Eventhough I have enjoyed thus far a pleasant relationship with various offshore sportsbooks, I have heard some horror stories which would not only send a chill run down your spine but also make you grow nails on your back.

These stories all seem to have a point in common : they all involve big time gamblers with large accounts and who eventually run into a problem when attempting to make a large withdrawal.

The sportsbook industry has experienced an explosive growth and become so competitive that many sportsbooks are resorting to agressive and shady business practices to attract new customers such as offering unrealistic promotions in the form of a generous bonus for small deposits. Without proper capital reserves, these sportsbooks quickly go under at the first sign of trouble dragging along with them unsuspecting gamblers.

When approaching an offshore sportsbook, I attempt to rely on a good business common sense and investigate. A website I find particularly interesting is www.gambling.com which has grown to become the equivalent of the Better Business Bureau of the offshore sportsbook industry.

If there is a valuable lesson I have learned dealing with offshore sportsbooks is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.