Tweet
BoDog
CLICK HERE!!
BoDog: An Interview with Rob Gillespie, Gaming Operations Manager and Seasoned Sportsbetting Veteran
The sportsbetting industry’s foremost insider and author of From the Frontlines series, a behind the scenes look at the sportsbetting industry.
Bettorsworld has developed a a great and mutually beneficial relationship with BoDog Sportsbook and Casino and is proud to have had the chance to speak with Rob Gillespie, Operations Manager, as a part of our Sponor Interview Series.
Since being conceived in 1995 as the first Internet-based sportsbook in Costa Rica, by its owners, eSportz, BoDog has emerged from the pack to become the number-one rated sportsbook and casino operation in the world in all of the industry's most critical sectors. With BoDog's popularity and stature now widely acknowledged, the company's history and development is considered by many to be the prototype for success in the industry.
BWorld: BoDog has managed to amass an enormous Internet presence in a relatively short amount of time (something companies would spend ten years or more trying to achive). The company obviously has a very aggressive marketing strategy. What preparations has BoDog made for football season? Do you anticipate a marked increase in business?
RG: We have made extensive upgrades in preparation for this season. The biggest would be a major upgrade to our Wager Center. We have dramatically upgraded our phone system and made improvements to speed up the interface clerks use to place wagers. We are also in the process of doubling the size of our Wager Center staff. All these changes will ensure phone bettors will be able to get their play in each and every time.
We have also doubled our staff in Accounting and improved the accounting software so deposits and payouts will all be processed with lightning speed.
The Customer Service team has also grown so all players will benefit from increased speed in processing deposits, payouts, wagers, questions, etc. (Click here to see staff photos)
With all these improvements and a strong reputation in the industry, we anticipate a big jump in handle this season.
BWorld: BoDog has been in business for quite some time, but has only recently become one of the most well-known books on the Internet. How did you achieve this presence and can we have a hint to the secrets of your success?
RG: There are no secrets here. Build a better sportsbook and bettors will beat a path to your door. We have worked hard for the last 7 years to improve all aspects of our operation and it is starting to pay dividends now. Our own players are the largest source of new business as they are confident enough in the quality of operation to recommend us to their friends and family. (Click here for more information on BoDog)
BWorld: What do you think of the recent crackdowns by the credit card companies on Internet Gaming charges? Do you consider this fair considering that most card companies still accept charges for other questionable Internet services? Has this hurt your business at all?
RG: I am against any policy, by business or government, that dictates how I can spend my own money (with limits of course). However, I understand they are in a tough position with regulators, shareholders, etc. applying pressure. It will get worse before it gets better, but I think the US is on the verge of joining the worldview that gambling is just another form of entertainment. Credit card rejections do make things a little more difficult but there are still lots of other options for players so the overall effect has been minimal. I would expect that casino sites would suffer more as this is more of an impulse business but sports bettors are good planners.
BWorld: With PayPal starting to phase out gambling payments, what is BoDog going to focus on to ensure the future of the post-up business?
RG: We think our unique Direct Bank Transfer system is the wave of the future. It has grown steadily in popularity since we introduced it and it can’t get any simpler than funds being transferred to or from your account. We are always working hard to provide new methods of payment and I expect that there will soon be new ways available that we can’t even imagine right now. Plus, there is always Bank Wire and Western Union. It takes us back to where we started. (Click here to find out more about Direct Bank Transfer)
BWorld: What do you think are going to be major betting trends this upcoming season based on the last couple of seasons’ downturns? Do you have any new wagering opportunities or contests to attract the football fan?
RG: We haven’t seen any downturns the last couple of seasons. In fact, the opposite has been true. First Half, Halftime and moneyline wagering on football has grown steadily over the past few seasons and I would expect this trend to continue. We introduced quarter lines for the playoffs and they were very popular as well so we will now offer these for all NFL games. We have also created a dedicated Props department so bettors will now find hundreds of props to choose from every week.
BWorld: You set your own lines, in other words you don’t clone from other books or a lines feed. How do you feel about the growing concern that line cloning could be a big reason for books suffering unrecoverable losses?
RG: It is amazing to me how different the action can be at different books. If we used someone else’s lines, we would basically give up control of our profit/loss. If Book 1 has a lot of players in LA and Book 2 has a lot of players in New Jersey, how can they both balance action with the same line on a Nets-Lakers game? Nobody knows our players and thus our betting trends better than we do and so we have to make our own lines. Sure we consult other sources, but ultimately it is the knowledge of our own player base and the goal to balance action that drives line moves. I don’t know if line cloning is the reason books are struggling, but it may be an indicator of weak management, which is a key reason books fail.
