Bets - Drugs - and Rock & Roll: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Offshore Sports Gambling Empire

Bets, Drugs, and Rock & Roll: The Rise and Fall of the World's

The gambler’s high is like a rush; he feels invulnerable. That high lasts, though, only until the next big loss. Such is the story of Steve Budin, who created the first online sports betting company. Under the tutelage of his father, a legendary, old-school Miami bookmaker, and with the help of a cocaine-addicted polygamist, Budin revolutionized the shadowy business of spreads by taking them global. But he also stuck to some tried and true methods, like plying clients with trips to Vegas, hookers, and hardcore drugs. In the end, Budin raked in hundreds of millions of dollars and stood on the verge of a deal worth billions more. He took bookmaking into an automated, virtual worldwide casino that anyone could access, anywhere and at any time. For anyone fascinated by the “wild West” that is internet gambling, here is a rare peek into that exciting, dangerous world.

Price: $18.21

User Reviews about Bets - Drugs - and Rock & Roll: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Offshore Sports Gambling Empire

Great book. For all Offshore betters it is a must read just to see what this industry has come from, and what Great strides that Steve Budin paved the way for.

I am a Football handicapper myself and am entangled in this business on a full time basis, just glad to see that some people are getting recognition in this business.

2 Thumbs Up Budin.

P.S Steve, let's talk business. -- Betters MUST READ!!!

Received in time as a special gift for a friend who absolutely loved it. Great book for horse racing fans. -- Bets, Drugs, and Rock & Roll

"Bets, Drugs and Rock & Roll" by Steve Budin. This book was written by the father of off shore sports book gambling and is a truly fascinating read. Having learned the basics of bookmaking from his father, who was one of the top bookies in New York City, Steve Budin demonstrated a remarkable talent for his chosen field. The book charts his rise from his early days as a high school bookmaker in Florida, who took bets from his classmates as well as their parents and his teachers, through his time as a casino host to his setting up of the first real offshore sports book in Panama and later in Costa Rica. He describes the difficulties this posed as well as his success in overcoming the many obstacles placed in his path. Steve Budin also discusses his battles with the US government, which ultimately lead to his downfall, notwithstanding that he was meticulous about paying taxes on his earnings. The book is filled with interesting tidbits about some of his celebrity clients, which included actors and professional athletes to his own philosophy about the proper conduct of a bookie. The book also provides an excellent introduction to the basics of sports betting which I found especially enlightening. I will note that Mr. Budin frequently pats himself on the back in his book and brags about his accomplishments but I think he is entitled to his pride when you realize he helped create what is now a multi-billion dollar industry. The book is a fast paced read which I finished in one sitting.
-- The Wild Beginnings of Offshore Bookmaking