As a result of a recent raid on a Pasay City building located along Williams Street conducted by a task force under the leadership of the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC) together with the Department of Justice, law enforcement officers in the Philippines have set free 731 workers. 

Most of them were Chinese, along with seven Filipinos, and other foreign workers. 

Operating Under Different Names

The operation was initiated after Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 35’ judge Maricris Pahate-Felixs issued a search warrant against operators Caic and Tein.

Smart Web was one of two Philippine Overseas Gaming Operation (POGO) companies that had their licenses revoked by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR). It was later discovered that the POGO company had chosen a different business name and was still offering its services to clients. 

The same company also had a new PAGCOR IGL, which is an Internet Gaming License issued to all offshore gaming companies accredited or issued a license to operate in the Philippines.

According to PAOCC, PAGCOR’s staff had failed to thoroughly assess the respective area after the guards on the site prevented the inspection team from doing its job. 

Senator Joel Villanueva was curious to know how the respective companies were still able to offer their services in spite of having their permits revoked. Villanueva called for an outright ban on businesses with close ties to criminal activities.

The head of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Sherwin Gatchalian recommended that POGOS would be immediately kicked out from the Philippines while also denouncing the gambling industry’s alleged ties with sex trafficking and sex slavery.

Gatchalian further added that PAGCOR failed to keep a close eye on the sector and that completely banishing the trade would be the only viable solution to stop the criminal activities connected to it.

Police data speaks about over 4,000 reports of POGO-related crimes, including human trafficking and kidnapping during the first six months of 2023. During the same period, authorities in the Philippines conducted 41,000 arrests tied to illegal gambling out of 50,000 nationwide police operations.

Criminal Charges and License Revocation Ahead

According to a PAOCC statement on the matter, as a consequence of the “abundance of evidence pointing to sex trafficking on said site,” the next step of the process will be the completion of an onsite inquest hearing necessary for filing criminal charges. 

During the raid on the self-contained operation, two male Chinese workers identified with the initials S.N. (27), and L.H.Y. (22) reached out to government officers and claimed they had been kept against their will at the premises. The two men also showed the authorities signs of physical torture on their bodies.

S.N. said he had been allegedly kidnapped and sold five months earlier for the amount of PHP500,000 ($10,000) from another POGO operation. L.H.Y. claimed he was being held there against his will for over a year and forced to work for 15 hours a day.

The 731 workers were rescued from the second floor of the building, where they were found in an aquarium-style viewing chamber part of a massage parlor. 

The authorities made six arrests during the raid, with charges of human trafficking and torture.

PAOCC also stated they would recommend that Smart Web Technology Corp.’s temporary license as an IGL operator be revoked on grounds of enabling human trafficking at their facility. 

The building, together with the rest of the assets under the ownership of Smart Web will also be referred for freezing and likely confiscated since they represent “illegal gains.” 

In August, the national police announced a nationwide crackdown on illegal cockfighting gambling which led to 1,245 individuals being placed under arrest.

In July, PAGCOR announced its intentions to clamp down on offshore gaming service providers with ties to human trafficking and cryptocurrency scams by raiding a suspect business in Las Piñas City in Metro Manila. 

The post Philippine Senate Reiterates Need for Offshore Operators Ban appeared first on Keno Wizard.

As a part of its efforts to protect Australian players against illegal online gambling, The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) keeps pushing internet service providers (ISPs) to continue blocking illegal offshore gambling companies. Operators found in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 are Wild Blaster and BetUS, two crypto-friendly platforms packed with an abundance of games.

Being an authority dedicated to keeping the local iGaming industry safe and well-organized, ACMA offers tons of handy bits of advice on how to protect from unlicensed gambling operators or file a complaint about an illegal site. Its website also contains the register of licensed wagering services, as well as the up-to-date list of gambling platforms that have already been blocked.

More Operators Bid Farewell to the AU iGaming Market

Found in breach of the Act, Wild Blaster and BetUS Casinos also ended up among the blocked platforms. Players from Australia will no longer be able to access either of these two sites, as they don’t run the business in accordance with the local gambling laws.

Only a month earlier, ACMA ordered ISPs to block five more gambling operators, as all of them were found operating illegally in the market. The casinos in question are Viperspin, Just Casino, Betandplay, Play Fina, and Comic Play Casino.

As a small reminder, the Authority made its first blocking in November 2019. To date, 863 illegal gambling and affiliate sites have been added to the fast-expanding list, making it impossible for those companies to offer their products and services to local clientele.

Having started to enforce new illegal offshore gambling rules in 2017, ACMA has so far requested 218 illegal services to withdraw from the AU market.

Continuous Battle Against Illegal Offshore Casinos

Website blocking is just one of the measures the Authority enforces to protect consumers from gambling on unlicensed platforms.

Most commonly, a gambling site can be blocked if it provides prohibited interactive services (online casinos, online slot games, in-play online sports betting, and similar). In addition to this, ISPs may cease one casino’s operation if it doesn’t hold a local license or in case of targeting Australian players via ads.

In November 2019, the AU government presented the idea for a nationwide self-exclusion register, aiming to minimize the harm caused by irresponsible gambling. As far as the official explained, the process is voluntary, and it allows individuals to halt online gambling activities for at least three months.

