In a past life, I was the editor of a consumer publication that covered Internet gambling and I was consequently faced with the task of fielding complaints from disgruntled Net bettors. Nearly every complainer believed he was being ripped off, and most of those who believed they were getting ripped off thought so because they requested payment and did not receive it. The good news for the consumer is that most of the complaints were resolved.
But, what gives? Why so many mistaken victims?
When you walk into a sportsbook or a betting shop with a betting receipt and request payment on a winning bet, you receive it promptly. When you come up big playing blackjack or craps, you can expect to walk out of the casino with cash in your wallet. Even when you request payment for a winning telephone wager, you know that your account will be credited immediately and that you’ll have relatively quick access to your winnings.
Enter the era of Internet gambling. They say this Internet thing is all about convenience, but you’d be surprised how inconvenient it can be when it comes to getting your money.
Most Internet gambling services are operated out of the Caribbean, and many inexperienced Net bettors don’t quite understand that things don’t always move along quickly there.
Despite advancements in payment processing technology, winnings are still most often paid out via bank wires, money transfer services or personal checks. That means it’s up to the folks that run the site to either issue and mail a check or prompt their bank to wire the money. But the thing is, when those wheels get rolling on the islands, they don’t always roll quickly.
When you visit the islands, you leave concepts like haste and urgency behind, and this relaxed mentality …