[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]TOP-10 MOST INFLUENTIAL [font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]December 18, 2004 - Shrink[/font][/font]
http://www.therx.com/nm/templates/article.asp?articleid=2969&zoneid=2
When I first introduced this topic years ago, many of the names on my list were the pioneers of this industry and deserved recognition for all their accomplishments. The industry continues to gather momentum, but some of my favorite personalities have moved on.
The list below is simply my own personal belief about the industry's most influential people today.
10B- JOHN WALKER
Like him or or not, John's website, Sportsbook Review is quite influential and sports books and gamblers should take notice of the list. Although not perfect, I have been saying that no one has as accurate a list as Sportsbook Review has had for years!
10) RUSS HAWKINS
The founder of MajorWager finally makes the list. Having one of the most prominent posting forums where gamblers can share their experiences earns him a place of special recognition. His fervor and passion seldom go unnoticed.
9) COLE TURNER
Years ago, readers would have laughed at this amazing visionary. He had a vision to run his BODOG sports book by using a different business model than the competition. It has gained him a spot on this elite list.
8) GARY KAPLAN
The founder of BETONSPORTS has finally cashed in big by going public and offering shares of his company in England. Though bringing David Caruthers on board was a brilliant decision, his biggest strength has always been his ability to advertise his product better than the competition. He will go down as the all time greatest marketing giant that this industry has ever seen.
7) SPIROS
Lovingly referred to as THE GREEK, he is truly a GIANT in the offshore sports betting world. Not only has he been operating Olympic Sports, one of the most prestigious and respected sports books, he is one of the most respected gamblers out there as well. He is one of the very few that can successfully mix bookmaking with his own passion to gamble.
6) JAY COHEN
This entry may surprise some people, but Jay Cohen has done much to put offshore sports betting on the map. Unfortunately, Cohen decided to test the legal waters when indicted for bookmaking and lost. Although he is unable to operate at this time in Antigua, his presence can still be felt around posting forums and his wisdom is inspiring. I predict his passion for offshore sports betting will land him back at WSEX.COM in Antigua sooner rather than later since he has already served his time.
5) STING
I have known Chris for a long time and he hasn't changed much. However, his Gambling911 Web site is a MUST for both the sports books and gamblers to catch up on what's happening offshore. Sting mixes humor, truth and fiction in such a clever way that his site is not only informative, but arguably the most entertaining of them all.
4) RON SOCCO
I have often heard him called "THE GODFATHER" of our industry. This is an intelligent, old fashioned bookmaker who founded CRIS, which happens to be among the most recognized and accomplished sports books in our industry. Though Socco had a similar fate as JAY COHEN, his sports book has continued to flourish. Much credit for that is due to MICKEY being at the forefront. Ron has forgotten more about the art of bookmaking than most will ever acquire.
3) RICK ALLEC AND DANA CORBO
The guys that bring you DONBEST.COM deserve all the credit in the world. Virtually every sports book and successful offshore gambler is logged on to see the line moves of the most prestigious sports books in our industry. This is the best line service that our industry has to offer. There is not even a close second at this time.
2) BILLY WALTERS
I have often listed Walters as the MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONALITY offshore. He still comes in very high this year, albeit second place. One of the original members of the “Computer Group", Walters is to offshore sports betting as Mohammed Ali was to boxing. This is the most successful sports bettor that has ever entered the market. I doubt anyone will ever catch him.
1) HENRY Henry is the FOUNDER of Pinnacle Sports Book, the most successful of them all. I am often asked how Henry has accomplished so much in a much faster time than his competitors. All I can say is that this man had a VISION to force his customers to use the Internet, and it worked. This was long before anyone else decided to try and copy his model, which is impossible to do. He was also a charter member of the "Computer Group." I would rate HENRY as the second most successful gambler this industry has ever known, next to Walters. What a combination to try and emulate. Fat chance!
THE SHRINK
http://www.therx.com/nm/templates/article.asp?articleid=2969&zoneid=2
When I first introduced this topic years ago, many of the names on my list were the pioneers of this industry and deserved recognition for all their accomplishments. The industry continues to gather momentum, but some of my favorite personalities have moved on.
The list below is simply my own personal belief about the industry's most influential people today.
10B- JOHN WALKER
Like him or or not, John's website, Sportsbook Review is quite influential and sports books and gamblers should take notice of the list. Although not perfect, I have been saying that no one has as accurate a list as Sportsbook Review has had for years!
10) RUSS HAWKINS
The founder of MajorWager finally makes the list. Having one of the most prominent posting forums where gamblers can share their experiences earns him a place of special recognition. His fervor and passion seldom go unnoticed.
9) COLE TURNER
Years ago, readers would have laughed at this amazing visionary. He had a vision to run his BODOG sports book by using a different business model than the competition. It has gained him a spot on this elite list.
8) GARY KAPLAN
The founder of BETONSPORTS has finally cashed in big by going public and offering shares of his company in England. Though bringing David Caruthers on board was a brilliant decision, his biggest strength has always been his ability to advertise his product better than the competition. He will go down as the all time greatest marketing giant that this industry has ever seen.
7) SPIROS
Lovingly referred to as THE GREEK, he is truly a GIANT in the offshore sports betting world. Not only has he been operating Olympic Sports, one of the most prestigious and respected sports books, he is one of the most respected gamblers out there as well. He is one of the very few that can successfully mix bookmaking with his own passion to gamble.
6) JAY COHEN
This entry may surprise some people, but Jay Cohen has done much to put offshore sports betting on the map. Unfortunately, Cohen decided to test the legal waters when indicted for bookmaking and lost. Although he is unable to operate at this time in Antigua, his presence can still be felt around posting forums and his wisdom is inspiring. I predict his passion for offshore sports betting will land him back at WSEX.COM in Antigua sooner rather than later since he has already served his time.
5) STING
I have known Chris for a long time and he hasn't changed much. However, his Gambling911 Web site is a MUST for both the sports books and gamblers to catch up on what's happening offshore. Sting mixes humor, truth and fiction in such a clever way that his site is not only informative, but arguably the most entertaining of them all.
4) RON SOCCO
I have often heard him called "THE GODFATHER" of our industry. This is an intelligent, old fashioned bookmaker who founded CRIS, which happens to be among the most recognized and accomplished sports books in our industry. Though Socco had a similar fate as JAY COHEN, his sports book has continued to flourish. Much credit for that is due to MICKEY being at the forefront. Ron has forgotten more about the art of bookmaking than most will ever acquire.
3) RICK ALLEC AND DANA CORBO
The guys that bring you DONBEST.COM deserve all the credit in the world. Virtually every sports book and successful offshore gambler is logged on to see the line moves of the most prestigious sports books in our industry. This is the best line service that our industry has to offer. There is not even a close second at this time.
2) BILLY WALTERS
I have often listed Walters as the MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONALITY offshore. He still comes in very high this year, albeit second place. One of the original members of the “Computer Group", Walters is to offshore sports betting as Mohammed Ali was to boxing. This is the most successful sports bettor that has ever entered the market. I doubt anyone will ever catch him.
1) HENRY Henry is the FOUNDER of Pinnacle Sports Book, the most successful of them all. I am often asked how Henry has accomplished so much in a much faster time than his competitors. All I can say is that this man had a VISION to force his customers to use the Internet, and it worked. This was long before anyone else decided to try and copy his model, which is impossible to do. He was also a charter member of the "Computer Group." I would rate HENRY as the second most successful gambler this industry has ever known, next to Walters. What a combination to try and emulate. Fat chance!
THE SHRINK
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