Also, in August this year, Australia launched a program called BetStop. The new self-exclusion register also allows consumers to take better control of their gambling habits and learn to make wiser decisions. Within just a single step, players can exclude themselves from all AU-licensed online and mobile wagering sites for a limited period of at least three months or permanently.

Another measure introduced is the idea to ban credit cards for gambling online. This topic has been discussed for a couple of years now but was never passed into law. As soon as it becomes effective, both operators and consumers will have six months to adjust, after which financial penalties will be imposed on those who fail to follow the ban.

Source: “More websites blocked to protect Australians against illegal online gambling”, acma.gov.au, October 25, 2023.

The post ACMA Requests 2 More Offshore Gambling Sites to Be Blocked appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the Australian government agency that oversees regulating online and media, has ordered another five offshore gambling websites to be blocked.

The websites in question are Viperspin, Just Casino, Betandplay, Play Fina and Comic Play Casino, which the Australian Communications and Media Authority found to have been operating illegally in Australia. The regulator announced that the respective websites breached the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority asked internet service providers in the country to block access to these online casinos, so when somebody tries to access them they will see a message from the government instead of the home page of the website.

ACMA released a statement in which it underlined once again that players from Australia who use such illegal gambling websites will not be protected by Australian laws. “This means our laws can’t help if something goes wrong, like if the service provider withholds winnings,” the regulator explained.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority can act against gambling websites that do not hold licenses to operate in the country or if they offer prohibited services such as online slot games or in-play sports betting. Moreover, publishing ads for another website that is unlicensed or runs prohibited services is also forbidden and can lead to ACMA requesting the respective publisher to be blocked.

835 Websites Blocked and Counting

Before this latest blocking request, the Australian Communications and Media Authority had successfully blocked 830 gambling and affiliate websites. The regulator also determined 215 services to exit the Australian market since ACMA began to crack down on illegal offshore gambling in 2017.

Last month, ACMA ordered the blocking of Crown Pokies and Play AUD, which the regulator deemed as operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. In July, the Australian Communications and Media Authority blocked another five websites: Reef Reels, Royal Reels, Ricky Casino, Slots Gallery and Slotastic.

June was by far the most prolific month of the year for ACMA as it blocked no less than 12 websites that month, after having managed to shut down another three websites in May 2023.

Source: “ACMA orders blocking of five more offshore gambling websites“. iGaming Business. September 20, 2023.

The post ACMA Blocks Another Five Offshore Gambling Websites appeared first on Keno Wizard.

In its latest action, ACMA has identified five offshore gambling websites – Viperspin, Just Casino, Betandplay, Play Fina, and Comic Play Casino – operating in breach of Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The authority has been steadily intensifying its efforts, hoping to curb illegal offshore gambling activities within the country. 

ACMA Intensifies Its Efforts as Violations Remain Rampant

The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 is the cornerstone of Australia’s regulatory framework for online gambling. This legislation aims to protect Australian consumers by ensuring that only licensed operators can offer gambling services within the country. The Act also prohibits unlicensed overseas providers from targeting Australian players, directing them to more secure alternatives.

Australians who use illegal gambling services are not protected by Australian laws.

ACMA statement

215 illegal gambling services have ceased operating in the country since ACMA began enforcing its new stricter regulations. This latest round of blocking requests brings the total number of gambling and affiliate websites prohibited in Australia to 835. The frequency of bans has dramatically increased in 2023, with the ACMA adding new companies to the list almost monthly.

ACMA remains crucial in enforcing Australia’s gambling regulations, particularly online. The authority first identifies and investigates offshore operators operating illegally in the country. Once these companies are confirmed to be breaching local laws, ACMA takes legal action, including requesting ISPs to block access to their websites.

International Cooperation May Be the Only Long-Term Solution

Website blocking is an extreme measure, usually reserved for illegal operators. The ACMA also actively oversees the regulated market, delivering milder punishments for offenses like licensing issues, advertising violations, or offering prohibited services. The authority treats all operators equally and is unafraid to go after even high-profile companies.

Despite the ACMA’s ceaseless efforts, the Australian market remains beset with offshore operators. The authority recently asked for help from the Curaçao government, as Curaçao-based online gambling companies remain a pressing problem in Australia. These operators have demonstrated no intention to exit the local market willingly and routinely attempt to circumvent restrictions, necessitating international cooperation.

The authority’s proactive approach to identifying and banning illegal operators reflects its commitment to safeguarding Australian consumers. However, legislative issues related to offshore enforcement mean the ACMA can only take limited measures, enacting local bans by ISPs while the offending companies continue running rampant. Despite these challenges, the authority’s ongoing efforts remain instrumental in shaping Australia’s gambling landscape.

The post ACMA Remains Vigilant, Blocking Five More Offshore Gambling Websites appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Ahead of New Zealand’s general elections, planned for October, intense competition is expected. Amid concerns about increasing inflation, high taxes and high-interest rates, the National Party and Labor Party are expected to clash but who will be the winner remains to be seen. On Wednesday this week, the National Party uncovered details regarding an extensive reform on taxes and confirmed its plans to implement it, in case they win the upcoming elections, a report released by the Otago Daily Times reveals.

