Jeff, What Are The Minimum Requirements??

[chestrockwells]

Here's one that I've never really understood. As the number of offshore books keeps increasing, what do you guys at BWorld look at as "minimum" requirements for inclusion on "the list" or to advertise, for that matter.

The other part of the question is this............Jeff, you made a reference in your discussion of the NAB situation, that you had known the principals for I believe 6 or so yrs. Has NAB been around that long? And if not, then where is the line drawn on "newer operations"? As an example, let's say you have 2 individuals that run a well known and respected book for 20 yrs. One buys the other out. The guy that got bought out, or forced out or whatever starts a "new book" today. Does he get on the list based on his previous 20 yr unblemished record??

I'm not trying to pick on you or your list, and I might be totally off base here...............but it seems to me that with the exception of Aces Gold, most of the books that have had problems are ones that "appear" on recommended lists on the different sites, because of some "previous" accomplishments under a different business. Aladdins, Dunes, Caribi, etc. come to mind. It seems that these outfits opened up, got on everyones recommended lists pretty damn quickly & then had problems and sailed into the sunset...............all in pretty short order. And then I look at the list, and I see some other books that have been there forever without any problems. Am I totally off base on this??

Dan

[Jeff]

You bring up a valid point with valid examples. Perhaps too much weight is given to the fact that someone has been around the industry for several years in another capacity.

In the case of NAB, it was two thirds of the former Skybook, a book that had been around for many years and had never not paid a customer.

The theory being not only the experience they brought to the table but the contacts. A bookmaker who's been around for many years, with roots in the NYC area, generally has the means to get cash should a bad situation arise.....which I wouldn't rule out at this point, as I've been made aware of at least one player who is now on a payment plan and recived his first significant payment already.

The only solution to the list problem you speak of, that I can see, would be to attach dates to the books. IE Been in business offshore since 1993 (carib) been on the list since.......etc

But that of course isnt the perfect solution either. Aces started not long after wsex and other big name books......

As I look at the books on the top of this page, I see the most well known group of sportsbooks in this industry. Considering there are hundreds and hundreds of offshore books out there, thats saying something.

But if there are books up there that anyone feels doesn't belong, then please speak up. There are a couple of guys that routinely bring concerns to my attention, chestrockwells being one of them. No concern will go ignored. I can be reached by phone, email or posting forum. We can call the book and do a 3 way conversation to address the concern if need be.

In this unregulated enviroment, it's communication that will help the process, and we seem to have gotten away from that. I would hope more people would get involved in posting their experiences and contacting me personally with their concerns.

[email protected]

[STEVE TURNER]

What a good question by the Rock. Also a very good answer by Jeff of BW. I don't think there is a real answer for minimum" requirements for inclusion on "the list" or to advertise, for that matter. Why? What if Bill Gates opened an off-shore book tomorrow? Would I have confidence to play there? you-bet-cha.

I think a bigger problem today is people in the know not posting when they get slow paid. When a book starts to slow play a customer, many of them try to work out a payment plan so the book won't get bad publicty and can keep the cash flow coming so they can get paid. I know its a very 'tuff' decesion for the player. But the only this forum will work is if we post at any slow play problem.

[Jeff]

Steve,

you're right on the money. That's always been the catch 22. Players don't want to come forward and jeopardize their payments.

That's also why I believe the method of simply removing a book from the list without explanation, fanfare or chest pounding is the best way to go.......

[chestrockwells]

I guess the main problem that I see is that we all have the tendency to "extend" the benefit of the doubt beyond the 1 or 2 or however many individuals that are truly what may make or break a book.

Using Steve's example, we would certainly all agree to open up with a book headed by Bill Gates.................but how far does the confidence extend. Meaning, what if it wasn't Bill, but rather the #2 at Microsoft or the #100th guy? Microsoft is a massive company , so obviously the success & credibility extends beyond one person.................but in the case of offshores, who is to say that the success, credibility, honesty or "the money" for that matter, may not start & end with the #1 man? Sure, there are success stories as well, but for the safety of the players, I would think that all the above ought to be kept in mind in the future.

As for players not posting re problems, I really don't see how there can be a winning situation.