The International Sports Betting Association, a non-profit interest group, was established nearly two years ago and had gained modest momentum within just a few short months.
In a Covers.com column, published in May 2012, ISBA founder Gary Payne spoke with optimism about the group’s potential to make a difference in the sports betting world.
“I’m looking for people who are as passionate about this as I am,” Payne said at the time.
Payne found support, but not the kind he needed. The ISBA was shut down about six to eight months ago, he said, and few people have even noticed or wondered where it went.
“It was very difficult to get off the ground,” Payne told Betting Talk on Tuesday. “We were relying on the sports bettor, which was ridiculous. We needed more help from the sportsbooks and casinos.”
The ISBA’s mission, according to its former website, was to “advocate the need to establish favorable laws that provide sports bettors and bookmakers with a secure, safe, and regulated place to play that encourages transparency.”
Payne said the ISBA had a membership in the thousands but was unable to raise the necessary money to make the kind of difference that other non-profit interest groups have made, such as the Poker Players Alliance.
The sportsbooks supported his vision, he said, but didn’t contribute financially. Discouraged by the lack of support and interest, Payne said he decided that it wasn’t worth his time, effort and money to continue the project.
“It’s an idea that’s ahead of its time right now,” Payne said.
Payne, a Las Vegas resident, said he hopes someone with a larger reach will try to pick up where he left off. If that happens, he said he’d have an interest in getting involved once again.
“Sports bettors need a voice,” he said. “It’s totally needed.”
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Editor’s Note: Were you a member of the ISBA? If so, we’d like to hear from you. Contact us at info@bettingtalk.com.