eHorse shutdown ??

[Sunday.Silence]

why did Homeland Security do this ???.....i thought horse racing was grandfathered and legal to wager online.....this country has become the land of the sheep and home of the lame

[Southieboy]

Isn't ehorse offshore?

[xfile]

ehorse seems to be ok but betehorse is seized. Anyone know the difference between the 2? Maybe betehorse had a poker room?

[highnote]

I used the way back machine to view an old version of betehorse and was redirected to ehorse -- actually, I think it was ehorsex.com.

[xfile]

I used the way back machine to view an old version of betehorse and was redirected to ehorse -- actually, I think it was ehorsex.com (http://ehorsex.com).
Me too. I saw they had a full casino, sports book, poker, etc on Betehorse

[turfnsport]

Bookmaker owns ehorse...It's possible they had those domains registered outside of the U.S. and the Feds could not seize them.

[highnote]

A colleague tried to withdraw some money from an offshore account today. He sent me a copy of what he saw:

[BIG49010]

If you have trouble viewing this email, CLICK HERE (http://ehorsex.switchboxapp.com/api/t/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~/6hGnnP72hdDORPPiSmtMTcw~~/6zO2VaeqMBIE~/6fHjB_N_BC9bkfn7-OlMoXQ~~/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~)
http://www.ehorse.com/2011_Events/NOTICE_2011/images/main_header_01.jpg (http://ehorsex.switchboxapp.com/api/t/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~/6hGnnP72hdDORPPiSmtMTcw~~/6zO2VaeqMBIE~/6bHUuYWQL5nixFYT1Zc4g8Q~~/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~)http://www.ehorse.com/2011_Events/NOTICE_2011/images/main_header_02.jpg (http://ehorsex.switchboxapp.com/api/t/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~/6hGnnP72hdDORPPiSmtMTcw~~/6zO2VaeqMBIE~/6SvUxuHU-2Ze02KAPb3oFeg~~/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~)http://www.ehorse.com/2011_Events/NOTICE_2011/images/main_header_03.jpg (http://ehorsex.switchboxapp.com/api/t/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~/6hGnnP72hdDORPPiSmtMTcw~~/6zO2VaeqMBIE~/6eL2N_iuJGqOuOFeXuzG4zA~~/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~)http://www.ehorse.com/2011_Events/NOTICE_2011/images/main_header_04.jpg (http://ehorsex.switchboxapp.com/api/t/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~/6hGnnP72hdDORPPiSmtMTcw~~/6zO2VaeqMBIE~/6Iq7k-yKrUd9QKnABl6hbyQ~~/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~)http://www.ehorse.com/2011_Events/NOTICE_2011/images/main_header_05.jpg (http://ehorsex.switchboxapp.com/api/t/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~/6hGnnP72hdDORPPiSmtMTcw~~/6zO2VaeqMBIE~/6n230z5GmUKi6khub2Cz3Lw~~/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~)http://www.ehorse.com/2011_Events/NOTICE_2011/images/main_header_06.jpgDear valued eHorse customer,

We have an important announcement regarding the eHorse domain name (web address). In the past, you have been able to use www.betehorse.com (http://www.betehorse.com/) and www.eHorse.com (http://ehorsex.switchboxapp.com/api/t/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~/6hGnnP72hdDORPPiSmtMTcw~~/6zO2VaeqMBIE~/6NtAOWjmlVoj97uECqbzu8g~~/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~). eHorse no longer has ownership of betehorse.com (http://betehorse.com/). We will only be using www.eHorse.com (http://ehorsex.switchboxapp.com/api/t/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~/6hGnnP72hdDORPPiSmtMTcw~~/6zO2VaeqMBIE~/6JFLZgL9U8kGChpAS_bzKaQ~~/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~) going forward.

Other than that, things at eHorse are business as usual. Player account balances and information are safe and secure.

