfer of funds from Book to Book.
6. SPORTS BOOKS SHALL MAINTAIN AND PROVIDE UPON REQUEST TO CUSTOMER AND REGULATORS, INTERNET AND TELEPHONE CALL ACTIVITY LOGS.
Any bettor will thus be able to ascertain that a connection stoppage was not purposely targeting him/her for being too skilfull.
7. FOR WAGERS PLACED IN PERSON WITH A TELLER OR ATM- NO BETTING ACCOUNT SHALL BE NECESSARY, AND ID OR NAME SHALL NOT BE REQUESTED OR RECORDED. NOR FOR ANY PAYOUT, EXCEPT IF IT TRIGGERS IRS REPORTING OR WITHHOLDING.
Racetrack common procedures make for good example. The time to furnish ID is ONLY when the IRS needs it. Otherwise, this is a favorite targeting and tracking tactic of unscrupulous Books that want to INDIVIDUALLY limit maximum bet amount and/or lower payout price to skillful bettors(or just those that overall lose but are on a temporary win streak). This also aids the Sports Book bottom line- less labor needed, more sales / less bets being shut out.
8. SPORTS BOOKS SHALL PUBLICLY AND PROMINENTLY POST AND STATE ACCEPTED MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM BET TYPES AND AMOUNTS, BOTH OVERALL AND EVENT SPECIFIC. AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL A BETTING CUSTOMER INDIVIDUALLY AND/OR INVOLUNTARILY HAVE THEIR MINIMUM BET AMOUNT RAISED OR THEIR MAXIMUM BET AMOUNT LOWERED. NOR BE REFUSED ANY TYPE OF BET OFFERED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
9. CRIMINAL RECORD OR CREDIT HISTORY SHALL NOT BE A BASIS FOR BARRING OR LIMITING ANY PRESENT OR POTENTIAL CUSTOMER.
10. SPORTS BOOKS SHALL NOT MAINTAIN ANY LIST OF SKILLFUL PLAYERS, WHETHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF LIMITING OR BARRING SKILLFUL OR NET WIN BETTORS.
The basic intents of #8, 9 & 10 are to protect individual bettors, prevent Sports Book abuse, and thus maintain a healthy American Sports Betting Industry able to compete against all worldwide competition.Some bettors will Bet for a living, others will be lucky from time to time, and unscrupulous Sports Books can just scour individual player information- searching for any excuse to instigate adverse action solely for boosting the Book's bottom line.
by GAMBLERSUNITED
USA Sports Betting can turn into the biggest morass, clusterduck you can imagine-- much worse than horse racing has become.
Clueless provincialism, protectionism and overtaxation can rear its ugly head-- and to compensate, the books can be allowed to run rampant vs customers...we could end up with the usual book shenanigans we've seen worldwide.
The next Supreme Court issue in this Industry could well turn out to be for unconstitutional restraint of interstate commerce for instance. The negative possibilities are endless.
We could end up with a thoroughly unusable product: high vig/low max/tiny pools/winners booted, etc.
Even worse, out of state & international books with decent offerings could get aggressively blocked much more than at present.
So, Maybe, we can get something widely disseminated to try and influence things in our favor. We can start a grassroots GamblersUnited organization, travel anywhere to speak to any group...start a website with this, possibly linked to change.org
I am seeking your edits, additions, and whatever other ideas...including whether this all is not a good idea...
GAMBLER BILL OF RIGHTS
PREAMBLE-To all lawmakers and regulators present and future, federal and local:
Sports Betting is NOT a privilege, but an individual citizen's RIGHT! USA is the only major nation left on Earth that has disallowed Sports Betting, the rest of the entire advanced World just can NOT be wrong!Any citizen that is old enough to be drafted into War ought to have the right to decide how to spend his/her hard-earned disposable income. And yes, a minority may overdo it, but similar can be said about alcohol, cigarettes, movies, tv, games, sports, toys, amusement parks, shopping, etc. We can pass laws to limit everything else- killing the economy and turning ourselves into a backward, repressive state.
The Number One Goal for American Sports Betting now must be to allow it to prosper and become the World Leader in the Industry.
