Review of Bets, Drugs, and Rock & Roll

Even though this book has been out for several years, I just got around to reading it. That was definitely time well spent, as Steve Budin has penned an enjoyable read, even if there is more about Steve Budin in the pages than there is about his bookmaking operations.

Steve Budin was a pioneer in the world of offshore bookmaking and ran SDB Global, at one time arguably the largest booking making operation in existence. Having gotten his start working for his father in New York, and later Florida, Budin made the move to Panama and later relocated to Costa Rica, where he said there was less corruption and and a more educated workforce.

Budin knew full well that he was operating in a gray area of the law by accepting bets from United States customers and predictably, his father is arrested and Budin and a number of his associates are indicted.

It doesn't take too many pages to learn that there are two men Steve Budin admires greatly. His father and himself. But it's hard to say that his admiration isn't justified. His father was a well-respected bookmaker on the East Coast for years. And a bookmaker is only as good as his reputation, at least if he wants to survive in the business for any length of time.

As for Budin, you do have to give him credit for his drive and determination. He set a goal and went out and accomplished it, something very few people actually do with their lives.

While several other reviews I've seen have really attacked Budin for his ego, I have to admit it's a bit refreshing to see somebody who isn't guilty of false humility. Budin has done quite a bit in the sports gambling world and he makes sure you know it.

Naturally, one of the attractions of the book are the tales that are included, such as several fixed games and well-known bettors who took a plunge with Budin's offshore company.

Sports betting has a rich and colorful past that is often overlooked. Sports betting wouldn't be what it is today if not for the actions of those in the past and it's always interesting to learn a little bit about their trials and tribulations.

Naturally, the rise and fall of Budin's offshore sportsbook is the primary focus of the book and it's interesting to read what Budin and his companions went through to start operating overseas.

We learn a bit about Central American culture, work ethic, corruption and technology, as well as Budin's propensity for marijuana and women.

Had Budin's father not been arrested, he likely would have been one of the leaders in Internet betting, as well, with a chance to hold the sportsbook.com domain, something that could have been practically a license print money. Even though sportsbook.com is notorious for its processor problems and payment delays, the company is still a major force in the Internet betting world. With a better reputation in the sports gambling world, it would be a virtual license to print money.