Although “betting” is a term most are familiar with, very few people actually have a deep understanding of all of the various types of betting that exist, how they operate, and what it all means. Sports betting, specifically, is essentially predicting the outcome of any particular sporting event, and subsequently placing a bet based on one’s prediction. Although sports betting has long been controversial and the ethics continue to be debated, more states are beginning to legalize sports betting within various parameters. Colorado sports betting is at the forefront of this trend.
Sports betting often tends to occur in football, basketball, baseball, hockey, track, auto racing, boxing, and mixed martial arts. It is also very common to place wagers (bets) on animal races, particularly horses and greyhounds. Colorado sports betting only very recently became legalized, as of May 1, 2020.
Colorado’s History in Sports Betting…
Colorado was the 19th state to legalize sports betting, but according to Action Network, Colorado might have the best situation of any recently legalized state. This is because Colorado has full online sports betting available through various websites and apps. Additionally, there is a low barrier of entry for operators. Colorado sports betting is special because it is helping to foster healthy operator competition that will be of great benefit to consumers.
Colorado sports betting is legal so long as the bets are placed with authorized, legal sportsbooks and operators. Colorado sports betting allows that bettors may place legal bets with a provided list of licensed operators within the borders of the state of Colorado. In total, there are currently 19 licensed online operators and 17 licensed retail sports betting operators.
JUMP IN
Dive into Tom Farrell’s riveting story of a murder in the underground betting world.
Tom Farrell is the Colorado-based author of The Wager Series. You can now get your copy of the first book in the series, WagerEasy. Set in Chicago, WagerEasy is a compelling sports betting mystery-thriller story that will leave you unable to put the book down. This page-turner features the protagonist, Eddie O’Connell, who is shocked when he discovers that his old friend has been horrifically murdered. Eddie’s friend had been working for a British sports betting firm known as WagerEasy that had established itself in Chicago and was subsequently engaging in some questionable behaviors while trying to find certain shortcuts.
A determined Eddie, along with his uncle who is a retired police detective with the right connections, set up an important meeting. It was with the Chicago gambling boss suspected of ordering his friend’s murder. The Chicago gambling boss claims he is actually being framed by WagerEasy, the British sports betting corporation. He says they are the ones posing the real threat and the target to go after.
Eddie decides to risk everything…
Eddie decides to risk everything. He goes undercover on a mission to truly bring the truth to light and get justice. In the process, he gets exposed to the ruthless underworld of the sports gambling black market. He realizes that the illegal black-market bookies (slang term for ‘bookmaker,’ or the person who takes bets) are backed by the mob and plotting against the British conglomerate.
Wager Easy will keep you on your toes…
Farrell, a bettor himself, drew some inspiration from Colorado sports betting, as well as other elements in the sports betting world. Whether you are an avid bettor in Las Vegas, are experienced in Colorado sports betting, or have no knowledge on anything related to sports betting, this book is a great option. You can dabble in the world of sports betting without actually having to risk losing money in real life by living through the vibrant plot line in WagerEasy.
Who knows, perhaps after finishing this book, you will actually want to educate yourself a bit and begin placing some wagers here and there. Whether that means you participate in the famous Las Vegas sports betting events, or you venture to colorful Colorado to partake in Colorado sports betting events, you can bet that it will be a memorable experience.
“.. Farrell also beautifully realizes the setting of Chicago in winter, which helps to enhance the procedural elements of the story. He skillfully unfolds the complicated tale as Eddie delves deeper into the underworld and finds out how it intersects with the impending legalization of sports betting in Illinois. The novel presents a bleak landscape of rival gangs always looking to double-cross one another as well as a memorably startling characterization of the Chicago police and court system. Eddie is the just the right kind of noble but flawed hero to travel between the two realms, and Farrell crafts an array of familiar and unfamiliar genre elements into a genuinely gripping read. A smart and fast-paced crime drama that will leave readers wanting more from this author.“
–Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
WAGEREASY
Sports bettor, bartender and part-time investigator Eddie O’Connell realizes the man killed in signature mob-style is his old friend from the race track and vows to get justice. In November, 2018, with legalization of sports betting on the horizon, WagerEasy, a British sports betting conglomerate, has set up shop in the Chicago market looking for shortcuts.
WAGER TOUGH
The prequel to the novel WagerEasy takes place prior to the Supreme Court’s decision in November, 2018, that allowed states to legalize sports betting. In Wager Tough, when a mob-connected bookie is murdered, Eddie O’Connell goes undercover to take over the bookie’s operation and find the killer.