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Witling
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 2:49 pm 
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Thanks for all the info, Gents, but these ALL pertain to INTERNET GAMBLING. Of course if the local sports book is connected to a firm that is involved with internet gambling in the US then I can see the concern.

I've seen the hysteria of "word on the street" information as it spreads throughout a group so it's no surprise that the local gambing concerns are "on edge". Latins don't have a monopoly on this personality trait but they do seem to relish it.

As for making a sports bet in Costa Rica, I still am not convinced there is a problem for American citizens (other than losing your money, of course). If I had a winning bet I would make sure I cashed it ASAP.

I'll be interested to see what all goes down when the time comes.

Of course judging by what I've seen from both the inside and outside on how the "US Government" operates nothing would surprise me.


Last edited by Witling on Sun Jan 28, 2007 7:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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LVSteve
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 5:37 pm 
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Yo Circus and other naysayers. If anyone BUT Vegas Bob had posted this warning, I would consider it a joke/hoax. If there is anybody who knows what going in CR as it relates to this subject, its him. I would heed his advice.
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Circus
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:42 pm 
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YO Sport wagers:

Who cares. Hell my name was on the Brothers records and and I have'nt had any FBI agents breaking down my door. I don't worry about shit like that. Besides, I quit betting seriously on sports many years ago......it's a loss loss practice.

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Pidd
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 10:15 pm 
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I spoke with an owner of one of the sportsbooks and they are taking this very seriously. The ones that can are only carrying CR ID. and not sitting in the management offices at their work. Apparently there are a number of agents staying at hotels in central.


Where Do I apply for an FBI Job...??? I could be the Resident Agent and keep an eye on all the nasty naughty sportsbook betters while living it up in a hotel at Uncle Sams expense...

Think I've found my calling.... and I just happen to be available !!

PIDD
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Csorrow
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:57 am 
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I can't say for absolute certainty what's going on, but I can make a pretty good guess--I used to work as an attorney for the United States federal court system (and dealt with a lot of cases involving the FBI), and I spent a lot of time recently looking into US law as it pertains to internet gambling (another vice of mine).

First of all, a couple of things I know to be true:

1) With a few very rare exceptions (i.e., if you've been convicted of a crime and condition of sentence or probation is that you can't gamble), it's never illegal for a US citizen physically present in an state or country to gamble in a way that's legal in that state or country. That's why gambling is ok in Nevada but not in Utah. Rules vary from state to state; federal (US) law just says you have to follow the laws of state or country where your butt is sitting at the moment. It's even legal to gamble on the internet IF you're physically present in a state or country that allows it (in fact, you can gamble via internet in Nevada under certain conditions). So there's absolutely nothing illegal about a US citizen going into an establishment in Costa Rica and gambling--as long as Costa Rica says it's ok. (And if Costa Rica says it isn't, that's a violation of Costa Rican law, not US law.)

2) If the FBI is involved in an operation to shut down gambling facilities in Costa Rica, they have to have the approval of the Costa Rican government. They can't just wander into the country and start arresting people. (Not to say that it doesn't happen from time to time--but it's highly illegal. If it does happen, it's to nail a drug kingpin or a terrorist. Of course, the US can just put pressure on Costa Rica, and they'll grant approval, so it doesn't really matter.)


Here's the practical problem, though. If your casino gets shut down by US/Costa Rican authorities, you may find it hard to get your money back simply because there's no one there to give it to you, even if you placed a perfectly legal bet. Much the same as if your bank goes bankrupt while you have a deposit in it (except banks are insured against that--by the FDIC in the US--and casinos aren't).

SO, unless there's some Costa Rican law in place (and I don't know anything whatsoever about Costa Rican gambling law) you don't really need to worry about getting arrested if you go into a casino and place a bet, but you might have to worry about losing your money. If I were going to make a bet, I'd probably make it and cash out pretty quickly--I'd think twice (based on the posts above) before leaving the money with the casino for any significant portion of time.

Not sure if this helps clear up any of the confusion--and there may be some things going on with Costa Rican law that I don't know about--but I hope it helps.
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VegasBob
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:16 am 
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csorrow...thanks for your valuable input. A couple of points that you are unaware of. First,with the exception of the Morazan Hotel and casino,all the casino based sports books were closed down 3 years ago on Super Bowl Sunday. This was done by the Costa Rican authorities because of an old law forbiding them in Casinos. The legal sports books here in CR are operated separately doing business over the telephone and internet. Second,as I understand it, the FBI hasn't included the local authorities about the supposed sting because the Police here are widely known for their corrupt way of doing business. I assume they will be notified (and probably included) at the last minute.