One major change included within the National’s reform is the taxation of offshore online gambling. Currently, TAB NZ, as well as the New Zealand Lottery Commissions are the only regulated gambling options available for customers in New Zealand. Despite that, under the existing regulations gambling via offshore online operators is not illegal. However, given that online offshore gambling websites are not regulated this means that they do not pay taxes. By implementing changes to taxation, the National Party seeks to close this gap and benefit from millions in tax revenue from online gambling activities.

Additionally, the party hinted at plans to implement a 15% tax applicable to foreign buyers of houses. Still, under the proposed change, that tax would apply for properties that are valued at more than AU$2 million ($1.3 million).

A Balanced and Prudent Tax Plan

Upon announcing the new tax policy, Christopher Luxon, National’s leader, said: “This plan confirms that a National government can do what we’ve said all along that we will do, which is to put money in the back pockets of New Zealanders as part of a prudent, fully funded and balanced tax plan.”

The new tax plan, called Back Pocket Boost undoubtedly represents an important change to the taxation model in the country. Nicola Willis, finance spokesperson, revealed that the tax plan seeks to reduce pressure on inflation while at the same time removing the need for borrowing. “It has been designed to be self-funding so that National can guarantee tax relief for working people, even if Labor leaves the government books in a mess, as is predicted,” she explained.

According to Willis, if the National Party wins the upcoming election, it will focus on boosting the funding for education every year. Additionally, she said the party commits to boosting funding for frontline health. Willis criticized the Labor government for the “sheer volume of government spending.” Besides the spending, she showed concern about the present situation where people are forced to pay higher taxes and costs associated with food, rent and petrol, among other increasing expenses.

The post New Zealand: National Party Wants to Tax Offshore Online Gambling appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Several years ago, Australia implemented tough rules against illegal offshore gambling websites. Since then, the country’s regulatory body responsible for the regulation of telecommunications, broadcasting and radiocommunications, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has been constantly monitoring the online gambling sector and enforcing bans against operators that were found to offer their services illegally.

On Wednesday this week, the Authority urged internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to more illegal offshore gambling websites. This time, ACMA asked ISPs to block access to websites that included Play AUD and Crown Pokies.

Prior to calling for the ban, ACMA conducted investigations into the operation of the aforementioned websites. Consequently, the regulatory agency explained that the two websites offered their services in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and urged access to their websites to be restricted.

“Australian internet service providers (ISPs) have been requested to block access to more illegal offshore gambling websites including Crown Pokies and Play AUD. These services have been found to be in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 following investigations by the ACMA,“

reads a statement released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority

The Authority reminded customers that using illegal gambling websites poses a risk to their personal data and funds. This is because users of offshore or illegal operators are not protected by Australian laws.

Additionally, ACMA warned that illegal providers may withhold winnings. The regulatory watchdog explained that a full list of the licensed online gambling providers can be found on its website. It also encouraged users to report illegal gambling providers.

The Authority Continues to Monitor the iGaming Market

Since 2017 when ACMA started enforcing the new rules against illegal offshore gambling operators, more than 210 such companies voluntarily withdrew their services from the market.

Still, the Authority continues to monitor the iGaming sector and only recently, requested ISPs to block four illegal gambling websites. Earlier this summer, in June, ACMA urged internet service providers to ban access to 12 illegal offshore websites. The proactive measures taken by the Authority are effective and since it started monitoring the online gambling sector, to date, it has banned more than 820 illegal gambling affiliates and online gambling websites.

The post ACMA Asks ISPs to Ban More Illegal Offshore Gambling Websites appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Jamie Nettleton, partner at the Australian law firm Addisons, spoke with Inside Asian Gaming about the dangers of banning online gambling advertising. According to him, such a drastic move would channel players toward the dangerous black market.

A recent parliamentary report in Australia proposed the gradual ban of online gambling ads. Under the proposal, ads will be banned in four phases. During the first one, online gambling inducements and advertising on social media will be prohibited.

The second phase would see all online gambling advertising and commentary on odds banned during sports broadcasts, as well as an hour before and after them. In-stadia and player jersey sponsorships will also be prohibited.

The third phase would prohibit the airing of online gambling advertising between 6 am and 10 pm. Finally, the fourth and final phase would introduce a blanket ban on iGaming advertising and sponsorship, with the exception of advertising on dedicated racing and betting channels.

Nettleton Says the Ban Would Benefit the Black Market

During his interview with the news outlet, Nettleton commented on the theoretical effect a blanket ban on advertising may have. He noted that taking ads out of the equation would endanger the business of legal companies.

Stacking restrictions, such as a ban on ads, restrictions on what products can be offered, tight KYC requirements and rising taxes will make regulated companies less competitive than their offshore counterparts, Nettleton argued.

As a result, many players may prefer playing with unlicensed foreign brands. Nettleton believes that what defines a licensed company is “access to the market.” Access to the market, according to him, is not just having customers but also being able to market to those customers, allowing them to keep on coming.

Nettleton pointed out that other regulated jurisdictions have also introduced certain restrictions on advertising but few to the same extent as what is being proposed in Australia.

“Those Who Recognize a Good Price Will Find Better Odds and Utilize Them”

While Nettleton acknowledged that Australia’s Gambling Law prohibits offshore operators from operating in Australia, he added that it isn’t illegal for Australians to participate in games offered by black market companies.

And speaking of law and regulation, Nettleton also expressed his skepticism about the proposals to establish a nationwide gambling regulator, replacing the current state-based model. In his view, such a move may create more problems than solutions as conflicts between the states are sure to sprout up.

