Spiro chat at MW

Good stuff. Props to the Greek for being the guest of honor, thanks to Russ and crew for letting the drunken Irishman attend. When asked about Rio (twice) Spiro seemed almost surprised anyone would wonder about a shop like this. "Did a 6 figure transfer with them just this week". No not big 5, 6 figures! He went on to say of course he continues to do transfers with Rio, why wouldn't he? I am sure Russ has already posted to this but wanted to mention it again. LOL. Actually this isn't the time to gloat but it was good to hear. I knew in my heart this book was doing fine. Hope they just continue on like they have the last few years, see no reason they wouldn't. Formal apologies are not necessary.

Hopefully this will end the false slanders aimed at Rio.

Rio is a quality shop. No ifs ands or buts.

Thank you OLYMPIC for putting the viscious rumors to rest about RIO...

I also have had many 6 figure balances there that always gets paid upon my request...

Ken

yea pat, thanks for almost getting me booted by mentioning crazyivans name in there not only did i think i was gonna get booted but ban from posting over there as well

I have had 100k figures on a weekly basis for the last 5 years with Rio/skybook. I can't begin to tell you how much money has gone back and forth between rio and olympic when it comes to me.Rio/Skybook has been a staple on the donbest premium line feed, and it is nice to see that spiro has the class to stand up for them. He is a stand up guy with a great reputation who obviously stood up for them while others flew around like vultures waiting to throw gasoline on the fire. Spiro is really too good a guy to not be involved with the RX. It would be nice to see him and the Shrink resolve any differences they have as I believe both of them to be the creme de la creme in an industry where good people are hard to come by. Here's to Olympic and Spiro, a great sportsbook, run by a top linesmaker!

Patrick,

You are taking this a bit far when you say "When asked about Rio (twice) Spiro seemed almost surprised anyone would wonder about a shop like this." That simply was NOT the case. Spiros was not surprised at all.

I asked The Major to find out if Olympic was still doing transfers with RIO about 10 days ago. He reported in the forums that Olympic WAS doing transfers with RIO. I asked this because I knew if transfers were being completed that it made a positive statement. BUT, while Spiros did in fact say that he had done 6 figure transfers with RIO and did say that he would continue to deal with RIO, he did leave open the possibility of change should he see any signs that would make him change his mind. This STILL was a major endorsement for RIO but not exactly as you have Shilled.

I ask a simple question. If we take Spiros word on RIO (which I certainly do), does this mean that we should wonder about the Shrink since there are some issues between Spiros and Ken?


Alan

Alan,

Other than an advertisng deal gone sour because we didn't remove a thread fast enough for Olympic, there are NO ISSUES between Spiros and I!

Ken

thanks for the update on that chat all sounded interesting....

Doesn't matter who said what yesterday,tomorrow is another day and there is no bussiness on this planet that it's 100% safe.

when he says a 6 figure transfer does he mean a player shifted that type of cash back and forth? Or he was gambling with RIO in the 6 figs? Thanks.

RIO paid OLYMPIC over 6 figures last week. There are several ways this could have happened but the importance of Spiros mentioning this is because RIO obviously has enough cash on hands to pay up other bookies in a timely manner, which isn't always the case..

When fellow sports books are in trouble, they usually allow the ailing sports book too take its time when making the transfer.

This was clearly not the case with RIO and I stress to anyone out there who doubts Spiros word about RIO or mine that I would post up a 500k bond to insure that RIO is SAFE...

If one person wants to bet me that RIO won't be around in 12 months or that RIO won't pay out when they lose, I'd lay some serious odds, too...

Ken

ken,

you get my point -- Spiros statement was VERY strong for his feeling about the current condition of RIO -- but, Patty was making it even stronger than that --- bottom line, even Sprios does not know if that was post-up money he received or it could have been (doubt it seriously though) that the transfer was from Olympic to Rio as the transfer was not defined as being from Rio to Olympic specificly.

Spiros was not happy about the thread here, so, he does not endorse this site with his advertising money --- thus, Spiros is just like anyone else -- his opinion should be taken as such -- it is his opinion and does not make it absolute. On the issue of RIO -- he is comfortable NOW -- and while that says a great deal, it should not be taken as an absolute.

Ken,

Not my day to be an asshole but your offer of a bet is silly and only impresses those that do not know their ass from up ---- The issue is: DOES RIO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE NET WORTH -- they can be around forever operating on postup money(I am NOT saying that is what they are doing) and be broke as a church mouse.

Alan,

You are not an asshole. But since this is a gambling site, I know our readers understand that I wouldn't be risking my money if I didn't believe in what I was advocating...

Perhaps resorting to this is seen as silly to some, but others who KNOW me understand its relevance...

P.S.

I have NOT lost one of these offers, lol...

THE SHRINK

Alan - if I made an endorsement "even stronger" than it was for Rio I apologize, I can see that point. I can live with what you wrote as being accurate enough for me. I was relieved that he wouldn't want to distance himself from this and simply not comment. Couldn't blame him if he didn't want to even speak on it. My exuberance that he spoke up may have carried over here. If he would have chosen to stay out of it the spin probably would have been "Rio is on their last legs according to Spiro".