You are correct about the legalities of gambling in CR. It is legal to place a bet by either, walking into a legal sports book,telephoning them,or over the internet, so long as you are currently IN COSTA RICA. The problem comes with the U.S. laws which currently say that you can't transfer money to a sportsbook for the purpose of gambling. I agree with you that the safest way to bet the game from here in CR is to do it last minute (assuming the sports book hasn't been closed) and cash out your winnings (God willing) as soon as the game is over. Parsonnaly I believe that the reputable sports books here would make good on any money deposited with them,however why have to wait until the smoke clears.
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CRT Handicapper
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:59 am 
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Sensationalized Reports Have Bookies Fleeing Costa Rica
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com

Many online bookies just packed up and left following a cryptic message that appeared on the eGaming Review Magazine website Tuesday. The publication unraveled already frayed nerves by suggesting that the US Department of Justice would not apprehend more internet gambling operators, perhaps even turning the tourist playground of Costa Rica into Club Fed.

Rumours suggesting further online gaming arrests planned for this week have been denied by the Department of Justice (DoJ) in New York and Washington DC this afternoon.

A spokesperson said: “Nothing would be made public until an individual or company was charged.”

According to sources in Washington DC who have spoken to eGaming Review, the US authorities are on the verge of unsealing another set of indictments against a high-profile US-facing betting and gaming operator.

Is the DoJ really going to answer the phone and tell some online gambling publication that "Yes indeed, we plan to make more arrests this weekend of a high profile internet gambling operator. Please publish this so that you guys can give them advance warning"?

We think not.

Gambling911.com, which prides itself on fair and balanced reporting, is having a tough time grasping the eGaming Review report. We will never let a good story get in the way of facts.

Gambling911.com attempted to confirm this story with the DoJ and they promptly hung up on us.

So if we are to believe eGaming Review, a spokesperson for the DoJ says "Nothing would be made public until a person or company was charged" yet eGaming Review's headline suggests "There will be no actions taken by the DoJ this week".

Don't tell that to the Costa Rican bookies who have been fleeing the country in record numbers this week, some even claiming to have sold their businesses.

"eGaming Review will come out and say 'We were right' no matter what transpires this week," said one bookmaker. "If nothing happens, they point to their headline. If something does happen, they point to their 'source's information' and the vague comment supposedly from a DoJ spokesperson."

The latest rumor going around Bookie Central is that some four dozen FBI agents have descended upon the Central American hamlet and plan on rounding up about two dozen rogue bookmakers (two agents for every rogue). Costa Rica will cooperate, according to these rumors, because of a us$200 million US loan that has been forgiven.

"(The) story goes that (the) plane was half full on way here (to Costa Rica) and they have booked full plane for ride home (back to the US)".

The Costa Rican bookies will believe anything they hear because they are so on edge these days. Having a bunch of FBI agents globetrotting around the world hunting online bookmakers might not sit too well with an American public still wondering why Bin Laden is yet to be captured. But Costa Rican bookies believe they are sitting ducks....literally.

One freaked out bookie relayed to Gambling911.com:

"At the Marriott there was this guy with a book on 'Bird Watching' and he had a pair of binoculars. The funny thing was, there were no birds around and he kept directing the binoculars towards me when it appeared I was sleeping."

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VegasBob
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:33 am 
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and the plot thickens............
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Witling
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 2:42 pm 
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"250 agents"
"four dozen agents"
"half a plane full of agents"

This is getting pretty comical.
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Witling
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:08 pm 
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OK, what happened?

Did J. Edgar Hoover and his boys shut down all the sportsbooks?
Did they haul all the employees away?
Did they freeze all the accounts?
Did they arrest any gringos?
Did they clean up all the crime and evil in San Jose?
Did any G-Men get laid?


Last edited by Witling on Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Florida
PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:14 pm 
:D word on the calle is You are busted :!: :lol: :lol:
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VegasBob
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 9:58 am 
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According to AM Costa Rica today,the only thing that happened was an immigration raid on several Sports Books Friday morning. The article also talks about the immigration raid that night at the DR. (AM Costa Rica Page 2 today)
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Bilko
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:21 pm 
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I was briefly detained by two guys in sunglasses, officers Jake and Elwood. They let me go when they found out I had put my life savings on Chicago and gave 15 points.

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