Offshore Corporation Oversteps Boundaries with College Student Betting Endorsement - Opinion Piece
Being flooded with work emails is a routine annoyance in my line of work. Normally, I can just ignore them.
However, on this particular night, my dog woke me up at 3 am, barking to go out. As luck would have it, my phone alerted me of a new email just as I opened the back door.
The title of the email reads "Discover Extra Income with Sports Betting".
"What the heck," a small voice in my head, a mix of curiosity and exhaustion, whispered.
As it turns out, the email wasn't from a spammer trying to advertise their supposedly exceptional college basketball tipsters. Instead, it was from a company called BossAction, which claimed that anyone, regardless of their training or skills, could generate additional income by becoming a sports bookie.
The use of BossAction's software to run your sportsbook business could potentially earn you up to $10K per week, according to the email.
That's one impressive side hustle right there.
'Perfect for College Students'
But wait, there's more! While BossAction stated that anyone can become a bookie, the company particularly praised this venture as an appealing option for college students.
An anonymous spokesperson from the company even offered this eye-catching quote:
"The initial cost is minimal, making it easily accessible for those looking for a quick, hassle-free venture. This additional income stream can also be beneficial for college students who need funds for their studies. On campus, it's quite common for people to bet on college football, providing these students with a vast clientele they interact with daily," the BossAction representative said.
With my brain struggling to stay awake, I had to reread the email multiple times and examine the website to confirm I wasn't being pranked or reading something from a satire site.
BossAction, as stated on its website, is a Costa Rica-based company that offers "genuine data processing services" to its bookmaking clients. The company does advise that each individual bookie must be aware of the laws in their region.
Certain countries and regions permit services like BossAction, but, if you're like me and reside in the US, such activities are off-limits.
Despite this, BossAction's blog appears to target US bookies, with a recent post (screenshot below) inquiring, "What advantages do the big European Sportsbooks have that individual US bookies don't have?"
US law enforcement agencies have pursued bookies who have used offshore services to manage sports betting websites. This includes the Uncle Mick gaming operation in a suburban Chicago neighborhood. The leader of this ring was sentenced to 18 months in prison last year and ordered to forfeit $3.6 million.
Difference Between Bettor and Bookie
Apart from that, promoting the perception of bookmaking as a simple way to finance their education sits uneasily with me.
Personally, I have no issues with 18-year-olds betting. I did it at that age, and if you're old enough to serve in the military or vote for the president, you should be able to place a bet or two, provided you do so responsibly.
However, placing a bet and operating a bookmaking business are two completely different things. It seems like Boss Action is particularly keen (screenshot below) on getting college students to become bookies. The company's blog even dedicated an article to converting college students from spectators to bookmakers.
Thanks to recent reports, sports betting on college campuses is a hot topic. Both Ohio and New York have shown interest in banning sportsbook advertising and promotions on college campuses. That's commendable, but college students can still engage in sports betting without the need for billboards or stadium signs.
And regardless of the betting age or the legality of sportsbook advertisements on campuses, sports betting will continue to take place on college campuses. The NCAA has strict guidelines against promoting alcoholic beverages during college games. Yet, this hasn't stopped underage individuals from consuming alcohol.
While college students will still wager on sports, even without Boss Action's sales pitch, encouraging college students to become bookmakers doesn't promote responsible practices. Nor does the allure of quick money to cover their education costs. That's predatory behavior.
Moreover, it's not just US college students at risk here. I wouldn't recommend becoming a bookie to any college student, even if such activities are legal in their jurisdiction.
Increases Pressure on Sports Betting Legislation
I'm writing this not because I'm an advocate for regulated sportsbooks. I do believe that certain practices, such as limiting bettors and pushing poor same-game parlays, require reform.
However, what companies like Boss Action are doing could encourage more US lawmakers to campaign against sports betting, both legal and illegal. If these legislators succeed, it would ultimately benefit offshore sites and companies like Boss Action.
And that's where the most significant risk for harm lies. While the current state of legal sports betting in the US may not be perfect, the greater its exposure and regulation, the better the chances are that the risks can be minimized.
Thanks for the heads up, Work Mate, about the email. Otherwise, I wouldn't have realized that your client is targeting college students in the US. Could you kindly ask them to cease the campaign?
By the way, I'm off to catch some z's, and I'll make sure my pooch stays out of our room.
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