by David Purdum, OSGA
A series of high-profile gambling busts nabbed a revered bookmaker, led to the closure of an online sports book and has left bettors and bookies wondering if their shop is next. A series of high-profile gambling busts nabbed a revered bookmaker, led to the closure of an online sports book and has left bettors and bookies wondering if their shop is next. A second online book closed its doors, unable to pay its customers, and one of its co-owners was found dead after apparently committing suicide in Antigua.
A giant New York City gambling sting went down last week that targeted Russian organized crime, which, according to the indictment, “used online gambling websites, operating illegally in the United States” to run their sports book catering to high-rollers.
Welcome to the Wild West of online sports betting in the Land of the Free, where American sports bettors of all levels basically have two choices: Move to Nevada or make sure your bankroll is a size that you can laugh off, in case the U.S. government or an untrustworthy bookmaker snatches it.
BetLegends.eu, known simply as Legends in the industry, was indicted by the U.S Attorney’s office out of Western Oklahoma on April 9. Soon after, Legends reportedly had its gaming license stripped in Panama and then transferred its accounts to WagerWeb.ag, an online sports book based in Costa Rica that publicly swooped in to take over money already targeted by the U.S. Dept. of Justice.
Rumors are flying around. Odds of which sports book is next to get popped have been posted in gambling forums.
Multiple professional bettors have told The Linemakers on Sporting News that they are stepping back from the offshore industry and waiting to see if things cool off. Others are focusing on off-the-radar sports books run by local bookmakers and not listed on websites that display odds from offshore books.
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