If you have always used www.eHorse.com (http://ehorsex.switchboxapp.com/api/t/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~/6hGnnP72hdDORPPiSmtMTcw~~/6zO2VaeqMBIE~/6snG9o5kBpGOhWC6RKBMtPQ~~/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~), you will have nothing to change. If you have logged into www.betehorse.com you will now start using www.eHorse.com (http://ehorsex.switchboxapp.com/api/t/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~/6hGnnP72hdDORPPiSmtMTcw~~/6zO2VaeqMBIE~/6MZADLafss3nJ7kDnyGVpug~~/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~).

We sincerely apologize if there has been any interruption to your service. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please call our customer service department at 1-800-416-2838.



www.eHorse.com (http://ehorsex.switchboxapp.com/api/t/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~/6hGnnP72hdDORPPiSmtMTcw~~/6zO2VaeqMBIE~/67_F4Ov2B8ARYjeXQcAYXZQ~~/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~) and www.ehorseX.com (http://ehorsex.switchboxapp.com/api/t/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~/6hGnnP72hdDORPPiSmtMTcw~~/6zO2VaeqMBIE~/6pfeitl3McpbQGD7Bv87ySg~~/6dfubGRwBJ-IDiFGLYv2YPA~~)

...your winning combination for online horse wagering.

Call Customer Service at 1- 800- 416- 2838 or email cs@ehorse.com (http://us.mc1214.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cs@ehorse.com)

[Robert Goren]

I looked at ehorse a few years ago. I even opened an account there, but never funded it. The methods they use fund and cash out seemed really strange. I once heard it described as " go to the starbucks on the corner of 50th and main, tape $500 under the third table from the west along the north wall. come back in three hours and a receipt will be in under the next table east." method of deposit.

[rufus999]

I looked at ehorse a few years ago. I even opened an account there, but never funded it. The methods they use fund and cash out seemed really strange. I once heard it described as " go to the starbucks on the corner of 50th and main, tape $500 under the third table from the west along the north wall. come back in three hours and a receipt will be in under the next table east." method of deposit.

I was at a Starbucks one evening in Manhattan a few months ago and thay had to shut down because the boss walked out. Maybe she collected all the ehorse deposits under the tables.:D

[slew101]

Whenever you read "business as usual" I'd be very concerned.

[comet52]

If you play a lot of exotics I would not play with an offshore bookie. Your payouts will be capped and if you don't read the fine print you will be in for a rude surprise. Also moving money back/forth offshore has become very hard since UIEGA passed.

[thaskalos]

It's very reckless to keep serious money in offshore betting accounts these days...

Not every outfit is like Poker Stars...

[slew101]

Most offshore books have $30,000 limits per race, so you're not likely to hit those ceilings. But always check the limits.

If you play a lot of exotics I would not play with an offshore bookie. Your payouts will be capped and if you don't read the fine print you will be in for a rude surprise. Also moving money back/forth offshore has become very hard since UIEGA passed.

[comet52]

Most offshore books have $30,000 limits per race, so you're not likely to hit those ceilings. But always check the limits.

They cap payouts on exotics. You will see things in the fine print like "maximum payoff on any exacta, trifecta (etc.)" is 250-1. Most of the time this won't matter but if you were someone who liked to bet supers or tri's you'd be taking hits all the time. Your wagers in a Carribean book are not commingled in the pools, you're just betting with a bookie and he's not going to pay like a parimutuel pool can. Of course the advantage there is you can get nicer rebates. Pinnacle used to pay 7% and they cleaned up paying track odds on wps because their edge was still 8-13% or more. But off-site bookies who take wagers from the tracks are one more death nail in the coffin of racing. It's a big part of why the racing industry was a strong supporter of UIEGA.

[highnote]

But off-site bookies who take wagers from the tracks are one more death nail in the coffin of racing.


Probably true, but racing was in decline long before online betting started. Racing started decline when it lost its monopoloy to other forms of legalized gambling -- lotto and brick and mortar casinos in Atlantic City, major cities and Indian reservations.

It's a big part of why the racing industry was a strong supporter of UIEGA.