I mean, how is NSW going to justify continuing its Point of Consumption tax if there is a national regulator generating levies? How is that going to work out? Product fees are also issued at a state level, and no one will want to give up the golden goose.

Jamie Nettleton, partner at Addisons

When asked whether he believes such a regulator will be established, Nettleton replied that he cannot say anything with certainty. However, the analyst is highly doubtful of the proposed timeframe.

The post Jamie Nettleton: Banning Ads Will Benefit Offshore Operators appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The sports betting market is growing rapidly, with new sportsbooks springing on every corner of the Internet. Today, we will take a look at the best offshore sportsbooks that accept players from the US and around the world. The list of offshore sports betting sites below includes some of the most trusted brands that offer the best odds and range of sports markets to bet on.

Top-Ranked Offshore Sports Betting Sites

1

3962 players claimed the offer this month

2

3281 players claimed the offer this month

3

3770 players claimed the offer this month

4

4070 players claimed the offer this month

5

5426 players claimed the offer this month

6

3135 players claimed the offer this month

1. BetOnline

BetOnline is one of the biggest brands in offshore betting, having offered competitive odds and markets for many years now. The brand was established in 2004 and has been rapidly scaling its global reach, covering mainstream sports, political betting, entertainment programs betting, and electronic sports. The site brings a tight offer of offshore sports betting markets, bonuses, and great customer service. Let’s take a closer look.

Bonus Offer

The BetOnline welcome bonus will have players access a 50% deposit bonus up to $1,000, which will charge your account right away. Sports fans are welcome to access a number of other bonuses as well, including the 100% crypto bonus with bonus code CRYPTO100. BetOnline also offers a $25 risk-free player prop and a $100 overtime insurance promo. The site updates its bonuses frequently under the Promos section.

Betting Markets & Odds

In terms of sports variety, you can expect to find a broad variety of in-play and pre-game wagers, across numerous sports. BetOnline covers a large selection of offshore sports betting markets, including all main sports such as basketball, football, baseball, hockey, golf, martial arts, soccer, and tennis, among others. BetOnline features a strong selection of “other options” such as boxing, auto racing, Aussie rules, and a few more niche markets, such as financials, entertainment, lottery, and of course, politics. There is a lot to try at BetOnline, including same-game parlays and odds boosters.

Customer Service

Customer support is excellent at BetOnline. Sports fans will have the option to connect with the sportsbook through the Live Chat feature or look for a solution at the FAQ or Help Center pages. You can expect to get help 24/7 and have any questions you may currently have about BetOnline answered promptly.

2. BetUS

BetUS is a privately-held company and one of the biggest offshore sports betting companies that currently serve global markets. It was established in 2020 and is considered to be one of the leading offshore sportsbooks today. The website enjoys a strong pull with betting audiences, offers competitive odds, and brings value to all bets fans make. The platform covers everything from pro football to college sports, to NASCAR, and more.

Bonus Offer

BetUS offers an excellent promotional offer of 125% up to $3,125 as part of the welcome package, making for a very big bonus amount you can scoop up right at the start. If you are looking to bet with bigger sums, BetUS may be just the right place for you. The platform features a whole lot of other bonuses as well, including a 200% crypto bonus triggered with the JOIN200 promo code.

A dedicated 100% Crypto Sports Bonus is available with SU100CRYPT bonus code and a 20% cash bonus with 20CASH promo code. The promotions are updated frequently and you can track these updates through the dedicated section. On top of this, BetUS also offers Contests and Loyalty campaigns to make the experience even more fun for offshore bettors.

Betting Markets & Odds

There is a lot BetUS offers in terms of sports betting markets. The offshore sportsbook will provide you with a range of online sports betting markets for football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer, and more. All sports are listed on the left-hand side of the desktop platform or in an intuitive dropdown menu for mobile.

You can choose from more than 30 betting markets, including mainstream and niche markets, such as politics, entertainment, and esports. There is even a section called novelty, which allows you to push the experience a notch further and bet on even more exciting markets.

Players will be able to access pre-game and live bets, bet on player props, and place parlays, as some of the most popular and challenging wagers. All of this comes with competitive offshore betting odds that are priced to offer great value to sports fans.

Customer Service

Customer support at BetUS is spot-on and it’s one of the best when it comes to staying in touch with the sportsbook. Players are able to connect via several options, including live chat but also by calling directly at 1 (888) 512-3887. There are multiple social media channels that are active and work well, and you may further reach out to the sportsbook if you think there is a reason to. In our experience, the live chat and phone line work well and provide you with quick solutions.

3. SportsBetting.ag

So far sports betting online goes, SportsBetting.ag is one of the most trusted offshore sportsbooks available on the market. The company set foot in the online betting space in 2003 and has been a fixture ever since. Today, you get to access a number of live and pre-game betting markets that make it easy for you to navigate some of the best markets and odds, place player props and team parlays as you see fit, and enjoy a robust sports betting experience from start to finish. There are tons of worthwhile features, great customer support, an excellent welcome bonus offer, and other loyalty options to get you rolling from the very start.

Bonus Offer

SportsBetting.ag features a neat bonus that will get you started right from the get-go. The 50% sports welcome bonus is a match bonus up to $1,000 and is claimed with the SB1000 bonus code. All you need to do to claim the bonus is to sign up at the offshore sportsbook and place a minimum deposit worth $55. The bonus will then be subject to a 10x rollover requirement. You need to complete the bonus in 30 days and claim any winnings thereof.

