Another online service thread
 

I've fallen into depression since the closing of Great Lakes Downs. I have nowhere to go to place wagers, and the sport of horse racing is slipping out of my life. I used bodog to place a few wagers, but with their payout limits I don't want to go back. What are some good online wagering sites?

Youbet has always worked well for me yet I do know that some people have had issues. As long as you're betting a reasonable amount of money each month the fees are not a problem.

NT

i use xpressbet and not had any trouble.

The best place to start is to determine which ADWs will take your business. Not all ADWs are available in all states. AmericaTAB (now owned by tracknet) has been free for the 6 or 7 years I've used them and no problems with video or CS. PTC has been great but still limited in track selection.

Well, I have an Xpressbet and a Youbet account (for different tracks). I've liked them both until lately.

Xpressbet just changed their video provider a few weeks back, and although I've been back and forth with tech services (and thought the problem was solved) it has not been - I cannot receive video without constant buffering and interruption. Haven't been able to use the account video.

So I'll probably drop Xpressbet totally. A shame, as I sort of liked them better than Youbet.

You have to telephone both for any help, neither has any decent response to e-mails sent to customer service.

But Xpressbets telephone customer service is far better educated, and nicer, than Youbets on the telephone (I don't think many of the Youbet operators know anything about horse racing)

Youbet ... has little to no customer service IMO. It is slower than Xpressbet posting winnings to your account during the day. The website has more features (their wagerpad pro is nice for vertical bets, click on race replays, click on stats, etc.), they have more tracks, they have more handicapping features, they have free gifts for points earned on wagers at certain tracks (which they have changed to be the second-tier of tracks for the most part, unfortunately)

I've been shut out more frequently at Youbet than Expressbet - Youbet can be slow and lumbering on big race days.

Youbet has a direct and easy transfer of your winnings into a personal account, Xpressbet does not. Both are pretty fast sending IRS info, and have account activity pages you can readily search and print off for good recording keeping.

If you ask for a check from either service, Xpressbet is fast, Youbet is very slow (unless you want it overnighted, for example). I sometimes worry about getting my money from Youbet, althought it's never been a problem (company stability issues)

So I've gotten some leads on other services, which I may pursue. But I don't think I"ll wager as much in 2008 on a regular basis as in past years.

Your actual mileage may vary :rolleyes:

Anyone use Twin Spires and if so, how is it?

Leo, I just signed up for it less than 2 weeks ago. No NYRA tracks, but it does have Tampa. Easy to use.

And contrary to what Scavs says...it does NOT have Balmoral:mad:

diamond sports.. no video but 8perc rebate..so get a twin spires or x bet acct then use d.s. to make your plays.it just makes sence.no w2s :D :D :D

I previously used Winticket.com, which now is TwinSpires.com. I'm a pretty big fan of it. Free pp's and video are a plus. The wagering screen is very easy to navigate. I love the detailed account history report, which will let you know how you have fared over any specified time period.

You cannot bet on the TVG exclusive tracks, but Twinspires offers just about any other track you can think of. I hear that NYRA may become available in the near future for wager only (no video).

Bottom line, with the current state of ADW's, you will need more than one account to cover all the tracks.

Youbet & Twinspires (to get CDI/Magna's that YB does not carry) for me. Been with Youbet for more years than I can remember with zero problems.

also i'm with twinspires, youbet, xpressbet. so for no problems with any of them. but need to check to see if your state allows online betting.

Free PP's....so even if you only bet ONE race from one of the tracks that you download, you still get the whole card free?

Bet one race from any track and you get free PPs for every track that day including the ones you can't even wager on there.

Is the EZMONEY part on twinspires hard to complete? I know it says that you have to complete the authorization and send a voided check to them, but I don't have a checkbook or any checks so how the hell would i do this?

If you've got a copier make a copy of said check and fax it and the form to twinspires.

It's EZ. LOL! ROFLMFFAO!

....sold.

Q:What bank account information will I need to set up the EZmoney account?

A:The system is based on a proven process of Automated Clearing House (ACH). This is similar to the process company employers use to direct deposit payroll checks. During the registration process, you will need to have your bank account number and bank routing number. You will also need a voided check or copy of your bank statement (for saving account) from the account that will be sent in with the signed Customer Agreement Form to our customer service office.