We must avoid North American horseracing's negative examples- for one, it's being taxed into oblivion despite a near wagering monopoly; for another, the provincialism and protectionism by individual factions and regions is applying the finishing blow. In contrast, Asian horseracing is done right, offering much higher betting pools and payouts. In your typical casino, the Sports Book is low margin or a loss leader- netting 2-3% profit at best. In fact, the Net Profit percentage-wise is a lot higher from its rival Horse Race Book(despite the downward trend of that sport). The main importance of a Sports Book to a casino is to help create the complete wagering experience and draw more customers that will hopefully participate in other more lucrative(to the casino) games with higher percentage hold.
So, for a standalone Sports Betting operation, its lifeblood must consist of high volume, which is achieved by low percentage taxation and limitless geographical accessibility (for maximum bet pool sizes, payoffs, and thus eventual net profit).
Let's keep the aforementioned in mind, AND the fact many States will compete with each other-- and WORSE-- with already established international behemoths. Excessive taxation will drive action to elsewhere in the World. Some States have passed regulations wanting 36% of the Gross-- that is mathematically impossible: bet $100 on a game in return for a $28 net win(without even factoring labor and other business expenses)? Also, the Professional Leagues are demanding 1% Integrity Fees. With a straight face these entities want half the typical Net Profit of a Sports Book, despite the fact Sports Book action will be driving more attendance and ratings to the leagues. With high taxation & fees, US Sports Books odds prices will be unattractive to bettors, compared to what's already on offer from International Books.
Thereby, we Gamblers United declare that the folowing Basic Tenets- being absolutely necessary for the health of the USA, the Sports Betting Industry and individual citizens- be MANDATORY:
RIGHTS
1. COMPETITION AND COMMERCE SHALL NOT BE LIMITED--
One: Individual US citizens will be allowed to purchase any wagering product lawfully produced in any other State or International Country.
Two: All Sports Books will be allowed and required to provide their service to any American or international citizen regardless of place of residence, as long as betting is not specifically prohibited in their area of residence.
The Typical American corporation exists ONLY because it is allowed to sell its products in all States, as well as internationally.For a negative effect example, let's avoid the plight of Horse Racing- which has in fact, UNCONSTITUTIONALLY RESTRICTED INTERSTATE COMMERCE. Every single racing wagering provider has a list of regions and tracks that it cannot allow wagering from. This has fomented some tracks having very small wagering pools and payoffs- a catch 22 that limits business and causes eventual demise. A similar recent example, that was eventually declared unconstitutional, was in online wine sales: vineyards from some individual states were blocked in other states. To return to the horse racing example, other countries with robust integrity and customer protection laws and regulations provide a better quality product with higher wagering pools and payouts.
2. ALL BETTOR CUSTOMERS SHALL BE ACCEPTED AND TREATED EQUALLY--
Save for special rates and assorted accomodations afforded to large volume customers, no negative repercussion shall be allowed towards any present or potential customer for being too skillfull, often labeled as an Advantage Player. No Sports Book shall be legally permitted to ban or limit any customer for being too skillfull, OR for betting both sides of a match- a practice called Middling or Arbitrage. This includes prohibiting or discouraging in any manner from signing up, closing account without the customer's permission, individually lowering bet limits and/or odds and payouts, disallowing any bet types, inclusion in any negative listing-whether public or private-, delaying or blocking account funds deposits or withdrawals, individually raising funding fees, delaying any match payouts due to alleged suspicious activities ranging from customer betting patterns to possibe match fixing suspicion to customer ID verification after account has already been opened; even to claim of customer betting addiction.
This is not only for the benefit of the customer, a sports book that develops a negative reputation will eventually go out of business, triggering a substantial loss of jobs and revenue to its jurisdiction.
Negative examples abound. Locally, the Nevada casinos' illegal detention(and sometimes violent) measures taken against Blackjack winning players. More widespread, casinos that limit bet amounts of winning players(or just overall losing players on a temporary winning streak)... depending on customer winning or losing streak will lower or increase bet limits and types, strictly for the casino's advantage and the detriment of the player. Other negative measures taken are claiming there is a suspicion of match fixing-- with subsequent freezing of potential payoff(even entire customer bankroll) pending investigation for months and years at a time. As well fund withdrawals can be delayed for months, even held hostage for steep withdrawal fee increases. Another often used tactic is requiring additional customer ID and proof of residence, with subsequent submittals rejected for lack of clarity of the fax or electronic images...this process often drags out from weeks to months to years. Still another is in the area of stopping or limiting wagers- blocking a customer's internet connection and phone call during wager placement.
