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rrbauer
05-07-2002, 03:07 PM
There was a rumor on another board that Xpress Bet (Magna) was cancelling accounts from Texas residents. Some legality issue.

Anyone know about this?
smf
05-07-2002, 08:43 PM
Not a rumor. Everyone's balance is zero'd out, and chex are on da way.
Figman
05-07-2002, 09:37 PM
Here is a little telephone betting gem that few know about. It is in the state of New Hampshire and they handle upwards of 35 tracks a day (including greyhounds and harness).
http://www.hinsdalegreyhound.com/account/index.htm
smf
05-07-2002, 10:04 PM
Figman,

Thanks. Will check it out.
rrbauer
05-09-2002, 12:03 PM
Figman:

I checked out the NH greyhound place and they told me that they were not taking new accounts from out of state.
smf
05-09-2002, 01:08 PM
rrbauer,

Same here. Was told they weren't interested at this time.

Before long, in Texas we'll have one option when wanting to bet at home--Offshore.

Not an appealing picture, but that's what it'll come down to. At least Brisbet (AmericaTab) is willing to put up a fight.
rrbauer
05-09-2002, 02:59 PM
Texas Folks:

Has the Magna deal for Lone Star been closed yet? (I'm guessing that it hasn't because TVG still carries their races.)

Maybe pulling out of the phone bet biz by Magna was to appease the Texas Racing Commission (or whatever agencies have to give their blessing to the sale and give Magna the OK run a track there). I don't know what laws are at issue but I would speculate that if/when Magna takes over Lone Star that the other phone bet outfits who are still doing biz with Texas' customers might start feeling some heat.
smf
05-09-2002, 10:34 PM
rrbauer,

You've only stated the very obvious. Yes, Frank won't sit back while others take action while he can't.

There's a lot more to the story here than what's on the surface. Bottom line is that in a year (or less) the only way to bet over the phone here is Offshore.

Lose/ lose situation is what it comes down to....Horsemen and tracks lose $$, players risk their capital to the Caribs. What Paula Flowerday (TRC t*rd wrestler) doesn't understand (among other things) is that handicappers RISK CAPITAL EVERY DAY. It won't stop a single bettor from phone-ing in a bet.
smf
05-09-2002, 11:01 PM
Richard asks,

>>>Texas Folks:

Has the Magna deal for Lone Star been closed yet? (I'm guessing that it hasn't because TVG still carries their races.) <<<<

The sale is estimated to go thru shortly after the closing of the LS meet. Flowerday (who loves to see her name in the papers) was quoted in the DMN 2 months ago that the sale wasn't a slam dunk by any means. Xpressbet was dead in the water here from the start, after the proposed purchase.

As far as LS/ tvg goes, LS has a contract w/ them. Expires after this season, I believe.
rrbauer
05-10-2002, 06:29 AM
smf:

Thanks for the input. It's amazing how warped some of our "freedoms" become when politicians/bureaucrats start protecting us from ourselves!
ranchwest
05-10-2002, 07:06 AM
Originally posted by rrbauer
smf:

Thanks for the input. It's amazing how warped some of our "freedoms" become when politicians/bureaucrats start protecting us from ourselves!

And when there is a dollar to be made.
ceejay
05-10-2002, 09:10 AM
Originally posted by smf
rrbauer,

There's a lot more to the story here than what's on the surface. Bottom line is that in a year (or less) the only way to bet over the phone here is Offshore.


You could just move north of the Red River! ;)
ranchwest
05-10-2002, 09:21 AM
Originally posted by ceejay


You could just move north of the Red River! ;)

Bossier City? :)
smf
05-10-2002, 02:59 PM
Here's an article in today's DMN that covers part of the issue.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/horseracing/stories/051002dnspoaskwest.548d4.html


I think West is as good a writer as there is in racing. However, I think he's soft-stepping here (jmho).

The lady that "ran the shop" at Ladbrokes (Shirl) told me on the phone 3 years ago that she and Ladbroke officers escorted TRC and Texas reps thru their facility when asked to close Tx accounts. After discussions, it was agreed upon that as long as Texans couldn't wager on Tx tracks, the TRC was ok w/ that. In other words, we could wager on almost anything but Tx tracks.

That is what she told me, and that is how they have operated until this past Monday (now run by Magna). Shirl also said that Ladbrokes was willing to go to court if need be, to keep Texas accounts going w/ them.

Then Stronach bought Ladbroke's, then Lone star....doesn't take a genius to figure out what the deal is here.

I've emailed Flowerday in the past and got 2 different responses for the same question spaced one week apart, then saw her give a quote in the paper that was different still from her emails. Typical Austin bureaucrat....

Ladbrokes (before Magna took over) seemed to be open and honest in my conversations w/ them. They're good, competent people now owned by a different group. Can't blame the old Ladbrokes bunch, they're just toe-ing the new company line.
ranchwest
05-10-2002, 04:04 PM
Isn't this regulation of interstate commerce? If so, I believe it could be unconstitutional.
cj
05-10-2002, 05:14 PM
Originally posted by ranchwest


Bossier City? :)

Last I checked, that was East, come join us in OK! That's North.
(When I get back that is)

CJ
smf
05-11-2002, 02:10 AM
CJM,

The Red River runs thru Shreveport/ BC. My guess is there's more than one good reason why a lot of Okies move down here as opposed to Texans moving to OK. :)

RW,

The verbage in the TRC regs m/ not be crystal clear. I've read it, have my own opinion, but I'm no law expert. Ladbrokes, et al w/ not have set up shop here had they thought it wasn't legal or felt they couldn't whip the state in court over the issue.
ranchwest
05-11-2002, 09:54 AM
The race track in Bossier City is north and east of the Red River. As smf surmised, it was a little jab at Oklahomans. :)
smf
05-11-2002, 10:45 AM
RW,

I can't jab em too hard as long as they keep spankin' us in October.

Fwiw, I noticed OK has a few wagering-restrictions of their own but at least they have OTB's from what I gather. Pretty good situation, all in all.

Louisiana has the best @ home deal, imo.
ceejay
05-11-2002, 05:14 PM
There are some restrictions. Tracks run the OTB's. The gov just signed a bill dropping the 6-track full card limit for simo's. I think that change is effective 9/1/02.

The only limits the state seems to put on at-home wagers is to restrict bets on races in OK. No great loss. (unless you like to play BRD!).