And I certainly apologize to Spiro if he is offended by this thread, not my intention. I respect the guy a lot and I know others do so I wanted to simply pass his opinion on to some of our posters. I am sure he would be the first to say obviously this is in no way any sort of guarantee. Just one man's very informed opinion. Sure it was one of the top off-shore operators in the world but still just one man's opinion. Most of us can live with that, I know I can. Just hope Russ can.

Patrick,

I seem to want things different in the offshore world than most. Spiros has done everything he needs to do and then some to enjoy the reputation he enjoys and he is a credit to the industry.

I have no agenda other than I have been trying unsuccessfully for years to get all books to come forward with financial data to prove we should send money to Jose in bumfuvk Egypt. Rio and any other book that is being wrongfully bashed can solve the problem by running their business in an open professional manner and providing the information that would prove they are sound financially.

Paying people simply is NOT enough any longer. Blue Marlin paid people until midnight Sunday and then stiffed people for 525 dimes. Aces is rumored to have stiff people for almost 12 very large --again with great payment history and all the assurances in the world that Charley Therwanger was loaded and a "stand-up" guy.

Nothing short of proof should be acceptable unless you name is Spiros.

Here's my feedback on what you said Alan. For starters I have also always wanted more accountability, books to come forward with more of their financial stuff. However the more I see the more I am led to believe it is almost useless. If a book has his heart on stealing from you they will do it! It's almost like a game to people who scam for a living. You come up with a new precaution and they figure new ways around it. They can falsify papers, move money around on the day deposits are checked, bribe folks doing the audits, and fudge figures we could never verify. There is just not enough safeguards, precautions and/or guidelines in the world that is going to protect us from sending our money off-shore. I am convinced of it. Send your money to top tier books with good names and that will save you much more in the long run than an army of accountants we can round up.

As far as Rio or any book that "can end this bashing anytime", I don't buy that. Why would they be singled out and have to expose stuff like that in the first place, secondly like I said above it means squat anyway. That would be a horrible weapon for every site to have in their pocket. Bowmans (just for instance) or another book angers us and we demand to see their financials so we can verify they are solid? Until we see it all in an upfront and professional manner we should bash the shit out of them because it's in their hands to prove us wrong? No I don't believe a book deserves to be wrongfully bashed for not exposing thier paperwork to Russ over at MajorWager, Shrink or anyone else. If they do it industry wide that would be one thing, but to demand individual books do it to "clear their name" based on a site asking for it will never happen. When someone has a legit concern post to it, but incidents when $$ and other agendas drive these bash fests it is no good for any of us.

In closing I don't want to dismiss an idea like this about full disclosure. I said yesterday things never get done because of pessimistic posts like mine is here. However other than perhaps discouraging some low budget operators from trying to scam us I don't think full disclosures are going to be worth all the trouble and hassle to put in place. If they want to steal from you they will work a way around anything you can come up with. You can't judge what is in a man's heart. I have been stiffed with some of the most "honorable men" in 3 countries with a 1000 people vouching for them, there are no guarantees here or anywhere else. Never will be. I'd still take my shots with the Spiros of the world over all the bean counters in the world in the long run. An honorable man's word is better than his financials in my book any old day. Just my 02 cents on all this.

You know whats funny is I spoke to Spiro about 2 weeks ago and Spiro brought up a converstion he had with Russ about Rio , Spiro said he told Russ that Olyimpic does big transfers with Rio and he doesn`t have any problems doing business with Rio . Now my question is this , you would think that after a VERY respected leader in this industry tells you that a book is ok to play with that should be good enough .Here`s an idea Russ , maybe if you weren`t spending so much time spreading bullshit lies about Rio you would have seen the Blue Marlin thing coming , just a thought . I am no longer working for Rio , but we still do alot of business together . So far the ONLY " facts " Russ has brought forth about Rio going under is him , think about it , he has been on Rio`s ass for 2 years now , 2 YEARS now . In 2 years NO player or agent has come forward and said he`s not gotten paid , NO ONE . Yet Russ STILL says Rio`s going under . Come on , this is becoming a JOKE . Rio is solid . But don`t take my word or even Kenny`s or Russ`s for that matter , ask the Leaders of the industry . You can call Olympic , Grande , Del Mar , Pinnacle , Jazz , Cascade , Catalina , Buckeye , Hollywood , Cris . These people ALL respected books , i`m sure some people think some of this books are more respected then others , but the point is YOU as an individual can call these places and ask for YOURSELF . STOP listening to Russ and even Kenny . Do your own homework , it is your money .I`m writing this because what Russ is doing is WRONG , dead wrong . Rio isn`t going anywhere , they are solid . I`m sure Russ will post something about me or Kenny or some other bullshit but here is my question to you Russ , I will bet you $20,000 U.S. dollars that in 1 year from today Rio is still in business with no LEGITIMATE stiffs . So why don`t you put your money where your big fat piece of shit mouth is ? This is MY money NOT Rio`s , to make it fair Spiro or Henry can hold the money , now if thats to much money you can just tell whats comfortable for you . Can`t wait for a response on this ... if there is one .

Is that you Lance/Bill?

Just looked through the chat transcript. This is the kind of informative input that player's need from watchdog sites. The rating's that SBR gives (dismissed by Spiros in the chat), the recommendations given by MW or TheRX, and even anecdotal information from player's pales in comparioson to hearing information directly from the horse's mouth. Pat, you are to be commended for participating and conducting yourself with class. If you haven't read the transcript you should go accross the street and take a look.