Account Wagering, Inc.

[Rick]

Has anyone used these guys? They're in the Virgin Islands (US territory) and funnel bets back into the track's parimutuel pools. That would seem to eliminate some of the problems associated with most off-shore outfits. I was one of those that got burned (though not in a big way) by Aces Gold so I'm looking for a safer alternative. They also offer greyhounds and jai alai, which I'll bet sometimes.

[Dick Schmidt]

I've had an account with them for some time, but have never made a bet with them. I opened it so that I could access the Racing Chanel Online video feed. You need to have a Philly Park or Account Wagering account to do so. I can't open a PP account from CA, so I went with AW. I too bet with Aces Gold. Maybe I should have taken a longer look at AW. I'm now using E-Horse, which is not pari-mutual, but has such a wonderful interface that I will stay with them until they kick me out.

Dick

[Dave Schwartz]

I got my "post up" money back from Aces Gold!

I put in a claim against my credit card and they put the amount in dispute. (It has been said that since they are gone nobody will be around to dispute the claim.)

All I lost was my profit which was only a couple of hundred dollars. (I am torn between "wish I could say I lost more" and "glad I didn't have more profit in the account.")


Regards,
Dave Schwartz

[rrbauer]

Speaking of eHorse--I was unable to access their web site yesterday for the last couple SA races (didn't try earlier) and again this morning couldn't get in.

I was able to get a bet in via the 800-number, but they're having some kind of software problems, I think. I did get an email with my rebate notification this morning.

Anyone else having a problem?

[Rick]

Dick & Dave,

So, as far as you know, AWI doesn't put the same kind of restrictions on what state you live in that PP does? AZ has threatened several services that I've used before and the options are rather limited. Worse than that, I plan to move to northern Nevada soon and I'm not sure if anyone will take bets from there. I know Coast Resorts has a "closed loop" betting system but they're in Las Vegas, which would be long distance. I really don't feel like going down to the race book every day any more. I guess I'm getting lazy.

[rrbauer]

Rick
Call the PhoneBet biz office at 1-888-BET2WIN and ask them about NV. I don't know. I heard that the AmericaTAb outfit (Beulah Park) was still taking bets from Texas...maybe they'll take your AZ action...they are the ones that BRIS is in bed with. Since TVG is doing TUP races you should be able to open an acccount with them--right? (I understand the limitations as to the tracks that you can bet with them.)

I just opened an account with eHorse a short time ago and I've had no problems so far except with the web site access problem that went away today. I have had an account with WSEX for years for occasional sports bets and never had a problem with them. They take limited horse bets on the major tracks. With the PayPal and NetTeller outfits in the picture now, getting money back and forth has been simplified.

There is probably a 7-cent per min intrastate plan available in NV which would mitigate LD charges if you got into the Coast network. Bob Gregorka is the guy who was running that the last time that I was there. He has a phone extension at the Orleans, so you could call there and ask for him to get details.

[Dave Schwartz]

Rick,

I have been using Philly Park (from Reno) for 5 years or so without problem. To my knowledge they are the only U.S. service that will take our bets from NV. But they will not take "web" bets, only "phone" bets.

Dave

[Lefty]

e-horse says having a few probs cause of sunspots (tiz the season) but I had no trble getting in last 3 days.
Back to the casino for 3-4 days, get tired of sittin' home.

[GR1@HTR]

If I recall correctly, they will also with hold taxes on exotic wagers paying over 300-1...not sure though...

[Rick]

Thanks for the info everyone. The policies of some of these companies don't make much sense to me when you look at where they will and won't take bets from, how they'll take bets, etc.


Dave,

Does Philadelphia let you use touch tone wagering on the phone or do you have to talk to the operator? I find that the fewer humans involved in the transaction, the less chance for errors. That's something I never really liked about the race book experience - too many incorrect tickets. I guess I've been hooked on machines since banks installed ATM's. Waiting in line at banks and race books is not my idea of fun.

The last time I checked, Philly wouldn't take anything from AZ, so it seems strange that they would take NV bets. AWI was originally associated with them and split off their own operation, so their is some hope they'll be more liberal.

