Dunes Sports Opening Soon

[Dunes Sports]

By cutting our own checks we mean that we prepare them for mailing. Our banking is located offshore--for obvious reasons. Many sportsbooks pay a contact at the bank or a 3rd party agency to prepare their checks--putting another party in the middle which only serves to delay the process.

One aspect of the business we are currently looking to develop is the bonus/promotion program. What types of bonuses do you as customers like to see offered by a book (reasonableness taken into account here)? Are cash bonuses preferred or do you prefer free wager gimmicks/no juice wagers, etc?

As always--feedback appreciated.

[Boomer]

You guys are already getting credibility by the questions you are answering. That along with your lightning-fast payout schedule will make you successful providing you don't slack off down the road. Consistency is the key here. Many books make their first one or two payouts very quick and then slack off afterward, requiring multiple phone calls and prompting.

In response to your question-asking to give the players what they want, my compliments. The late great San Kinison said it best, "Girls, tell us what you want...WE'LL DO IT!!! That's a highly intelligent way to market a sportsbook.

[mls]

I believe most like a 10% csah bonus. But the rules need to be clearly set out (for example 1x - 5x times play, open account for at least 30 days etc).

When someplace offers a big bonus (say 25% like Players Superbook) I would be very nervous unless they had a 5x play requirement. That gives them enough play to earn back most of the bonus - and I feel better about being paid!

[Boomer]

As long as your asking and since you say you are brand new, I would like to see you offer a 20% cash bonus for maybe the first 250 clients, a 15% cash bonus for the next 250 clients and a 10% bonus thereafter.

This would help you get a initial client base and gave a better bonus to those who took the risk on a brand new book.

As long as you're providing information, what I am more interested in is your capitalization. Are you starting this book with $10,000, $100,000, $1,000,000 or more. This is the only true way to judge a new sportsbook. Will you have enough money to continue doing business if you take a hit.

Now provide that information with proof and I be the first one to post up with you.

[BigMoney]

MOST of us wait until a sportsbook has been successfully operating and paying for a couple of years before sending them our money.

I agree with Boomer that your questions and answers are right on target. But you'll have to come up with another way to reduce the "wait and see" time that most players use. One way would be to reveal (and have someone confirm) the persons backing the book. But in most cases this is not possible for legal concerns.

My 2 cents worth of suggestions are (a) to make your lines available real-time, either on your own web site or on one of the two Don Best feeds; and (b) for heaven's sake don't just copy the lines that everyone else is using.

[Dunes Sports]

We will offer reasonable bonuses--we aren't going to use outlandish tactics to attract customers to use our service. We're not out to give away the farm (who is?!) The guidelines to collecting bonuses will be clearly stated on the website to avoid any potential for confusion as well.

My final question for the time being involves presentation of the web page. We don't want to cram a lot of useless information into the site that no one reads. We've got the site developed and have been pondering over how much to place on the site and how much to let the customer inquire about (how much detail should be given about what a money line is, how to place a wager using the software, etc.)

Any other issues you feel need addressed to offer great customer service (for both phone and Internet purposes) please pass along!

Thank you for all your help.

[BigMoney]

OK, while we're on a roll . . for internet wagering, speed is the key. Take a cue from mostly text-based interfaces such as WSEX, WWTS, CRIS, and Olympic for ease of use and speed. And use a browser-based application (java) that doesn't require the user to download any specific application software.

[Dunes Sports]

Speed is something that has been a key concern when constructing our offices and taking into consideration the type of interface we would like to offer. We are starting out with our own fiber optic connection--we are not sharing bandwidth with anyone--this alone will make a big difference when customers are accessing the site on a busy game day. We don't plan on littering our site with animated graphics that do little or nothing to enhance the customer's enjoyment (beyond initial impression). We want to focus on "usability".

As for our financial status--Boomer--could you be more specific about what you are looking for in the way of "proof" of financial stability? It is certainly a valid concern--but one that must be approached with much caution for legal and privacy reasons. We aren't a public company--therefore do not offer audited financial statements to our customers. If you would like to discuss financial stability issues we would be happy to address those on a more personal basis--please E-mail us privately.

The bonus structure suggested in an earlier reply was a great idea--and one that we are taking serious note of. It allows us to give some incentive to sign up without giving away too much--thanks!!

The bonus

[scott]

Reno: The Dunes Sportsbook was located in the shopping area in the back with a door that opened to the parking lot. Not even close to the casino or poker room. A man named Harry Woods was the mgr. It was a strange opperation and that is nuff said on that subject. I have a parlay card from there in my collection. The Dunes is one of the truly great casinos in Vegas lore. When Steve Wynn blew it up he said good ridence. He is alone in his opinion I'm certain. When I was at Churchill in the early 70's some of the biggest "guys" in the business stayed at the Dunes and we took them off. Talk about action. I still have a couple of close friends left from that situation. There arent many on this sight who even know what the hell I'm going on about or give a **** either. Scotty

[ShiftySheik]

Dunes, This is something I wish other books would add to their software. WSEX has a time stamp on the top of their lines page. It tells the player the last time the page was updated. It's a great time saver. As long as the time stamp doesn't change, there is no need to recheck the lines. It's a great feature and WSEX is the only book that has this.

[Bette Midler]

I agree with BigMoney. If you want to be innovative and attract new business, don't just spoon feed us the same lines coming off the Don Best feeds. That would just make your book another clone, of which there are already too many. If you post up lines that show your willingness to be independent, that will be a big positive in attracting new customers.

I'm not suggesting that you get crazy and not respect a consensus line, but it would be nice if you had you own in-house or independent odds makers who may offer variations from time to time.

[Value_Finder]

Samantha,

I'm interested to hear more about your betting on the run option.
Do you plan to change the prices like WSEX or the lines like british books???
Why do you only offer this option on the phone?? It is a hassle to have to call every 10-20 minutes just to check the line. Even if you plan to put the line on your website I think it's is more effective if we can bet on the net as well.

[Value_Finder]

One more thing, What is your limit phone and internet?

[boris]

any plans to do anything than the Big 4 (yawn) sports?

[Check One]

GREAT THREAD