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Sportsbook Scene, by Buzz Daly
April 22, 2002
Hockey Player's Alleged Offshore Debt Is Explained as Much Ado About Nothing
Call it much ado about nothing, a tempest in a teapot or both, but the final take on our last column that alleged NHL star Jaromir Jagr owed an offshore sportsbook about $500K has a different twist that completely exonerates the hockey player.
It turns out that the betting account opened with Belize-based Carib Sportsbook (www.caribsports.com), had been accessed by someone other than Jagr, who knew nothing about the debt that had accumulated.
A close Jagr associate told us, "This came as a complete shock to Jaromir. I have since contacted Carib and it has been determined that someone apparently gained access using his name. Carib concurs and this is no longer an issue."
We spoke with Carib and the book confirmed that a mutually agreeable accommodation regarding the unauthorized betting activity has been reached.
A Carib spokesman explained that the account was set up as an Internet package, in which phone access was blocked. The sportsbook's software has very sophisticated security governing such accounts, which eliminates the possibility of a ticket writer making an error.
"This account was also blocked from calling up lines on NHL games, or accepting bets on the NHL," said the Carib spokesman. "Higher limit wagers are taken over the Internet for the protection of both the book and the client," he added.
The sportsbook was aware of who the bettor was when the account was opened, and precautions were instituted at that time to preclude any hockey action. "We know the kind of problems that could arise if we knowingly accepted wagers from an athlete on his own sport," the spokesman said, adding that, "There was never any indication of action on the NHL, or even any lines on hockey games being requested, by the account."
Credit accounts for high limit players and celebrities are not uncommon. The book did its due diligence in establishing the relationship and implementing its betting procedures, said the spokesman.
Upon notification of the debt, Jagr's business reps handled it routinely, as they do his other financial transactions. His associate noted that many athletes leave everyday business details to their respective managers.
It wasn't until our column appeared that Jagr heard of the debt and his lawyers took appropriate action. We asked for the identity of the person who created the problem and how he was being dealt with.
The Jagr associate said it is a confidential matter that was being handled internally. "Someone made a mistake, and it has been corrected. End of story."
He emphasized that nothing had ever been done on the Carib account that even hinted at betting on the NHL.
Carib has other high profile individuals betting with it, said the book's spokesman. These players enjoy the convenience of making high limit wagers without a lot of red tape, and they appreciate the promptness with which they are paid. "We're not at liberty to mention any names, because we guarantee absolute confidentiality with all our customers," he stated.
So, Jagr is exonerated from what initially appeared to be a compromising situation, a satisfactory settlement is reached with the sportsbook, and the NHL can rest easy knowing that a Pete Rose-like scandal has been averted.
Kudos to Carib for its enlightened policy of not booking bets from professional athletes on the sports in which they play. We presume other books have similar guidelines.
A sort of saga, worth $1.7 million. Bookmakers love to take parlays because they have such a comfortable edge. But there is always some liability because parlays do hit, and when they do it can put a crimp in a BM's bankroll.
That was the situation an offshore bookmaker found himself in this past Sunday. He no longer runs a book, but services a few private customers with high limits. So, when he booked a $40K six-team parlay which contained four dogs, he shrugged off the potential $1.7 million payoff the bettor would win if all teams covered.
But after five teams had won and the bettor's final play, Lakers -8½, was going down to the wire, our bookmaker was sweating profusely.
With just seconds remaining in the game, the Lakers winning by 8 and running out the 24-second clock, a Laker threw up a shot that went in the hoop.
"I can't believe I just lost $1.7 million," screamed the bookmaker.
It turns out he didn't lose. The basket was disallowed due to offensive interference called on Shaquille O'Neal. Our BM isn't religious, but he characterized the ref's call as divine intervention.
About an hour later, after the final score had sunk in, the bookmaker told us bravely, "Hey, it I lose it's a big hit, but it's not the end of the world." But in his next breath, he revealed his true state of mind. "The game's been over for an hour, and I haven't gone to the bathroom yet. I'm still constipated."
The natives in Motor City are getting restless. Even casual bettors are aware of the ineptitude of Detroit's football and baseball teams. But some classic graffiti illustrates that Philadelphia's reputation for having the toughest supporters is being challenged by Motown.
Terry Foster, in the Detroit News, asks, "Did you hear about the banner on the side of Ford Field?
"It reads, 'GO LIONS'.
"Underneath, someone has added, 'And take the Tigers with you'."
Please send questions, comments, etc., to [email protected].