[rrbauer]

Rick
I know your PP question was aimed at Dave S....I'll tell you what I know:
Philly has a touch-tone setup...I don't like it, but if you only use that or bet via the internet (just started last Dec) then you avoid the $1.50 per day access charge. They record all phone calls and have an extensive phone-tape library and a full-time librarian if you have any issues over "I said"--"You said". In 6 years I've had one disagreement....and it turned out they got it right and I was wrong! They repeat back every bet and you must confirm before they will go on to the next one. With the toll-free number (bigger accounts get a separate number that fewer people have access to) you can call them from anywhere...the car, the bar, the john, yada, yada, yada...and I have! They have a player-rewards setup (read: rebates) that is OK and you can convert the rebates into account deposits. The rebate deal isn't as good as eHorse (I think that my account is rated "platinum" and the rebate is 1.75%) but I can bet just about anywhere on anything the track offers and whatever the track minimum bet is. (eg. $1 exactas, P4's, etc.)

From what Dave said about not being able to bet over the internet from NV I assume that you can't access their streaming video via the 'net from NV zip codes. I am originally from that area and when I go back to visit my daughter I can go to any of their neighborhood "turf" clubs and get comped for lunch, drinks, etc., and bet there using my phone account via their in-house "tiny tim" terminal setup. Being in CA, it's been "tricky" keeping my account alive, but I've managed so far!

[Rick]

Richard,

I liked the touch tone access that I had with CT OTB (Autotote). Although it could have been easier to use, it was convenient to use it when privacy was necessary, such as for making a bet in an OTB on a race they don't simulcast (they tend to frown on such things). Internet betting would be adequate for most situations though. I noticed that the Racing Channel's live feed asks for a login from either Philly or AWI accounts. So, apparently they're similar but not the same.

I wonder if the zip code on their online betting login is used to exclude certain areas or just to check against what's specified in your account. I don't think it would be easy to verify that what you entered was true. What would a person enter when they're on the road? If I do open an account while I'm in AZ should I tell them when I move? It looks like they use PayPal for transactions so no mailing address would be required.

Are you saying that Reno race books offer phone betting via terminal now? That would really be convenient.

[Dave Schwartz]

Rick,

Just to clarify, you CAN use the touch tone at Philly and you do get streaming video. You just cannot use the web-based wagering site from Nevada.

I am not aware of any Nevada casino that takes telephone wagers in a timely manner. I have heard that a couple of casinos in Las Vegas will take a bet over the phone (with the proper account, of course) but it is only an open cashier taking the calls when there is nobody else in line. In other words, don't try to make a bet with 1 minute to post.

But I am no knowledge guru at Nevada phone wagering so perhaps someone else has more info.

Dave

[rrbauer]

Rick wrote:
I wonder if the zip code on their online betting login is used to exclude certain areas or just to check against what's specified in your account. I don't think it would be easy to verify that what you entered was true. What would a person enter when they're on the road? If I do open an account while I'm in AZ should I tell them when I move? It looks like they use PayPal for transactions so no mailing address would be required.

Comment:
Use your account-related zip code. PhoneBet doesn't use PayPal at the moment that I know of. I still have to call the biz office to get checks or make credit-card deposits. I would definitely tell them of any address change.

Regarding:
Are you saying that Reno race books offer phone betting via terminal now? That would really be convenient.

Comment:
Not sure what this is in reference to. The tiny-tim terminal reference was related to Philly Park's neighborhood "turf" clubs.
Regarding Nevada phone betting: When they closed the Sands and Gregorka went with the Coast group his sole responsibility was to get the phone betting started. How it works, etc. I don't know.

[Rick]

Richard,

I thought you were referring to Reno when you mentioned the terminals. AWI does use PayPal, which would eliminate the need to have a valid address in case that's a problem.


Dave,

I know Philly has touch tone wagering but was wondering about AWI since they have similar "roots". I've got some info coming in the mail. There's not too much on their web site.

I heard about a company called Virtgame developing closed loop race and sports betting software for Nevada residents only. I'm pretty sure that's what Coast Resorts is using but that wouldn't help us in Reno anyway. There may be other properties interested in using them though. It seems like the Hilton or Harrah's should be doing that kind of thing but casino management is always slow to react to new developments.

[Dave Schwartz]

Rick,

Last year Nevada passed an internet casino bill which made it legal for casinos to have internet casinos. I am hoping that once the ball gets rolling sports and horses will be next.

BTW, the "application" fee for a software development company is $250,000; $500,000 for a casino operator.


Dave

[Rick]

Dave,

Yeah, the groundwork is laid. But it takes so long for anything to happen. I was reading a while back about how much business the sports books had lost to offshore betting outfits. Apparently it was the "wise guy" big players because their hold percentage went up at the same time their handle went down. So, the bottom line may not be that much worse anyway. Still, I think they'll want to do something about the competition soon. Between internet betting and California Indian casinos it's got to be hurting some. And if state revenues go down and they implement an income tax, everyone would go back to California. Hmmm, maybe not a bad thing afterall!