The sports handicapping websites “guarantee” scams have seemingly evolved into their own industry over the past few years. The number of websites making exorbitant promises are akin to get-rich schemes– the equivalent of any rudimentary online scams we have seen come into fruition in recent times. Today, it seems there are far more of these scams than reputable handicappers offering their services on in the internet. However, rather than paint with a broad brush and eliminate them all, amateur gamblers should take the time to figure out how to distinguish the real handicappers from the frauds.
Experienced bettors understand that there really are no guarantees when it comes to gambling. The word “guarantee” should serve as an immediate red flag for people looking for a reputable handicapper online. People with experience typically avoid making promises or guarantees because they already understand how volatile sports gambling can be. Reputation is everything in this industry, no professional handicapper can sustain success by ripping people off or making false claims. Even further, professionals in the sports gambling industry tend to be a tight-knit group, it doesn’t take long for these aggressive individuals to out fraudulent activity or claims.
Handicappers and professional gamblers typically embrace competition– this is the nature of the position. However, because betting is involved, maintaining integrity is typically the highest priority on any professionals hierarchy of principles. So when you have multiple professionals established in the industry calling someone out or claiming fraud, its highly likely that the conjecture is warranted. Established professionals in the sports gambling industry are often the most reliable source of whistleblowers. The most successful bettors embrace the responsibility of policing their own industry as a means to mitigate the negative stigma attached to sports betting in the United States.
Even major media companies are susceptible to the fraudulent activity surrounding the sports betting and handicapping industry. In response to the increasing popularity of sports betting in the United States, CNBC announced that a new show, “Money Talks” was in the works during 2013. The premise of the show centers on following an established handicapper who narrates the intricacies of the sports betting industry in Vegas. However, this announcement was almost immediately met with opposition from established professionals in the industry.
Famous handicappers and bettors claimed that the host of the show was a fictitious character that know no one in the industry had ever heard of or worked with. After some investigating reporting, reporters discovered that the host was actually an ex-convict who served time for running telemarketing scams and defrauding senior citizens. The lesson here is that no one is beyond reproach. Amateur bettors who fall victim to these “guarantee” scams are partly to blame if they’re not taking the time to conduct their own due diligence before investing in any handicapper or betting service.
Many of the fraudulent claims are featured in Adwords and other accompanying advertisements on gambling websites. If the claims seem to good to be true, it is most likely a scam. Anytime an amateur bettor questions the legitimacy of an advertisement, it’s best to perform some background research on the handicapper or company name. It’s also advisable to review the fine print in the terms & conditions section of the website in order to understand the true nature of the offer. It is also wise to check the Better Business Bureau for complaints or additional information about the company under question.
Aside from making false claims, many of these websites are able to lure amateur investors in by offering free services. Some of the fraudulent handicapping services focus on cold-calling customers in conjunction with posting advertisements online. This operation is very similar to brokers selling junk stocks– the main objective is to lure the mark in with free opportunities and promises of grandeur.
There are a number of websites online that solely focus on unearthing some of the handicapping scams on the internet. Visiting forums and communicating with other bettors may be one of the most effective ways to avoid potential online scams. Many of these fraudulent websites have been online for years, despite the negative reviews and publicity they receive on the internet. Searching their pertinent info may help amateur bettors get in contact with someone who fell victim to the scam once upon a time.
Using sportsbook review websites is typically the easiest way to identify scams on the internet. Most of the reputable review sites online host a section on a webpage or in their forum where bettors can identify fraudulent activity. Anytime a website or advertisement seems over the top or poorly put together, its most likely a scam. The best bet is to stick with the renowned professionals and sportsbooks in the sports betting sector.