Phone Betting in Texas - Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com

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

Quote:

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

Quote:

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

Quote:

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/hor...est.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.