Betting on pigeon races
Pigeon Racing

Illegal betting on bloody pitbull fights, cock fighting, pig racing, and other animal sports is a huge business generating well over a billion dollars annually in the world.

As the latest sports betting news report, the investigators in New York State have uncovered an illegal syndicate which has been running …pigeon racing. The ring apparently made millions of dollars in illegal bets which involved pigeons raised in captivity, and then taken hundreds of miles away and set free to fly back home.

Multiple betting options were placed on the birds such as which ones will return (given only 40% survive, a bet could be placed on whether the bird returns). Also, wagers could be placed on the winner. It is quite similar to other sports betting such as Formula 1 racing.

Since in New York the only animal bets that can be placed are on horses, the defendants face trial. In addition to illegal gambling, animal cruelty and tax evasion could be charged.

The group is also rumored of having run mobile sportsbook betting from a Caribbean hub where bets on pigeons and pitbull fights were wagered. Moreover, the Asian partners ran pig races and mobile bets were also placed.

While investigating the illegal gambling ring, the detectives were able to actually follow tracks filled with animals. Betting sheets were also seized and will be used as evidence.

In another pigeon race in Australia, only four out of 210 birds returned. As rumors go, the illegal betting syndicate actually placed shooters to bring down the pigeons and make money on punters who lost their bets on pigeon winners and returning birds. And some say that card counting is evil.