What is life like working at an offshore sports book?

tuleythetout · Dec 16, 2003

A reader of mine who lives in Vancouver e-mailed me. He wants to get into the biz and is considering a move to either Costa Rica or Las Vegas. I'm looking to pass on any hands-on advice from people who work offshore. He's curious about the pay (though he says that's not a main concern as he expects to have to pay his dues), housing, nightlife, etc.etc. He specifically mentioned CR, but I'm sure he would welcome input from any island. Thanks.

ViceCity · Dec 16, 2003

For many, the job isn't too difficult. First-language English speakers have cake jobs answering phones for a modest $6 per hour.

Nightlife, go to friendscr.com for El Pueblo. Lifestyle, depends how you wanna live.

waw · Dec 17, 2003

Depends what experience and skills your friend has - if he is going to be a clerk, then he isn't going to become a million!

If he has some skills, line management or marketing then he can get a good standard of living down here in CR. However, the salary will be a lot lower than US/Canada.

If he has tech skills, he should also be ok.

I wish him all the best.

dickman · Dec 17, 2003

Working in a sportsbook is sitting down for many hours, ordering a lot of fast food, partying like crazy, coming to work with a hang over ever weekend, and doing the same repetitive thing day in and day out.

BeverlyHillsBookie.com · Dec 17, 2003

I love it down here. Been living here for a little over a year.

Pete
BHB

tuleythetout · Dec 17, 2003

What are apartment rates going for? Do most of the workers live near each other and hang out, or pretty much go their own way after work?

American · Dec 17, 2003

tuleythetout....Tell your friend to go to Vegas. Unless he knows someone, there's no gaurantee that he'll rise to a management or charting position and he could be stuck clerking for an indefinate period of time, depending on the office. For many foreigners in CR it's actually more expensive to live in San Jose than in the U.S. Aside from the bars and the whores there's practically nothing to do in San Jose. Unless coming to CR is a stratch that your friend HAS to itch, I wouldn't recommend him going down there, nor anyone. If he does go down there, tell him to have an exit plan and not stay more than 18 months.

American · Dec 17, 2003

Apartment rentals are still grossly overpriced from Costa Rica's heyday, which ended about a year ago. Prices are coming down a little, but most property owners still haven't come to grips with the reality that their property has gone down in value up to 50% in some cases in the last year.

JudgeWapner · Dec 17, 2003

As most know ,I love it here.When I was working was lucky enough to have a nice position with a small company.Its not for everyone,but I reccomend your friend give it a try.He can always go back if he doen't like it.

JudgeWapner · Dec 17, 2003

American is right.property values are starting to return towards sanity.If you search,good deals are available.

WildBill · Dec 19, 2003

Why did they become so ridiculous in the first place was beyond me, so few people in the country could have afforded some of those modest 200k houses. Did a lot of the gringos go home and so the prices have moderated?

truthteller · Dec 20, 2003

A lot of Gringos lost their money in those high interest investments in CR.

------------------------------

Pat Buchanan and Bill O'Reilly for the White House

ViceCity · Dec 20, 2003

Housing ranges from $200 for a "no view, normal neighborhood" up to whatever you want to pay if you want to live like an American and reside in Escazu.

My rec. is to stay in the San Pedro area. Should be able to find somthing around $400 that will be in between.

Moon88 · Dec 21, 2003

Vice you say that starting wage for first language english speakers is $6 american as a clerk/cs. What would be the highest wage you could earn as a clerk/cs. Thanks. Talent is one thing, just curious how high a clerk may earn. Also do you pay income tax?

Moon88 · Dec 21, 2003

P.S HI MEATBALL

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Moon88 · Dec 21, 2003

Also how many hours do clerks average a week? THANKS

PeteRoseJR · Dec 21, 2003

I am the reader that TULEYTHETOUT is talking about. Does anybody know which books hire Canadians? Not too worried about position or pay.I just want to go work offshore and have some fun.

Thanks
Brad

offshoreo · Dec 21, 2003

The posters here are right, Costa Rica isn't for everybody. I got out after 20 months. I didn't like the security issues, the pollution, utility problems etc and I found living in San Jose just as expensive. For me, the best thing to do is to live in the US and visit CR every so often.

PeteRoseJR · Dec 21, 2003

oh really? Is it not all its cracked up to be? Would you rather live in vegas or CR.

Brad

JudgeWapner · Dec 22, 2003

Me personally.Costa Rica.Just bought a hous ein the mountains.I think it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.Not sure I would like it as much,if I lived in the middle of San Jose.The country does have amazing natural beauty.I like the people and the pace of life.It can be frustrating at times,but even so,I hope to be here the rest of my life.