Here's the honest truth of the situation. If you plan on paying every bit of what you lose, even if it isn't immediately, then fire away however much you want. People acting like you betting with money you can't pay today need to relax just a pinch. The guy was never saying he's taking a free shot at his local. Whatever he loses and pays is that much more the book makes compared to if he never encountered this guy. Even if it takes him 6 months to pay it. He's a bookie, don't buy in to thinking you are paying interest on it either. He doesn't run a bank, he profits off people's entertainment and in most cases addictions. Also, don't go take some outrageous high interest loan out to pay the guy. Pay him what you can upfront and work out a reasonable payment plan that gets him taken care of but doesn't cripple your family money. I'll take any bookie there is pissed about a payment plan compared to my wife questioning me in our relationship and what I've done with our finances. I've paid many a bookie with loans and I can tell you first hand they won't all do it in return for you, that should say something. I find it funny that all these people act like they've never bet with money they really couldn't afford to lose ranging from sports to table games. Bet, win , get even, bet lose, owe more, pay him every penny on an agreed plan, but don't take a loan out for it and don't feel bad about trying to get even, it's human nature and human nature are what bookies count on to make a living.