Now here is something to think about

[Scav]

Up to today, this year, I have recieved $6,424.48 in Horse Wagering Rebates. I would say about 90% of my action has been put through Pinnacle, where the other 10% at Arlington Park/Arlington Trackside(no rebate on this 10%)

While I would love to support the game and put the funds I am wagering into the US wagering pools, it is IMPOSSIBLE to ignore the fact that if I did wager into the US pools, I would have left $6,424.48 on the table, or close to $1,300 a month so far.

Something to think about for the people that aren't wagering off shore, they should consider it, because you are also, leaving money on the table.

[KonaNative]

Wont the legislation in Congress put an end to the offshore gambling shops?

[Scav]

Never will be able to. THE ONLY THING that will stop off shore wagering will be what Italy did, which was have all internet providers block SPECIFIC sites. If this were to happen here, the protestors will be in heaven. From what I have heard, the off shore companies are not worried about this at all as they have already planned for it. My guess, having the limited IT knowledge, is that they would re-classify what kind of website they are.

[randallscott35]

Scavs,

The 90% / 10% rule is right on. Almost exactly me too. I still bet some at the track b/c its nice to have the money in your hand if you do well. But I only go to Saratoga and Belmont a few times a year....The rebates make the game more fair, not less. Think about it this way, betting a football game laying -110, you have to be really good over the long haul to turn a profit. Try and do that at -116 or -117 for horse racing. Reallll tough. But at -108,-109 it becomes doable if you bring your A game.

[Dunbar]

The rebates make the game more fair, not less. Think about it this way, betting a football game laying -110, you have to be really good over the long haul to turn a profit. Try and do that at -116 or -117 for horse racing. Reallll tough. But at -108,-109 it becomes doable if you bring your A game.

Randall, a -110 line is like a 4.5% track takeout, not a 10% takeout. To see that, just consider two bets of $110, one on each side of a -110 line. The sportsbook will get to keep $10 of the $220 that is bet. $10/$220 is 4.5%.

A 17% track takeout is equivalent to a -150 line! Can you imagine football bettors faced with a choice between Dolphins -150 and Colts -150?! The amount of football betting would drop to almost nothing.

The Pinnacle 7% rebate helps quite a bit, but it still doesn’t put horseracing in the -110 ballpark.

--Dunbar

[2MinsToPost]

This is a very valid point and it begs to ask the question,

How in the world do sites that do not offer rebates stay in business? If you have a dish and are able to get TVG or HRTV, you sure as heck are not worried about live feed - show me a site like Pinnacle that offers rebates and I'll show you a deposit.

It equates to their appreciating their customers and saying thanks by giving back with the rebate, not too mention it is an incentive.

[randallscott35]

Randall, a -110 line is like a 4.5% track takeout, not a 10% takeout. To see that, just consider two bets of $110, one on each side of a -110 line. The sportsbook will get to keep $10 of the $220 that is bet. $10/$220 is 4.5%.

A 17% track takeout is equivalent to a -150 line! Can you imagine football bettors faced with a choice between Dolphins -150 and Colts -150?! The amount of football betting would drop to almost nothing.

The Pinnacle 7% rebate helps quite a bit, but it still doesn’t put horseracing in the -110 ballpark.

--Dunbar

Never thought of it that way, I guess that's correct. The Take in horse racing is way too high. If it came down, more professional bettors would step in to the game.