BWorld: Laying off is another big topic. Does BoDog engage in this practice, and do you prefer to be as balanced as possible or do you side with the public? Is this policy the same across the board for all sports?
RG: We don’t lay off action in any sport although we do seek to balance each and every event. It is my view that a well-run book doesn’t have to lay-off action if they are taking bets they can afford to pay.
BWorld: Although baseball is usually a slower time of the year for most sports books, BoDog has actively marketed specials and your column in order to spice things up a little bit. Has this has an effect on increasing the amount of action?
RG: Our baseball handle is up significantly from past seasons and we are doing very well. The joke around here is “nobody told our players it is the slow season”. Improved product offering and efficient marketing are the main reasons.
BWorld: What do you think about baseball’s recent announcement about financial troubles and teams not being able to finish the season? Has the press about overblown salaries, steroid use, etc. hurt the game (from a betting standpoint and from a fan’s standpoint)? Would you still consider baseball America’s pastime?
RG: I don’t think baseball has been America’s pastime for a long time. I think the pace of the game is too slow for the MTV generation and this is a more important issue than team revenues or steroids. However, there is hope yet. Ticket prices in other sports are becoming too high for the average family and baseball could become the last bastion for a family sports outing. If all games could be played in 2.5 hours with more to see and do between pitches, innings, etc. we stand a chance of getting our kids more interested and restoring the glory of the game. For the near future though, football is king.
BWorld: For a new player just coming on board with you, what do you recommend to help them become familiar with the site and wagering on the Internet in general? Can you give them some tips about things should they look for when playing football (point spreads vs. moneylines, parlays and teasers, etc.).
RG: Our site is pretty easy to figure out. If a person can use a mouse, they can bet. To become familiar with the industry, players should spend a couple of hours every week reading everything they can at sites like yours. There are hundreds of theories out there and occasionally one will fit in with your own personal views and abilities. I talk about some of these theories in my From the Frontlines articles (click here to find all of Rob’s articles). If you aren’t sure about your own theory, track your plays in a spreadsheet (or on paper) instead of using real money.
BWorld: You keep a good profile with the Internet community by doing your columns, which are very well received by everyone. How do you come up with the topics for these articles?
RG: I get suggestions from our book managers, Customer Service staff and from my readers. I have compiled dozens of suggestions and eventually I will get to them all…hopefully.
BWorld: What’s your opinion on regulated and quasi-regulated vs. completely laissez-faire jurisdictions like Costa Rica?
RG: This has been a hot topic lately. These so-called regulated jurisdictions have done nothing to prevent books operating there from stiffing players when they go under. If there is no protection, what is the advantage? Costa Rica offers better technology, a better labor pool and a more stable government than any of the nearby regulated or quasi-regulated jurisdictions. It is for this reason alone that Costa Rica has more sportsbooks than all of these other jurisdictions combined. As (BoDog owner) Cole Turner says, there is a reason unregulated jurisdictions have fewer failures – competition is more intense so players, not local governments, are deciding the fate of books. There is one thing and one thing only that will determine the health of a Sportsbook, the quality of the management and in unregulated environments the good ones will thrive and create value for the players and the bad ones will wither. In regulated environments, especially when they are forced to compete with unregulated ones with there lower cost base as is the case on the Internet, the weak are propped up artificially and the implosions are therefore that much bigger when they eventually come down and all the while the value of the product is less for the most important guys in the whole process, the players! All the evidence points to the fact that Player value is enhanced with an independently verifiable wagering product like sports in an unregulated environment with market forces (the players) shaping the organizations.
BWorld: Who builds your software?
RG: We are the only totally vertically integrated operation in our industry. All of our development is done in-house and this gives unprecedented flexibility, speed and originality in our offerings. No one buying off the shelf software is able to compete with us.
BWorld: Where do you see BoDog in this industry now?
RG: We see BoDog as the largest and best on the Internet channel, and gaining fast on the voice channel. But more importantly, because of our close relationship with eBanx, we can also offer the fastest payouts and widest variety of deposit methods in the industry. Our service is unparalleled when it comes to your money. (To learn more about BoDog, visit http://www.gambling-online-wagering.com/)
This establishment is a must-have out for football season. With the combination of their bookmaking expertise, to their highly trained and efficient customer service statff, to their technological expertise, you can't go wrong. Combine that with a rock solid financial history and you are playing with the cream of the crop!
Got a question for Rob? Email him your questions or Frontlines subscribe requests at rob@bodog.com or click here to learn more about Rob Gillespie.
