Texas racetracks are losing millions in business to Internet betting sites, even though Internet wagering on horse racing is illegal in the Lone Star State. Several companies in the U.S., including Youbet.com and BrisBET.com, allow Texans to place Internet wagers on horse races. "That kind of betting in Texas is illegal. It’s a local law enforcement issue," says Tom Kelly, a spokesman for the state attorney general’s office. However, no one has yet been prosecuted for Internet wagering in Texas, nor has any company been prosecuted for accepting bets from Texans. Mike Weiss, general manager of AmericaTab and Beulah Park, says the wagering service has received no notification that accepting wagers from Texans is illegal. Charles Champion, chief executive of Youbet.com, was also unaware of the Texas law and vows that Youbet.com would fight it if challenged.
---------------------------------------
Internet wagering companies accepting bets from Texas despite ban
Though Internet wagering on horse racing is illegal in Texas, several companies in the United States accept such bets from people in the state.
Youbet.com and BrisBET.com allow wagering on horse racing from Texans. Ohio-based AmericaTab handles the wagers from BrisBET.
"That kind of betting in Texas is illegal," Tom Kelly, a spokesman for the state attorney general’s office, told the Dallas Morning News. "It’s a local law enforcement issue."
No person has ever been prosecuted for Internet wagering in Texas, nor has any company been prosecuted for accepting bets from Texans.
Jeff Greco, general manager at Lone Star Park, said Internet wagering has been a factor in recent dips in attendance and handle at the Grand Prairie, Texas, track.
"I know we’ve lost a number of our horseplayers to the comfort of their own homes," Greco said. "They stay at home and bet over the Internet."
Mike Weiss, general manager of AmericaTab and Beulah Park, said the wagering service has received no notification that accepting wagers from Texans is illegal.
Charles Champion, chief executive of Youbet.com, said he was also unaware of the Texas law, and vowed that Youbet.com would fight it if challenged.
Racetracks in states with authorized account wagering, or Internet betting, usually receive compensation in the form of "source market fees" for potential wagers lost from bettors using such services, according to the Dallas newspaper.
Texas racetracks receive no compensation since that type of wagering is illegal there.
"We’re just starting to get the numbers, but I think Texas racing is losing millions," from Internet wagering, said John Roark, national president of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=38108&subsec=1
---------------------------------
The tracks can say they are losing money, but it's the Internet sites that have marketed to Internet gamblers and have many loyal customers as a result of it.
---------------------------------------
Internet wagering companies accepting bets from Texas despite ban
Though Internet wagering on horse racing is illegal in Texas, several companies in the United States accept such bets from people in the state.
Youbet.com and BrisBET.com allow wagering on horse racing from Texans. Ohio-based AmericaTab handles the wagers from BrisBET.
"That kind of betting in Texas is illegal," Tom Kelly, a spokesman for the state attorney general’s office, told the Dallas Morning News. "It’s a local law enforcement issue."
No person has ever been prosecuted for Internet wagering in Texas, nor has any company been prosecuted for accepting bets from Texans.
Jeff Greco, general manager at Lone Star Park, said Internet wagering has been a factor in recent dips in attendance and handle at the Grand Prairie, Texas, track.
"I know we’ve lost a number of our horseplayers to the comfort of their own homes," Greco said. "They stay at home and bet over the Internet."
Mike Weiss, general manager of AmericaTab and Beulah Park, said the wagering service has received no notification that accepting wagers from Texans is illegal.
Charles Champion, chief executive of Youbet.com, said he was also unaware of the Texas law, and vowed that Youbet.com would fight it if challenged.
Racetracks in states with authorized account wagering, or Internet betting, usually receive compensation in the form of "source market fees" for potential wagers lost from bettors using such services, according to the Dallas newspaper.
Texas racetracks receive no compensation since that type of wagering is illegal there.
"We’re just starting to get the numbers, but I think Texas racing is losing millions," from Internet wagering, said John Roark, national president of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=38108&subsec=1
---------------------------------
The tracks can say they are losing money, but it's the Internet sites that have marketed to Internet gamblers and have many loyal customers as a result of it.