SportsBetting.ag also offers other bonuses, including the 100% Crypto 1^st time bonus and 10% Bitcoin Boost. Players are also able to get 25% and 30% Reload Bonuses activated with their own promo codes. The difference is that one of the bonuses will reload crypto and the other FIAT currency.

Betting Markets & Odds

In terms of sports betting market variety, you have nothing to worry about. SportsBetting.ag offers you a solid choice of online sports betting markets with more than 30 different sports and categories to choose from. Popular choices here include baseball, basketball, football, hockey, golf, martial arts, soccer, and many others.

Sports fans are also offered a great chance to check out Player and Game Props, Futures, and go through a very long list of Other Sports. The website also supports more betting categories that will appeal to those of you who are not only interested in sports.

Among those are Politics and Lottery bets, but there are similar Financials and Entertainment choices. A big highlight of the offshore sports betting offer at SportsBetting.ag is the Same Game Parlays, which lead to some pretty cool opportunities to place a bet and benefit from your knowledge of a particular match-up. Besides that, there are also the Odds Boosters, and naturally – you can bet on in-play and pre-game events.

Customer Support

To get in touch with SportsBetting.ag, all you need to do is place a call at 1-888-843-9027 if you want to call directly. The website also has a Live Chat available so if you prefer to just chat to a customer agent, you can do that as well. Customer service is available 24/7, the company assures. We have play tested to confirm ourselves. You can similarly go straight up and email support.

4. Bovada

Bovada is owned by Harp Media B.V. and is one of the longest-standing offshore sports betting sites you can access from the United States. The website was previously known as Bodog in the period between 2004 and 2010 and rebranded as Bovada in 2011. Bovada is ranked as one of the largest sportsbooks that is available around the globe, and it is licensed by Curacao eGaming. The brand has redesigned its website to be intuitive, fast, and easy to navigate. Bovada offers some of the most competitive sports betting odds on a variety of events, making it easy for sports fans to find true added-value fixtures and sports betting markets.  

Bonus Offer

Bovada will welcome you to a solid 50% match bonus of up to $250. The bonus is available on your first deposit only, and it has a 5x sports rollover requirement – which makes it one of the best sign-up offers you can get. To claim any winnings, you need to meet the wagering requirements within 30 days of claiming the bonus amount.

Bovada similarly offers you a $750 crypto welcome bonus. This is a 75% bonus and it’s activated with the sports bonus code: BTCSWB750. Once again, you have a 5x rollover requirement for the bonus and need to clear it within 30 days of placing your first deposit and claiming the bonus. The website offers other bonuses and perks along the way, including a Refer a Friend Program and Rewards Points Loyalty Program.

Betting Markets & Odds

The value of Bovada’s online sports betting odds is where the website truly shines. Bovada’s trading team is one of the best, with constant updates and a lot of action going on on the website. You can tell that the brand is determined to bring you some of the best odds in the industry, as with most of the top offshore sportsbooks.

Bovada always features Trending Events to offer you a quick breakdown of what you may enjoy. Among those are the NBA, MLB, the NHL, The Masters, England Premier League, Spain Copa del Rey, ATP Tennis, WTA Tennis, and more. The website similarly features Trump Specials – a dedicated section for former President Donald Trump, his political aspirations, and legal battles.

Bovada is in the habit of covering such events and personalities, with a good focus on political and entertaining betting. The site similarly runs pre-game and in-play wagers, bringing you coverage of all major events. Apart from the above-mentioned markets, there are also virtual sports and esports – one is simulated real sports, and the other is video games. All in all, Bovada runs a solid variety of sports betting markets for you to enjoy and explore!

Customer Support

Bovada is always happy to help out as well. There is a dedicated Help section that offers you a quick FAQ breakdown of everything that you may need answers to. Bovada customer support is available also via email, and it’s there 24/7. Most queries are going to receive a prompt reply with the Help section still proving an important source of information for everything that you need to know in the meantime.

5. MyBookie.ag

MyBookie is another fairly new sportsbook licensed in Curacao and set up in 2014. Since it was launched, the offshore sportsbook has come a long way, consistently improving its odds over the years. While there are clearly some things to be improved upon, MyBookie is a good point of reference when it comes to odds.

The sportsbook has a quick pricing model that offers value betting opportunities along the way. We are not sure how well sharp bettors would enjoy this website, but recreational sports fans have few things to care about. As to the overall User Interface and Experience, MyBookie holds its end well, providing players with a swift and reliable platform.

Bonus Offer

MyBookie has a good way to get you started. The initial deposit bonus is 50% up to $1,000, which is a great sign-up bonus all in all. There is a 10x rollover requirement that makes things fairly easy although we have to admit – there are some welcome bonuses that are much quicker and simpler. The only thing we really don’t like about the offer is the use of “free play” for the bonus money, as you need to deposit it in order to trigger the bonus amount. It’s not exactly free.

Still, we think the bonusing system is well-developed at MyBookie. It includes an 8% horse rebate, and 25% sports reload. There are also 200% referral bonuses, which are a great way to bring your friends over and get something out as well. All in all, the promotions found here are among the best of all offshore sports betting sites.