Call 1-888-263-0000 to get info on joining BoDog, or go directly to http://www.bodog.com
BoDog: An Interview with Rob Gillespie, Gaming Operations Manager and Seasoned Sportsbetting Veteran
The sportsbetting industry’s foremost insider and author of From the Frontlines series, a behind the scenes look at the sportsbetting industry.
Bettorsworld has developed a a great and mutually beneficial relationship with BoDog Sportsbook and Casino and is proud to have had the chance to speak with Rob Gillespie, Operations Manager, as a part of our Sponor Interview Series.
Since being conceived in 1995 as the first Internet-based sportsbook in Costa Rica, by its owners, eSportz, BoDog has emerged from the pack to become the number-one rated sportsbook and casino operation in the world in all of the industry's most critical sectors. With BoDog's popularity and stature now widely acknowledged, the company's history and development is considered by many to be the prototype for success in the industry.
BWorld: BoDog has managed to amass an enormous Internet presence in a relatively short amount of time (something companies would spend ten years or more trying to achive). The company obviously has a very aggressive marketing strategy. What preparations has BoDog made for football season? Do you anticipate a marked increase in business?
RG: We have made extensive upgrades in preparation for this season. The biggest would be a major upgrade to our Wager Center. We have dramatically upgraded our phone system and made improvements to speed up the interface clerks use to place wagers. We are also in the process of doubling the size of our Wager Center staff. All these changes will ensure phone bettors will be able to get their play in each and every time.
We have also doubled our staff in Accounting and improved the accounting software so deposits and payouts will all be processed with lightning speed.
The Customer Service team has also grown so all players will benefit from increased speed in processing deposits, payouts, wagers, questions, etc. (Click here to see staff photos)
With all these improvements and a strong reputation in the industry, we anticipate a big jump in handle this season.
BWorld: BoDog has been in business for quite some time, but has only recently become one of the most well-known books on the Internet. How did you achieve this presence and can we have a hint to the secrets of your success?
RG: There are no secrets here. Build a better sportsbook and bettors will beat a path to your door. We have worked hard for the last 7 years to improve all aspects of our operation and it is starting to pay dividends now. Our own players are the largest source of new business as they are confident enough in the quality of operation to recommend us to their friends and family. (Click here for more information on BoDog)
BWorld: What do you think of the recent crackdowns by the credit card companies on Internet Gaming charges? Do you consider this fair considering that most card companies still accept charges for other questionable Internet services? Has this hurt your business at all?
RG: I am against any policy, by business or government, that dictates how I can spend my own money (with limits of course). However, I understand they are in a tough position with regulators, shareholders, etc. applying pressure. It will get worse before it gets better, but I think the US is on the verge of joining the worldview that gambling is just another form of entertainment. Credit card rejections do make things a little more difficult but there are still lots of other options for players so the overall effect has been minimal. I would expect that casino sites would suffer more as this is more of an impulse business but sports bettors are good planners.
BWorld: With PayPal starting to phase out gambling payments, what is BoDog going to focus on to ensure the future of the post-up business?
RG: We think our unique Direct Bank Transfer system is the wave of the future. It has grown steadily in popularity since we introduced it and it can’t get any simpler than funds being transferred to or from your account. We are always working hard to provide new methods of payment and I expect that there will soon be new ways available that we can’t even imagine right now. Plus, there is always Bank Wire and Western Union. It takes us back to where we started. (Click here to find out more about Direct Bank Transfer)
BWorld: What do you think are going to be major betting trends this upcoming season based on the last couple of seasons’ downturns? Do you have any new wagering opportunities or contests to attract the football fan?
RG: We haven’t seen any downturns the last couple of seasons. In fact, the opposite has been true. First Half, Halftime and moneyline wagering on football has grown steadily over the past few seasons and I would expect this trend to continue. We introduced quarter lines for the playoffs and they were very popular as well so we will now offer these for all NFL games. We have also created a dedicated Props department so bettors will now find hundreds of props to choose from every week.
BWorld: You set your own lines, in other words you don’t clone from other books or a lines feed. How do you feel about the growing concern that line cloning could be a big reason for books suffering unrecoverable losses?
RG: It is amazing to me how different the action can be at different books. If we used someone else’s lines, we would basically give up control of our profit/loss. If Book 1 has a lot of players in LA and Book 2 has a lot of players in New Jersey, how can they both balance action with the same line on a Nets-Lakers game? Nobody knows our players and thus our betting trends better than we do and so we have to make our own lines. Sure we consult other sources, but ultimately it is the knowledge of our own player base and the goal to balance action that drives line moves. I don’t know if line cloning is the reason books are struggling, but it may be an indicator of weak management, which is a key reason books fail.