Sportsbook Scene, by Buzz Daly
April 22, 2002
Hockey Player's Alleged Offshore Debt Is Explained as Much Ado About Nothing
Call it much ado about nothing, a tempest in a teapot or both, but the final take on our last column that alleged NHL star Jaromir Jagr owed an offshore sportsbook about $500K has a different twist that completely exonerates the hockey player.
It turns out that the betting account opened with Belize-based Carib Sportsbook (www.caribsports.com), had been accessed by someone other than Jagr, who knew nothing about the debt that had accumulated.
A close Jagr associate told us, "This came as a complete shock to Jaromir. I have since contacted Carib and it has been determined that someone apparently gained access using his name. Carib concurs and this is no longer an issue."
We spoke with Carib and the book confirmed that a mutually agreeable accommodation regarding the unauthorized betting activity has been reached.
A Carib spokesman explained that the account was set up as an Internet package, in which phone access was blocked. The sportsbook's software has very sophisticated security governing such accounts, which eliminates the possibility of a ticket writer making an error.
"This account was also blocked from calling up lines on NHL games, or accepting bets on the NHL," said the Carib spokesman. "Higher limit wagers are taken over the Internet for the protection of both the book and the client," he added.
The sportsbook was aware of who the bettor was when the account was opened, and precautions were instituted at that time to preclude any hockey action. "We know the kind of problems that could arise if we knowingly accepted wagers from an athlete on his own sport," the spokesman said, adding that, "There was never any indication of action on the NHL, or even any lines on hockey games being requested, by the account."
Credit accounts for high limit players and celebrities are not uncommon. The book did its due diligence in establishing the relationship and implementing its betting procedures, said the spokesman.
Upon notification of the debt, Jagr's business reps handled it routinely, as they do his other financial transactions. His associate noted that many athletes leave everyday business details to their respective managers.
It wasn't until our column appeared that Jagr heard of the debt and his lawyers took appropriate action. We asked for the identity of the person who created the problem and how he was being dealt with.
The Jagr associate said it is a confidential matter that was being handled internally. "Someone made a mistake, and it has been corrected. End of story."
He emphasized that nothing had ever been done on the Carib account that even hinted at betting on the NHL.
Carib has other high profile individuals betting with it, said the book's spokesman. These players enjoy the convenience of making high limit wagers without a lot of red tape, and they appreciate the promptness with which they are paid. "We're not at liberty to mention any names, because we guarantee absolute confidentiality with all our customers," he stated.
So, Jagr is exonerated from what initially appeared to be a compromising situation, a satisfactory settlement is reached with the sportsbook, and the NHL can rest easy knowing that a Pete Rose-like scandal has been averted.
Kudos to Carib for its enlightened policy of not booking bets from professional athletes on the sports in which they play. We presume other books have similar guidelines.
A sort of saga, worth $1.7 million. Bookmakers love to take parlays because they have such a comfortable edge. But there is always some liability because parlays do hit, and when they do it can put a crimp in a BM's bankroll.
That was the situation an offshore bookmaker found himself in this past Sunday. He no longer runs a book, but services a few private customers with high limits. So, when he booked a $40K six-team parlay which contained four dogs, he shrugged off the potential $1.7 million payoff the bettor would win if all teams covered.
But after five teams had won and the bettor's final play, Lakers -8½, was going down to the wire, our bookmaker was sweating profusely.
With just seconds remaining in the game, the Lakers winning by 8 and running out the 24-second clock, a Laker threw up a shot that went in the hoop.
"I can't believe I just lost $1.7 million," screamed the bookmaker.
It turns out he didn't lose. The basket was disallowed due to offensive interference called on Shaquille O'Neal. Our BM isn't religious, but he characterized the ref's call as divine intervention.
About an hour later, after the final score had sunk in, the bookmaker told us bravely, "Hey, it I lose it's a big hit, but it's not the end of the world." But in his next breath, he revealed his true state of mind. "The game's been over for an hour, and I haven't gone to the bathroom yet. I'm still constipated."
The natives in Motor City are getting restless. Even casual bettors are aware of the ineptitude of Detroit's football and baseball teams. But some classic graffiti illustrates that Philadelphia's reputation for having the toughest supporters is being challenged by Motown.
Terry Foster, in the Detroit News, asks, "Did you hear about the banner on the side of Ford Field?
"It reads, 'GO LIONS'.
"Underneath, someone has added, 'And take the Tigers with you'."
Please send questions, comments, etc., to [email protected].
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