I once was talking to a bookmaker in a pizzeria

[jjgold]

We were talking about sports betting and you could hold your own compared to casino and horse racing and he tells me yeah but it’s a slow death. We get it all eventually.

 

[Tanko]

JJ were you a bookmaker at one point for any extended period of time?

I would think the clients that fail to pay you is the bottom line reason bookmaking doesn't pan out. Bookies always making vig and can lay off any one sided bets with other bookies so non-payment by someone has to be the biggest issue. Right?

 

[BMR Genie]

Is the pizza good, JJ?

 

[rolandcorts]

I remember a time when Clifton had a bookmaker operating openly in a strip mall. I forget the system they had for tickets and so on but it lasted months until they got shut down.

jj made a small test bet at one time I believe

 

[BobbyFK]

JJ were you a bookmaker at one point for any extended period of time?

I can picture this

 

[djefferis]

Bookmaking is a rough business.

You go in knowing long term you WILL be profitable - but collecting paper profits is not the same as winning on paper.

You get to rough in collecting - you invite outside interference (ie law enforcement) - you go soft - word gets out and the deadbeats will over run you. The "middle ground" - using outside assistance in collecting your debts - of course these type of guys with the muscle to collect will eventually realize you need them more than they need you and eventually you work for them.

Then there's the capitalization issue - again - long term you will win - but smart bookies never lay off the action. Again - bet with other guys and lose - your giving away profits, bet with them and win - no guarantee they don't stiff you and leave you in the same tough spot.

Volume is the key - both in keeping players active constantly to churn out a profit and in keeping their debts (and payouts) on smaller side so they can be managed. Once someone gets in too deep - they have no incentive to pay. They know they are buried and move on to greener pastures to play. Always some sucker who will extend credit to a new customer in hopes of making $$.

Finally - you do too well - imitators will rush in to steal your clients. Again - always some dumbass who will over extend to losers and steal your most valuable clients. They then lose big to this guy - and best case they return back to you chasing - but maybe they check out of the scene altogether.

 

[KingKolzig]

Slow death cause a betislands is right around the corner

 

[Archie]

how did the pepperoni taste?

 

[jjgold]

JJ were you a bookmaker at one point for any extended period of time?

I would think the clients that fail to pay you is the bottom line reason bookmaking doesn't pan out. Bookies always making vig and can lay off any one sided bets with other bookies so non-payment by someone has to be the biggest issue. Right?

No would hold bets once in a while that’s it
There are to make deadbeats now

 

[DiggityDaggityDo]

The JJ Special

 

[sharpsquare]

We are always behind the times down here so the local bookie I've used for going on 22 years now is still in operation (although it's def much slower business wise than it used to be). Has a little private card/domino hall fairly deep in the bayou. Still a great place to have a couple of beers and play some Bourre