3. NO ADVERSE ACTION RE ID / RESIDENCE VERIFICATION WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER ACCOUNT HAS BEEN OPENED, FUNDED AND FIRST WAGER ACCEPTED.
Once the first bet is accepted, the customer is considered officially verified. The time to verify ID and banking info is before and whilst account is being opened. If any future unforeseen question or issue should arise, the customer shall have the rights to both have the funds in question deposited in an escrow account and an independent arbitrator or regulatory agent render a decision upon studying the facts.What's occurring now in Europe and Asia is that low scruple Sports Books, to avoid paying, claim to regulators that they have not fully verified ID / residence. The former for being unreadable(they blur it upon receipt), the latter is done with a special code physically mailed and signed off by the local Postmaster(which the Book can lie about having sent). No regulator will help someone unverified(even though they could verify customer ID & residence themselves).
4. PAYOFFS SHALL BE INSTANT UPON OFFICIALLY POSTED RESULT AT END OF REGULATION.
The accepted practice in Horse Racing will also apply to Sports Betting. Payouts will not change in case of future disqualification or match outcome reversal. Once the end of regulation gun or whistle goes off, the result is official and payouts must immediately be available. This Industry benefits when funds are wagered multiple times, not when frozen indefinitely.
5. FUND WITHDRAWAL REQUESTS MUST BE PROCESSED AND SENT WITHIN 24 HOURS, ELECTRONIC REMITTANCES WILL HAVE ANOTHER 24 HOURS IN WHICH TO ARRIVE TO CUSTOMER'S FINANCIAL INSTITUTION 365 DAYS A YEAR.
This means that within 2 days the customer funds will be at his bank or financial wallet verifiably(even if customer's institituion has not distributed funds, it can at least confirm funds are in its possession). Needless to say, Sports Books that can instantly process & send electronic withdrawals will have a great competitive advantage. Ideally, the entire Industry should be set up just like Banks-- with instant electronic deposit / withdrawal and transfer of funds from Book to Book.
6. SPORTS BOOKS SHALL MAINTAIN AND PROVIDE UPON REQUEST TO CUSTOMER AND REGULATORS, INTERNET AND TELEPHONE CALL ACTIVITY LOGS.
Any bettor will thus be able to ascertain that a connection stoppage was not purposely targeting him/her for being too skilfull.
7. FOR WAGERS PLACED IN PERSON WITH A TELLER OR ATM- NO BETTING ACCOUNT SHALL BE NECESSARY, AND ID OR NAME SHALL NOT BE REQUESTED OR RECORDED. NOR FOR ANY PAYOUT, EXCEPT IF IT TRIGGERS IRS REPORTING OR WITHHOLDING.
Racetrack common procedures make for good example. The time to furnish ID is ONLY when the IRS needs it. Otherwise, this is a favorite targeting and tracking tactic of unscrupulous Books that want to INDIVIDUALLY limit maximum bet amount and/or lower payout price to skillful bettors(or just those that overall lose but are on a temporary win streak). This also aids the Sports Book bottom line- less labor needed, more sales / less bets being shut out.
8. SPORTS BOOKS SHALL PUBLICLY AND PROMINENTLY POST AND STATE ACCEPTED MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM BET TYPES AND AMOUNTS, BOTH OVERALL AND EVENT SPECIFIC. AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL A BETTING CUSTOMER INDIVIDUALLY AND/OR INVOLUNTARILY HAVE THEIR MINIMUM BET AMOUNT RAISED OR THEIR MAXIMUM BET AMOUNT LOWERED. NOR BE REFUSED ANY TYPE OF BET OFFERED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
9. CRIMINAL RECORD OR CREDIT HISTORY SHALL NOT BE A BASIS FOR BARRING OR LIMITING ANY PRESENT OR POTENTIAL CUSTOMER.
10. SPORTS BOOKS SHALL NOT MAINTAIN ANY LIST OF SKILLFUL PLAYERS, WHETHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF LIMITING OR BARRING SKILLFUL OR NET WIN BETTORS.
The basic intents of #8, 9 & 10 are to protect individual bettors, prevent Sports Book abuse, and thus maintain a healthy American Sports Betting Industry able to compete against all worldwide competition.Some bettors will Bet for a living, others will be lucky from time to time, and unscrupulous Sports Books can just scour individual player information- searching for any excuse to instigate adverse action solely for boosting the Book's bottom line.
