I think much of the same. Most of the attention to offshore gambling is going towards casino games and especially to poker. Sports books are thankfully not seeing as many start ups. Next year could see even fewer new options. I think people are coming to their senses and seeing that the first movers and established players have too strong a grip on the market to be beaten with just a novel idea or efforts to improve "customer service". Going forward I suspect most new wrinkles in the game will come as experiments or strategy shifts by existing books. Mansion's efforts have particularly surprised me, I doubted anyone would so blatantly try to enter the tough field with an effort that was certain to draw in fairly sharp bettors. I don't know if we will ever see an effort like that again, but who knows.
I agree with the General, would like to see cash bonuses phased out and have more shops offering reduced juice and the like. I for one have never signed up at a book merely because they were offering a cash bonus. However has signed up at a few shops for reduced vig.
Unfortunetly I don't see to much change in the books bonus policies for 2005. Think you will see the same bonus structures as you did in 2004.
Unfortunetly I don't see to much change in the books bonus policies for 2005. Think you will see the same bonus structures as you did in 2004.
What I'd like to see is for 2005 is the appointment of a worldwide organisation (non profit making) to regulate off shore sportsbooks. A world security council as such.
Each sports book would have to put a bond down depending on their customers - say an arbitrary $1000 per registered customer. Uniform standards of practice would have to be adhered to in order to gain a licence from this organisation. Accounts of sportsbooks would have to be audited by accountants appointed by this organisation.
No person with an interest in a sportsbook would be able to be have any influence with the running of the organisation and each sportsbook wouldn have to agree to accept decisions in any form of dispute - like IBAS in the UK but more powerful.
Without the licence the sportsbook would be considered to be a rogue book and bettors would bet there under their own risk.
I'd of course be the president!
Each sports book would have to put a bond down depending on their customers - say an arbitrary $1000 per registered customer. Uniform standards of practice would have to be adhered to in order to gain a licence from this organisation. Accounts of sportsbooks would have to be audited by accountants appointed by this organisation.
No person with an interest in a sportsbook would be able to be have any influence with the running of the organisation and each sportsbook wouldn have to agree to accept decisions in any form of dispute - like IBAS in the UK but more powerful.
Without the licence the sportsbook would be considered to be a rogue book and bettors would bet there under their own risk.
I'd of course be the president!
we go through this about every 3-4 months. bonuses are going no where, face it, they attract new clients, and books need them to be competetive. sure lower juice is better, but squares like the extra money in the account, they dont know the value of 5c juice.
so, if a book offers a 10% bonus, capped at $500, and every so often(during NFL perhaps) a 15-20% capped at say $500 with a 5 time roll, THEY WILL BE FINE, PERIOD.
it amazes me how one thinks bonuses crash a book, more time than not it is poor management, and not enough money.
just my 2c
BB
so, if a book offers a 10% bonus, capped at $500, and every so often(during NFL perhaps) a 15-20% capped at say $500 with a 5 time roll, THEY WILL BE FINE, PERIOD.
it amazes me how one thinks bonuses crash a book, more time than not it is poor management, and not enough money.
just my 2c
BB