Brick and mortar casinos probably supported the prohibition of online gambling also.

I find it hypocritical that you can gamble online on horseracing, but not poker.

I find it hypocritical that it is legal to use a credit card to fund an online horse racing account, but not a poke account.

I find it hypocritical that if I had opened a betting exchange in this country back in 1998 when I first got the idea I would have been arrested and to this day I still would, but large ADWs (think Xpressbet) are studying how to start an exchange and when they do they will not be thrown in jail. And it will one day be legal for them to do so.

Unjust laws will eventually be overturned or ignored.

[turfnsport]

Probably true, but racing was in decline long before online betting started. Racing started decline when it lost its monopoloy to other forms of legalized gambling -- lotto and brick and mortar casinos in Atlantic City, major cities and Indian reservations.


In addition, most of the U.S. based ADW's did NOTHING to try and compete with the off shore racebooks over the past two decades.

Some refused to even advertise on sites where there was the presence of off shore ads.

I remember about 15 years ago the moron at Brisbet was shocked I turned down an offer of $25 per sign up. We were getting 10x that and more from off shores.

He refused to budge off the $25 number. I could not believe anyone could be that stupid.

Even today, look at all that went down off shore in the past few months, and except for a few ad banners from Twinspires saying they were "safe", they have not capitalized on the situation.

Arrogance abounds with most U.S. based ADW's. Their lack of vision over the past 15 years is one of the problems the industry is where it is.

[slew101]

You're right on that. Thanks for pointing that out.

[QUOTE=comet52]They cap payouts on exotics. You will see things in the fine print like "maximum payoff on any exacta, trifecta (etc.)" is 250-1. Most of the time this won't matter but if you were someone who liked to bet supers or tri's you'd be taking hits all the time.

[comet52]

In addition, most of the U.S. based ADW's did NOTHING to try and compete with the off shore racebooks over the past two decades.

Some refused to even advertise on sites where there was the presence of off shore ads.

I remember about 15 years ago the moron at Brisbet was shocked I turned down an offer of $25 per sign up. We were getting 10x that and more from off shores.

He refused to budge off the $25 number. I could not believe anyone could be that stupid.

Even today, look at all that went down off shore in the past few months, and except for a few ad banners from Twinspires saying they were "safe", they have not capitalized on the situation.

Arrogance abounds with most U.S. based ADW's. Their lack of vision over the past 15 years is one of the problems the industry is where it is.

I would agree that the ADW's are not innovative, but they are part and parcel of the very stodgy racing industry that mostly lives in the glory days of the past because the present is so painful.

However, to "compete" would require at least a modestly level playing field. When you are running a track or even taking adw bets, and your competition pays no cut to any track for purses, upkeep, etc, and rebates players 7% or more in some cases, you are really not going to be able to "compete" in a meaningful way. The offshores are basically parasites feeding on an already sick patient. I don't think Betfair is much different and they are headed this way.

[turfnsport]

I would agree that the ADW's are not innovative, but they are part and parcel of the very stodgy racing industry that mostly lives in the glory days of the past because the present is so painful.

However, to "compete" would require at least a modestly level playing field. When you are running a track or even taking adw bets, and your competition pays no cut to any track for purses, upkeep, etc, and rebates players 7% or more in some cases, you are really not going to be able to "compete" in a meaningful way. The offshores are basically parasites feeding on an already sick patient. I don't think Betfair is much different and they are headed this way.

I understand what you are saying, but the U.S. based ADW's have done almost nothing.... $25 a sign up is laughable. Some are offering $50 right now. Equally laughable.

And you have one U.S. based ADW charging 25 cents a bet...again, laughable.

Well, maybe more sad than laughable.

[comet52]

I understand what you are saying, but the U.S. based ADW's have done almost nothing.... $25 a sign up is laughable. Some are offering $50 right now. Equally laughable.

And you have one U.S. based ADW charging 25 cents a bet...again, laughable.

Well, maybe more sad than laughable.

Charging you to make bets is a little of both, I think.