BWorld: Laying off is another big topic. Does BoDog engage in this practice, and do you prefer to be as balanced as possible or do you side with the public? Is this policy the same across the board for all sports?
RG: We don’t lay off action in any sport although we do seek to balance each and every event. It is my view that a well-run book doesn’t have to lay-off action if they are taking bets they can afford to pay.
BWorld: Although baseball is usually a slower time of the year for most sports books, BoDog has actively marketed specials and your column in order to spice things up a little bit. Has this has an effect on increasing the amount of action?
RG: Our baseball handle is up significantly from past seasons and we are doing very well. The joke around here is “nobody told our players it is the slow season”. Improved product offering and efficient marketing are the main reasons.
BWorld: What do you think about baseball’s recent announcement about financial troubles and teams not being able to finish the season? Has the press about overblown salaries, steroid use, etc. hurt the game (from a betting standpoint and from a fan’s standpoint)? Would you still consider baseball America’s pastime?
RG: I don’t think baseball has been America’s pastime for a long time. I think the pace of the game is too slow for the MTV generation and this is a more important issue than team revenues or steroids. However, there is hope yet. Ticket prices in other sports are becoming too high for the average family and baseball could become the last bastion for a family sports outing. If all games could be played in 2.5 hours with more to see and do between pitches, innings, etc. we stand a chance of getting our kids more interested and restoring the glory of the game. For the near future though, football is king.
BWorld: For a new player just coming on board with you, what do you recommend to help them become familiar with the site and wagering on the Internet in general? Can you give them some tips about things should they look for when playing football (point spreads vs. moneylines, parlays and teasers, etc.).
RG: Our site is pretty easy to figure out. If a person can use a mouse, they can bet. To become familiar with the industry, players should spend a couple of hours every week reading everything they can at sites like yours. There are hundreds of theories out there and occasionally one will fit in with your own personal views and abilities. I talk about some of these theories in my From the Frontlines articles (click here to find all of Rob’s articles). If you aren’t sure about your own theory, track your plays in a spreadsheet (or on paper) instead of using real money.
BWorld: You keep a good profile with the Internet community by doing your columns, which are very well received by everyone. How do you come up with the topics for these articles?
RG: I get suggestions from our book managers, Customer Service staff and from my readers. I have compiled dozens of suggestions and eventually I will get to them all…hopefully.
BWorld: What’s your opinion on regulated and quasi-regulated vs. completely laissez-faire jurisdictions like Costa Rica?
RG: This has been a hot topic lately. These so-called regulated jurisdictions have done nothing to prevent books operating there from stiffing players when they go under. If there is no protection, what is the advantage? Costa Rica offers better technology, a better labor pool and a more stable government than any of the nearby regulated or quasi-regulated jurisdictions. It is for this reason alone that Costa Rica has more sportsbooks than all of these other jurisdictions combined. As (BoDog owner) Cole Turner says, there is a reason unregulated jurisdictions have fewer failures – competition is more intense so players, not local governments, are deciding the fate of books. There is one thing and one thing only that will determine the health of a Sportsbook, the quality of the management and in unregulated environments the good ones will thrive and create value for the players and the bad ones will wither. In regulated environments, especially when they are forced to compete with unregulated ones with there lower cost base as is the case on the Internet, the weak are propped up artificially and the implosions are therefore that much bigger when they eventually come down and all the while the value of the product is less for the most important guys in the whole process, the players! All the evidence points to the fact that Player value is enhanced with an independently verifiable wagering product like sports in an unregulated environment with market forces (the players) shaping the organizations.
BWorld: Who builds your software?
RG: We are the only totally vertically integrated operation in our industry. All of our development is done in-house and this gives unprecedented flexibility, speed and originality in our offerings. No one buying off the shelf software is able to compete with us.
BWorld: Where do you see BoDog in this industry now?
RG: We see BoDog as the largest and best on the Internet channel, and gaining fast on the voice channel. But more importantly, because of our close relationship with eBanx, we can also offer the fastest payouts and widest variety of deposit methods in the industry. Our service is unparalleled when it comes to your money. (To learn more about BoDog, visit http://www.gambling-online-wagering.com/)
This establishment is a must-have out for football season. With the combination of their bookmaking expertise, to their highly trained and efficient customer service statff, to their technological expertise, you can't go wrong. Combine that with a rock solid financial history and you are playing with the cream of the crop!
Got a question for Rob? Email him your questions or Frontlines subscribe requests at rob@bodog.com or click here to learn more about Rob Gillespie.
Call 1-888-263-0000 to get info on joining BoDog, or go directly to http://www.bodog.com
Comment