Betting Markets & Odds

MyBookie does a good job of keeping the odds list together. The website offers a good variety of parlays, teasers, and straight bets, contributing to a strong overall variety of options you can take. The odds coefficients can be indeed improved upon, but in terms of the pure variety of betting markets available, MyBookie does well.

A good thing about the pricing model here is that MyBookie clearly puts a lot of effort into making sure that it covers a variety of events and does so with equal interest in big and small sports, providing niche-seekers with the opportunity to connect with their favorite sports right on the spot. The sportsbook covers both traditional sports as well as some of the more unorthodox markets, such as politics and financial betting.

Customer Support

MyBookie takes pride in the fact that whenever you need help with your online sports betting, the team will be there for you – 24/7. Sports bettors will get a fantastic treatment, with quick answers, and feedback. All you need to do is send an email through the contact form and look forward to a swift response. If you prefer, though, you can reach out via live chat as well.

6. XBet

XBet is another prominent offshore sportsbook in the online betting industry. The website is licensed by the Curacao eGaming Commission, and it was launched in 2014. The sportsbook is one of the most competitive you will find out there on the market, making for a great variety of odds, competitive markets, and wager types. All of this put together provides players with a solid variety of options to enjoy as they seek to optimize their next wager and place with the best odds possible. XBet sportsbook is available for both mobile and desktop devices, making it a fantastic experience from start to finish. Let’s take a closer look now.

Bonus Offer

The starter’s offer at XBet is definitely something that you need to look into. The offshore sportsbook bonus is $500 on your first deposit. This comes with a 7x rollover requirement, which is actually pretty decent. The matched rate you can claim the bonus at is 50%, and not the standard 100% for this type of bonus, but this is still okay, as the rate and clearance conditions are pretty good.

There are also other promotions you can explore at XBet to make your offshore sports betting experience even better. For example, you have the 7% horse rebate and a sports reload bonus of up to $250. These bonuses are quick and easy to use and claim, making for a smooth betting experience right from the start.

Betting Markets & Odds

The sports betting markets at XBet are optimized to provide you with a decent variety of competitive odds, wager types, and sports. All three boxes are checked with the sportsbook which strives to always bring you some of the most satisfying outcomes no matter what sports you want to wager on.

There are tons of parlays, teasers, and straight bets to choose from with XBet, giving you a complete and wholesome variety of options to enjoy. The offshore sportsbook runs many sports-specific brackets and markets. Player proposition bets or player props as they are known to the public are also very popular with this sportsbook, making for a fun experience from start to finish.

There is usually anything between 50-100 props per game, which is actually quite neat. Spread, Moneyline and Total wagers usually tend to be in focus here for the most part, but you can look up more wagers under each game and match.

Customer Support

XBet’s customer support is a great way to connect with the betting operator and have your queries answered. Players who are looking to find out more about the sportsbook would be able to fire up a live chat or call directly on a phone line. The support agents are there 24/7 and they will help you sort out any query you may have about the website.

How We Pick and Review Offshore Betting Sites

With so many great sportsbooks to go around, reviewing offshore sports betting sites may prove a little daunting at first glance. Thankfully, you don’t have to do any of the hard work as we have a dedicated team of industry experts with extensive understanding and insight into the industry.

As a result, we can bring you the best offshore sportsbooks and give you specific reasons why some simply outperform the rest. With a combined experience of over 60 years in the gambling industry, our experts take a look at several important aspects of the offshore gambling sites we bring to your attention.

Reputation and Public Opinion

Because the topic of offshore betting is always a little divisive, we have established over the years that for a sportsbook in this vertical to be successful, it would need to fulfill certain prerequisites. One of those is establishing a sterling reputation that makes sportsbooks a familiar and trusted partner in offshore gambling. To achieve this, every betting site will have to meet high consumer standards and expectations and offer an impeccable online sports betting experience. We thoroughly review public opinion and use it to create our own rankings.

Fairness of Odds and Lines

Because there is no central regulatory authority in most cases, offshore betting sites must live up to high standards of fairness and integrity. Offshore sportsbook odds must be competitive with the ones offered on the mainland. They are often even better to make such betting sites competitive. However, the best offshore sportsbooks pay smaller taxes, which allows them to adjust the odds and offer smaller vigorish fees, which makes it rather easy for them to establish a strong reputation and fair odds and lines. We make sure to double-check for these as we go along.

Security and Safety

Since offshore sportsbooks are not located in the country in most cases, US players and players from around the world are often wary of how safe a sportsbook is. As it turns out, they have some of the highest standards of safety and security. They ensure that all their pages are SSL encrypted, and often, they even call upon third-party auditors to verify the fairness of the odds and payouts. This is a crucial moment for offshore bookmakers to build up their reputation, and they strive to uphold draconian safety measures.

Offshore Betting Bonuses and Promotions

Just like anywhere else, offshore sportsbook bettors are keen to get their hands on a variety of promotions. Whether it’s a deposit bonus, a first deposit welcome bonus, risk-free wagers, or some other option, bonuses play a crucial role in sports bettors. While they are not the most important aspect of the sports gambling experience, bonuses still help us read whether a sportsbook means well to its players or is trying to take advantage of them. Top offshore betting sites have excellent promotions that involve a great welcome bonus and a generous risk-free wager that can be both used quickly and without any issues.

