costa rica

[Cons]

What's wrong with disclosing a books' location. To me, a book is like a bank, and I certainly keep as much money in my bank accounts as I do in my sportsbooks accounts.

Any books that wants to hide anything instantly raises suspicions. They should all be open about any sort of general info (ie location). All my outs happen to be "top" places, of utmost safety, all of which I can trust as much as my local bank.

[AussieVamp2]

Cons,

I agree. If I don't know where it is, and can't go there/find it, why should they have any of my money?

'Hiding' as such would seem to be the bailiwick of the illegal bookmaker in the USA, which is of course understandable. So, it is either dodgy, or they are worried about some sort of publicity or US type harassment if on one of the little islands?

[chance_of_rain]

I have heard that books in Antigua pay a $100,000 license fee, I assume to dissuade fly-by-night operations. Does anyone know if the same is true in Costa Rica?

[Cons]

I think the $100,000 thing is insignificant to say the least. If someone sets up an operation with the aim of stiffing people, the $100,000 will not stand in the way.

What should be mentioned though is the strong standpoint of the Antiguan government when it comes to wagering. They will not bow down under pressure, and will protect the interests of the numerous books based on the island.

[nickles]

Cons,i don't think 100k could ever be considered insignificant. i ithink it says alot that a book would be willing to pay that kind of fee, especially when there are other jurisdictions that don't require anything..if i were going to stiff people i certainly wouldn't pay 100k to do it...

[STING]

Regarding Antigua, The Free Trade Zone is not exactly quick to respond when there's a complaint sorry to say.

Unfortunately, they are now getting lax and I'm sure our friends to the left are not happy with a few of the more recent licensees that have come about.

Also, it's not about having something to HIDE from the betting public. They are hiding from the hypocrites in the US Government - the same one's trying to put Jay Cohen behind bars. They have every reason not to want to be seen or have their location disclosed. Hope this helps.

[reno]

Although I have never been to Antigua or dealt with the Antiguan government, I am sensing that greed and complacency may be escalating.

From what I understand--and someone correct me if I'm wrong--the Antiguan government wants to start taxing sportsbooks. Apparently, the $100,000 licensing fee is not enough for them; they want a cut of the profits.

Laying a new tax on sportsbooks AFTER they have spent mega-bucks to establish their business reeks of extortion. But what else would one expect from government? Government is the ultimate business. Their right to create new taxes gives them, in effect, a license to "steal" from legitimate businesses.

And as Sting points out, the Antiguan government has become lax in maintaining the high standards previously established.

I have just finished reading "Unlimited Access," a book by an FBI agent assigned to the Clinton White House. According to this book, Bubba Clinton epitomizes corrupt government. He lives just like Dire Straits: "Money for nothing and chicks for free." Apparently, the Antiguan government
is a Bubba wannabe.

[STING]

Talks of taxation is a concern of sportsbook operators there though from what I understand this is only TALK right now and nothing is in concrete.

It would be stupid on the government's part and you can bet the books (all of which are friendly with one another) WILL start looking elsewhere. I'm doubtful that they would attempt to tax the books.

Intertops has already studied Australia for reasons other than tax issues, though I think those plans have since fallen through.

Curacoa I understand is hungry for the industry and looking to repair its tarnished reputation. If one Antiguan book outside of Intertops should leave, you will see the others follow...I am sure of it. St. Kitt's and Nevis are also looking to get into this lucrative business.

Costa Rica is the Wild Wild West of sportsbooks - now host to the most. A number of the books that operate there are so well-entrenched that location is not an issue but you'll find just as many if not more rotten apples operating from that country. License, insurance, means nothing in Costa Rica. The country is friendly towards sportsbooks and Americans. It DOES mean something in Antigua, but again....that may no longer be the case.

Venezuela has the books there running scared as you see a few of them relocating to Belize in Central America, which should also become a haven for sportsbooks in the next two years or so.

[Chester]

Well said Reno, I tip my hat to you and could not agree more. That kind of fits with the old saying..."So sayeth the chief"...But do as I say not as I do.

[Cons]

Yeah, government is the strongest mafia around. Nickles, if I was going to open up shop and stiff people I would especially pay the $100,000 to do so. You get more "credibility" and lots more accounts opened up. The $100,000 would soon look like a very good investment.

Antigua, or not, the Caribbean doesn't offer any safety with regards to location. Australia seems like the place to go, or some of the European tax/havens.

[STING]

as an fyi, still waiting for the Antiguan Free Trade Zone to get back to me about a complaint I have and still nothing from them after 3 days.

I'm convinced they had a good thing going, brought in some great books at the start, and now it these same books that are maintaining the integrity of that island nation. Without them, I'm not so sure I would place Antigua on a pedestal any more.

Things change over the years and GREED does play a major part. Part of the willingness to pay that $100,000 if I'm not mistaken has to do with the assurance that complaints will be resolved and the notion that there is some degree of self-regulation by the government. With perhaps the exception of one case, The Antiguan government has not yet had to flex their muscles since 1996 due to the quality of the books that have chosen to reside there.

I do feel that the $100,000 is a deterrent, especially since it was my understanding that books applying for the license MUST be able to show that they have a history of financial stability. Also, they are yet to be tested BUT I would think that the $100,000 could be used to pay off any delinquencies to clients. That's in theory....Whether that would ever happen or not is something that may one day be explored.

Here is the problem that I have: These software companies that ARE licensed out of Antigua; are the sportsbooks they license their software out to claiming to be licensed in Antigua? SOME ARE. And I'd like to know if THEY are paying the $100,000 fee?

My opinion is Why pay the $100,000 a year if the government is NOT abiding by the set standards expected by such fine books as WWTS, Post Time, World Sports Exchange and a hand full of others. These operations WOULD be better off moving to Costa Rica and saving some overhead if that's the case, plus Antigua is not known for having the best phone service and bandwidth as far as I know...and I believe that is rather expensive as well.

Outside of Antigua, which is becoming all the more questionable: The Isle of Mann and Australia are seem to have some regulatory function that does not yet look to be corrupted by greed.

[AussieVamp2]

A lot of the spivs that look to be in these small island places though would not get a look in in Europe, Australia, etc., we suspect

[STING]

actually on the contrary, Betmaker will be opening an office on the Isle of Mann shortly and I suspect a number of others will soon follow suit.

[AussieVamp2]

Sting, I said spivs

Are you calling Betmaker.com spivs and unreliable, I wasn't

will make the bandwidth out of that little island even worse then I guess