COUNTY LIFE
Sports better scams are growing
Thanks to new legal changes, the popularity of sports betting has exploded. If you think scammers haven’t noticed, think again. BBB advises that you check before downloading a sports betting app or placing a bet before the big game.
How the scam works
You want to place a bet on an upcoming game, so you search online for a sports betting service. You find a website or app that looks trustworthy. It may even offer an enticing introductory bonus, so you can make an initial bet “risk-free.”
You place a bet, and, at first, everything seems normal. But as soon as you try to cash out your winnings, you find you can’t withdraw a cent. Scammers will make up various excuses. For example, they may claim technical issues or insist on additional identity verification. In other cases, they may require you to deposit even more money before you can withdraw your winnings! Whatever you do, you’ll never be able to get your money off the site. And any personal information you shared is now in the hands of scam artists.
One victim reported to BBB Scam Tracker: “I deposited money to put a wager for a sports game. I won the bet [and] attempted 3 times to cash out and 3 times it was declined. Spoke to their representative, and they needed a picture of my driver’s license, a photo of myself holding my ID, and a blank check from my bank. With all the run around I’ve been given, it prompted me to read their reviews. All horrible reviews of a scam. Called my credit card company to file a fraud report.”
How to avoid sports betting scams
- Look for an established, approved service. Look for “white-listed” sports books that have been approved by your area’s gaming commission. In the United States, ESPN has a list of where sports betting is legal.
- Don’t fall for tempting ads. Ignore gambling-related pop-up ads, email spam, or text messages.
- Read the fine print on incentives. Gambling sites and apps often offer incentives or bonuses to new users and around major games. But like any sales pitch, these can be deceptive. Be sure to read the fine print carefully.
- Even legitimate sports betting sites have the right to freeze your winnings. Gambling companies can restrict users’ activity for “seeming to have an ‘unfair advantage’ or ‘irregular playing patterns,’” reports Lifehacker. Be sure to check the terms of service.
For more information
Check out BBB’s tips for spotting a lookalike website and downloading apps. Visit BBB.org/ScamTips to stay alert to new and commonly used scam tactics.
If you’ve come across a sports betting scam, report it at once to BBB Scam Tracker. Your report can help other consumers avoid falling prey to scammers’ tricks.
Indians have tough night Thursday playing Tioga falling 0-50. As they left for the game the football team word T-shirts remember “Mando” Alcantar, a 15-year-old Nocona High School student and baseball player was killed in a car crash last weekend. The Tioga players, cheerleaders and band also wore orange wristbands in support of the school. (Photo by Kylene Crossen)
The Nocona City Council will meet at 5 p.m. on Nov. 10 in the council chamber at city hall.
The meeting opens with the newly elected members of the council taking the oath of office. They include Chuck Hittle, Yesika Rodriguez and Robert H. Fenoglio.
After the monthly items of community interest, the consent agenda of bills and minutes and public comments.
The workshop and regular agenda focus on a series of four requests from the Nocona Economic Development Corporation 4A and 4B Boards. The project requests are: $12 for Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum sidewalk project; $190,000 to Friends of Indian Oaks for clubhouse renovations and a new build-out of the interior and porch; and a request for $119,000 for lights at the youth softball field. Both boards are joining funding sources for the projects.
Councilors will consider adopting a National Voter Registration Act Implementation Plan for the Nocona Public Library. Each state library has to undergo a review as it provides a location to pick up voter registration cards.
The panel will consider action after the workshop discussion during the regular agenda.
There is one item for the city council action as the building commission which is a request from Michael Diaz to install a 2022 Champion manufactured home at 210 Fayette Street. There will be a report from the enforcing officer.
AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is encouraging Texans to attend Flag Placement Ceremonies at VLB Cemeteries throughout Texas to honor the brave men and women who served our nation this Veterans Day.
Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen
If you would like to participate and honor the brave men and women who served our nation, flag placements are happening at the following locations and flags will be provided on-site. No RSVP is needed:
Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.
11463 Fort Hood Street
Killeen, Texas 76542
Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
2520 Inspiration Road
Mission, Texas 78572
Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
7457 W. Lake Road
Abilene, Texas 79601
Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
9974 IH 37 Access Road
Corpus Christi, Texas 78410
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