Owen Hanson on Becoming a Bookie After Recession, Why Costa Rica is Mecca of Sports Betting

After graduating from USC but missing the NFL draft, Owen Hanson secured a high-paying real estate job. However, the 2008 recession wiped out his position, pushing him to seek alternative income. Inspired by a contractor who regularly placed large bets, Hanson pursued becoming a bookie. With connections to a bookie associate, he quickly built a client base, managing substantial bets and earning commission. When offshore gambling company Macho Sports faced legal troubles, Hanson launched his own betting platform, Betodog. Hanson explains why Costa Rica is the hub for sports betting operations: it offers affordable, turnkey services like server hosting, phone lines, and app support to run offshore sportsbooks legally. Although bets are placed offshore, all U.S. clients interact directly with Hanson and his agents, navigating a "gray area" where the legality hinges on money transfer practices. Costa Rica’s infrastructure and legal environment make it the premier location for sportsbooks targeting U.S. customers.