Sports Variety and Markets

Another important aspect of the online sports betting experience is the variety of markets. Bettors are keen to place a variety of sports bets that include money lines, totals, spreads, prop bets, and others. That is why we make sure to always check if an offshore sportsbook satisfies these expectations before recommending it. Sports variety is equally important to us, and we will look at whether all main sports have been covered, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, and many others. Variety is crucial to the success of online sports betting sites, and that is what we expect to find.

What Is Offshore Betting?

Offshore sportsbooks began appearing back in the 1990s when the hunger for quality sports betting action was high, and there were a few alternatives. Operators realized that they could set up shop at places such as Costa Rica and create online sportsbooks that service customers from around the world. As a result, sportsbooks began catering to a global audience, with bettors coming from North and South America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.

The status of ‘offshore’ has been challenged on several occasions, but to this date, the best offshore betting sites are up and running precisely because they do not break any specific laws. Essentially, an online sportsbook in Costa Rica serves as a betting shop that people visit. Instead of traveling to the venue, though, they can simply place their sports bets remotely.

For this matter, offshore sportsbooks are considered to be legitimate businesses, and offshore gambling is a fair choice for anyone who wants to set up an online betting account and get access to even more odds, markets, and betting opportunities.

Offshore betting is set up for entertainment purposes only, and sportsbooks based in the Isle of Man, Curacao, or Costa Rica still acknowledge and honor gambling laws in individual countries by focusing on jurisdictions that do not formally object to offshore sportsbook gambling.

Offshore vs. Regular Sports Betting Odds

As we briefly mentioned odds in our reviewing process, it’s time to take a slightly closer look at the betting lines and how they fare when we compare offshore betting sites with mainland ones. As explained earlier, offshore sportsbooks have slightly more favorable markets when it comes to odds. This is thanks to several reasons. For starters, unlike US sports betting sites, offshore bookmakers often have to pay a little less in terms of tax (or no tax at all).

That allows them to be more competitive when drafting up the lines and odds. Secondly, they have fewer actual regulatory objections to deal with. While college sports betting on the NCAAB or NCAAF may be the cause of some concern in some states, offshore bookmakers can make sure that they draft markets for those events without having to worry about anything. In terms of available markets, you are bound to have pretty much the same options as mentioned before.

You will have moneylines, but the vigorish at offshore sportsbooks will probably be smaller. So, instead of paying $110 to win $100, you may end up paying $105 to win $100. There are spreads, totals, and proposition bets all worth your while, as well as bets that are specific to sports such as baseball and hockey. Overall, the odds at offshore sports betting sites are spot on, and they provide you with a fair market where you can make use of betting over the Internet and extract the best possible value from your wagers.

Reasons to Bet at Offshore Sportsbooks

There are many distinct advantages why you would want to choose the top offshore online sportsbooks. These betting sites are built in a way that can cater to US players, but then again, they can cater to anyone else in the world. The welcome bonus at most such sites is universally good, and you can find great odds and sports, including horse racing, to really add to the joy of the experience. Here, we will list several reasons why we believe offshore sportsbooks bring so much to the table and why you would benefit from betting at any of them.

Competitive Odds

As mentioned before, offshore sportsbooks have one excellent advantage -competitive odds. The odds are often a bit better than mainstream bookmakers precisely because there is less red tape to get in the way. As a result, sports fans are able to benefit from competitive lines and fixtures that will add value to every possible bet you can make, whether you are betting on live events, pre-game, or future markets.

New Opportunities

Once again, offshore sportsbooks tend to excel when it comes to market variety. Online gambling makes it easy and quick to track a variety of sports that appeal not just to US players but also to the broader global betting crowd. As a result, markets such as NCAAB and NCAAF, and even esports, are thoroughly featured at offshore betting sites, which makes it very easy for you to have an entire plateau of betting choices at your beck and call. You can browse through any market you wish and place a wager that you feel comfortable with.

Better Vigorish

Offshore sportsbooks come with better vigor. The vig is the fee that is charged on top of your every bet – that’s how a sportsbook makes its revenue. However, the vigorish at offshore betting sites is much better for a number of reasons. For starters, betting sites located outside of the mainland are subject to a much better tax regime, which allows them to be more generous when it comes to drafting lines and offering a competitive sports betting experience.

Remote Access

While local regulation may obstruct the introduction of intuitive sports betting options such as mobile betting, you can rest assured that offshore sports betting is focused on the consumer. As such, mobiles are ALWAYS an option offshore, and you will be able to access a betting site directly from your desktop computer or smartphone. All top offshore sportsbooks are available on mobile and can be bet on interactively from afar.

Quick Banking

A crucial component of any offshore sportsbook is its ability to deliver quick banking options. Your first deposit, whether it’s done with a credit card or e-wallet, should always clear quickly, and that is precisely what bookmakers do. You can enjoy instant banking that will provide you with the funds necessary to bet online on your favorite sports in no time. You can manage your deposits quickly and easily by using the right banking options.

Is Offshore Sports Gambling Legal?

Understandably, the legality of offshore betting and gambling as a whole is a recurring issue. The majority of sports bettors worry that there may be some legal reason not to access sports betting websites. For the most part, there is none. Unless a regulator has exclusively banned a website from accessing your area of living, you may rest assured that it’s technically legal for you to play an offshore sportsbook.

