[Illusion]

Offshore sports books combined for an estimated revenue of $3.447 billion and a global handle of $76.6 billion in 2004, according to Christiansen Capital Advisors, a U.S.-based gambling industry consulting and research firm. The total handle for Nevada sports books declined from 2000 to 2003, but rebounded to $2.085 billion last year, with revenues of $112.5 million.

Here is the state's handle for the past 10 years in dollars:

1995: 2,430,370,794

1996: 2,481,485,821

1997: 2,430,117,939

1998: 2,269,492,065

1999: 2,471,203,564

2000: 2,326,149,655

2001: 2,041,784,256

2002: 1,935,793,913

2003: 1,865,265,296

2004: 2,085,427,767

SOURCE: NEVADA GAMING CONTROL BOARD

[jjgold]

Really not a big drop from 95

[Senator7]

Nevada is for tourists and the public, offshore is for the sharps and the pros.

Senator 7

[THESCOUT]

big money plays both places

[freebie]

If only Uncle Sam would legalized sports betting across USA. They would collect tons of tax revenue.

[Senator7]

If only Uncle Sam would legalized sports betting across USA. They would collect tons of tax revenue.

A 5% tax could pay off the deficit or the national debt really quick. The government doesn't know what they're missing out on. They could legalize and make the books pay the tax. They would fork it over willingly if it meant that sportsbetting was legal in the states. With the poker boom that we've seen the past couple years, I expect there to be a movement to legalize and regulate most forms of gambling, sportsbetting being one of them.

Senator 7

[Relentless]

Really suprised it hasn't dropped more. Must be partially offset by the increase in March Madness/SB wagering.

[jjgold]

The drop offs are not really much

It just goes to show offshore gambling did not put a huge dent in biz

[Ganchrow]

The drop offs are not really much

It just goes to show offshore gambling did not put a huge dent in biz

I suspect the drop-off would appear far more drastic when adjusted for the overall increase in Vegas's gambling dollar volume ex sports over the same time period.

[jjgold]

Good point

I wonder if an avergae place like Skybook does more than mirage?

[pags11]

I'm a perfect example of why those numbers are dropping...why do I want to treck all the way down to the book, go into a smoke-filled room, deal with some guy with one tooth giving me a frickin' attitude?...I can just sit up in my office at my house and make plays...it's sweet...

[SBR_John]

Thats a great find Illusion. Sports betting has probably tripled since 95 yet vegas is getting less than they got 10 years ago.

Much much better value offshore. Better safety in vegas but well, thats where SBR swings in with the safe offshores. And if you can play safely offshore then thats the ticket. Anyone ever get a bonus from a Vegas sportsbook? uh...no.

[pags11]

or a drink token...or some respect...nope...it's a joke here in Reno...

[imgv94]

Odds in Vegas suck as well.. They are always a notch worse than
offshore
sportsbooks..

[onlooker]

Odds in Vegas suck as well.. They are always a notch worse than
offshore
sportsbooks..

Odds/spreads arent very far from each other, but the low juice offshore is better the the normal 110 in Vegas. Dont see much reduced juice in Vegas. Plus the 20cent pucks in Vegas suck. Got to love the 10cent lines at Pinnacle and other spots. Also cant buy and sell points in Vegas, well not that Im aware of anyway.

So there is a big edge in offshore. I just dont play much offshore because I like to have my money instantly. But Im going to start dipping in offshore more in the future.

[imgv94]

When I was in vegas there was a big difference in future odds for baseball

Astros would be 8-1 offshore and 5-1 in vegas..

[onlooker]

When I was in vegas there was a big difference in future odds for baseball

Astros would be 8-1 offshore and 5-1 in vegas..

I dont look to much into futures, so I will have to take your word on that one.