I bet yesterday on sportsbook.com I absolutely had to get a bet down on a horse and they take American CC. Worked great, I dont usually bet online so Im not sure how they stack up, but they served the purpose yesterday.

Diamond is part of the CRIS group, right? That includes Bookmaker.com.

The 8% is for exotics. It's 3% for WPS.

Diamond and Bookmaker are both "A" rated at Sportsbookreview.com.

Sportsbook.com is "D-" rated at Sportsbookreview.com. Here's why:

http://www.sportsbookreview.com/SR.a...Sportsbook.com

Here's a small part from that link:

"11/23/2007 04:08 PM

Sportsbook.com (SBR rating D-) steals $10,000 from player claiming he abused bonuses. The player took offered deposit bonuses over a three year period from three different books that are hosted and serviced under Sportsbook.com. Sportsbook.com classified accepting these bonuses as "bonus abuse" despite the fact that rules against accepting offers from the multiple Sportsbook.com-service books do not exist and that the player followed the listed terms of service when joining. Sportsbook.com confisctated the funds shortly after the player's profit grew beyond what he had received in bonuses over the life of these accounts. All bonus requirements were met and previously withdrawn. Sportsbook.com terms of service do not refer to a rule allowing the book to audit account and bonus history to see if promotions were used "in the spirit of the bonus." This has been a reoccurring complaint from Sportsbook.com users over the past few months. Sportsbook.com has used other illogical reasoning to take money back from winning users. SBR is currently collecting data on a player case where over $150,000 was confiscated. The timeline of player and book activity will be published early next week."



Not good.

--Dunbar

i'm really curious. how does one go thru life with no checking account?

I think hes only like 16

He's in college, you can do everything with a debit card or online. Checks are practically obsolete.

i use a debit card, but it comes out of my checking account.

You can also use a debit card from savings. When in college it is probably better to not be able to exceed your balance. This way you are not tempted to write a check when you know there are no funds to cover it. I do agree that it is unusual not to have a credit account, but it is possible in this day and age. Fifteen years ago it would have been difficult to get by in college without a checking account

I used to bet horses over sportsbook but the payouts were capped at 300-1. If that is still the case be careful with what sort of wagers you make on there as anything with potential payouts higher than 300-1 is pointless to bet on there.

I never said I didn't have a checking account, I said I do not have a checkbook. I use my debit card for everything, which comes straight out of my checking account, and is backed up by my savings account to save me from overdrawing. I said I do not have a checkbook, and never had a checkbook, so how would I send a voided check?

Get a checkbook?

Is Diamond new? I've never heard of them before. Have to do some due diligence on them. Is it 8% on everything or just on exotics like Bookmaker.com?

Irish, you may have a tough time with Twin Spires and Xpress bet if you live in MI. YouBet accepts new customers from MI. I had Xpress Bet 4 years ago but they claimed the state made them close out accounts based in MI. Our recession and population exodus are more of a priority in Lansing than any gambling expansion or equality for horse players.:mad:

You may need an IN PO box or relatives address to use some of the newer ADW sites.

Well that didn't take long for Twinspires to stick it to their loyal Brisbet customers:

TwinSpires Updated FREE PP Policy
TwinSpires is happy to announce the popular FREE BRIS PP promotion has been extended into 2008. Members will continue to receive complimentary past performances on every Thoroughbred track they wager on. As you may recall this is a return to the old FREE PP promo. In 2007 when you placed a wager you received FREE BRIS past performances for all Thoroughbred tracks for that same race date. Now the promotion is tied to the tracks you wager on. This new criteria will also be in play for the FREE Insider Picks & Power Plays. All and all it is still the best deal in racing. To learn more on how to take advantage of this incredible offer

TwinSpires
 

They are changing their policy in 2008 with the free pp's. They are going back to the old policy of the pp is free if you wager on the track. A $2 show bet will still get you the free pp for the track if you can't find anything to bet. The good news is that the service rep that I spoke to said NYRA will be a regular track again with video and on-line wagering effective Jan 1.