A popular example explains that offshore betting sites are like visiting these websites in places like Costa Rica or the Isle of Man. This is an imperfect way to put it, and these websites are “a grey area” at best. However, they are not to YOU as a sports bettor. You can access your account, enjoy tons of selections and claim various bonuses free of worry that you have any responsibility to carry.

The onus is on sportsbooks to make sure that their offers are compliant with local regulations. Naturally, you should pay attention to whether a bookmaker has had any head-butting with local regulators as this may presage a ban for the website from your area. However, it’s safe to say that participating in sports gambling contests at offshore betting sites is completely legal from the standpoint of someone who places wagers.

FAQ

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The rowdy streamers’ professed love for streaming slots has extended beyond Twitch, as the platform and its chief executive officer, Dan Clancy, have taken a much harder look at what gambling content must be allowed onto the Amazon-owned giant.

Twitch CEO Debates on The Validity of Gambling Content on the Platform

Twitch has been muddling through reform for gambling content, introducing a dedicated policy that has people stream in the Slots category, one of the highest-grossing and most watched on the platform, but the company also pressed on with another measure – its decision to suspend streams that promote specific gambling websites.

Essentially, brands such as Stake.com and Rollbit.com are no longer allowed to be streamed, which has prompted the former to take matters into its own hands and introduce a dedicated streaming platform, Kick, which has been gaining followers and viewers exponentially.

This comes at a time when Clancy is doubling down on his decision, and the company’s guidance and direction, that in order to have a casino website streamed on Twitch, it must have been regulated by a government agency.

He specifically seems to suggest an agency based in the United States and has criticized offshore gambling sites, that is sites that do not have a license to operate in the country. Clancy spoke during an interview with Filian, a VTube streamer, and said:

The thing that was growing was these unregulated offshore gambling sites. These are sites that there’s nobody overlooking to see, for example, what are the odds on the craps tables, are they tweaking them, do they change them, cause they’re not regulated.

Twitch CEO Dan Clancy

No Objection Against Gambling in General

He further explained that there were significant amounts of money being forwarded towards those gambling sites, originating from Twitch, which the executive said was not something the platform thought was good for its communities. Clancy, though, argues that streaming gambling as a concept is perfectly reasonable and that Twitch has no strong aversion to the institution of gambling as long as it’s done correctly.

However, Clancy is also somewhat vague in what websites that are now deemed to be not a good fit to be shown on Twitch streams would have to do in order to qualify. He argues that should those sites become regulated, and “are willing to adhere to the regulations of most major countries,” they would be acceptable on the platform.

Then again, this doesn’t really introduce clarity in the debate as the United States, for example, does not care if a website is regulated in the United Kingdom. In fact, every individual state may press a claim against sites that target their own citizens without a license.  

The post Twitch CEO Weighs In on Gambling on Stream and Offshore Sites appeared first on Keno Wizard.

An independent report in Australia claims that by 2027 illegal gambling could cost nearly AU$3 billion ($1.99 billion) in lost taxes and product fees, urging authorities to take appropriate action to prevent the losses.

New Regulation Should Be Evidence-Based

The Australia Offshore Wagering Market Analysis 2023 Report states that by 2027 racing and sports bodies in the country are set to lose AU$1.6 billion ($1.1 billion) from product fees, with another AU$1.3 billion ($861 million) lost in taxes.

Commenting on the report findings, recently appointed chief executive officer of Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), Kai Cantwell, outlined that any further regulations on the legal wagering industry should be evidence-based and take into consideration the views expressed by the industry, sporting bodies and broadcasters.

“It is crucial that any future reforms are balanced and prevent Australian players from being driven offshore, where player protections are limited,” he said, adamant that “failure to maintain a sustainably regulated sports betting market could result in a significant loss of economic benefits to the Australian economy, as well as to the sporting, racing, and broadcasting industries.”

Prepared by independent data analytics firm H2 Gambling Capital on behalf of Responsible Wagering Australia, the peak body for the licensed wagering service providers in the country, the report also estimates that currently, the offshore market in Australia is approximately 15% of the total market and worth more than AU$1.1 billion ($728 million).

Taking advantage that they do not have to pay tax revenues or product fees, the offshore operators are offering more competitive pricing to Australians compared to their legal counterparts. As a result of offshore firms aggressively targeting locals, the number of their websites increased almost twofold in the past four years, the report highlighted.

Advertising Helps Players Recognize Offshore Firms

The report also urges that a broad and fair onshore market licensing system that favors licensed operators” is maintained as the offshore market, once established, is hard to eradicate. And Data shows that the offshore market is not only established but growing.

Turning to the subject of gambling advertising, the analysis claims that any prevention of advertising and marketing from legal operators will have a negative impact as players would not be able to distinguish between legal and illegal websites.

The lack of advertising for legal operators will also place them at a disadvantage to their competitors offshore which are utilizing affiliate websites to advertise their products and services regularly and those affiliates are located outside of the country and hard to police.

“RWA and its members look forward to the outcomes of the House of Representatives Inquiry into Online Gambling and will continue to work with government to discuss sensible measures that ensure that the six million Australians who enjoy a punt can do so safely,” Cantwell concluded.

The post RWA Report Projects AU$3B Lost to Offshore Operators by 2027 appeared first on Keno Wizard.