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This FAQ page covers the most commonly asked questions about the WatchandWager.com service. If you have a question not covered on this page and wish to contact us for more information, our Customer Service Department Online by clicking here for Live Help!.
Click Here if you
receive an error, "Video Access Restricted"
Customer Service is available toll-free at 1-866-891-5100
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What Is WatchandWager.com
WatchandWager.com
is a horse-wagering service dedicated to delivering the thrill
and excitement of the racetrack through the convenience of
the Web. From the latest odds and payouts, to handicapping
information and
track conditions, WatchandWager.com provides its members with
all of the information they need to make a smart bet online.
Members can place secure bets on a variety of tracks and see
the results of the wager minutes after the race has been declared
"official." No waiting, telephone calls or hassles. In addition,
WatchandWager.com provides its members an easy way to check on
their account and their winnings.
How
much does the service cost?
We continue with our philosophy of No Fee Wagering
for most services. Where there is a fee or restriction for
services we attempt to offer a no-fee alternative that is
easy to follow and set up. For instance:
-
There are no fees for placing a wager.
- Free
Money Transfers - We charge credit card processing fees
but offer our free EZmoney service. It is free to set up
and there are no fees to transfer funds in or out of
your account.
- We
do not charge for live video or the video replay
library. However, to give our regular customers or
seasonal customers the best viewing experience we have
implemented a policy that requires a nominal amount of
account wagering activity.
- We
provide some Free Handicapping products from Brisnet.com
that are marked in the handicapping section. Additional
products with charges of $1 to $3 are available for
download. When you wager on races at those tracks your
account is refunded the cost of those products within
one business day.
Read the
appropriate FAQ section or EZmoney processing FAQs for
details on these free services.
In April of 2003 WatchandWager.com implemented a system for
charging credit card transfers.
The processing fees are 3.98%. There are no fees associated to the AmericaTab EZmoney
system and it is free to set up.
Cash advance services are available by calling our customer
service department, but are subject to a
Global Cash Access fee of 4.5%.
Are
there any age restrictions on the WatchandWager.com system?
Yes.
Only U.S. residents 18 years of age or older may become members.
The following states have a specific age requirements.
Alabama - 19 Minimum Age
Arizona - 21 Minimum Age
New Hampshire - 21 Minimum Age
Washington - 21 Minimum Age
In which States can I subscribe to the WatchandWager.com service?
The service is currently open only to legal United States residents and citizens of Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. AmericaTab does not accept accounts from residents of the following states: Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina or Utah, Washington, nor from Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. List is subject to change if states'
policies change.
Listed addresses are verified through several sources, and accounts found to be opened from the above listed States will be closed
without advanced warning when discovered.
We do not currently accept accounts from Canadian residents.
Account holders from Arizona, California, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Iowa, Washington, Texas, and Virginia may be
restricted from wagering on in-state tracks.
How WatchandWager.com Works?
What
do I need to do to place wagers?
Members
of WatchandWager.com can place wagers after opening an account
and having sufficient funds in their account to cover the
wager.
How
do I open an account with WatchandWager.com?
Click
"Open an Account" and provide the information required to
create the account. Once the account has been created, you
will need to add funds to the account. This can be done by
using a credit card (contact Customer Service by phone), by sending a check through the mail
How
long does it take to set up an account?
Once
your application is accepted and your credit card is verified,
or you have deposited funds through one of the alternative
methods, you are ready to wager.
Do
you offer harness racing as well as thoroughbred racing?
Yes.
Check our
Schedule
for available tracks.
Are
current odds available, and how current are they?
Yes.
Odds are broadcast directly from our member racetracks and
updated every sixty (60) seconds.
What
racing information is available?
Members
can view basic track program information, weather and track
conditions, late changes, real-time odds, and exotic probable
payouts. WatchandWager.com has created partnerships with value-added
data providers and handicapping software experts to offer
a wide variety of handicapping information products.
Are
past performances available online?
Yes.
Past Performances may be purchased online for all available
tracks for a reasonable fee. Check out the Handicapping
Information section.
Accounts & Wagering
When
do wagers need to be placed?
Wagers
can be placed up to post time. To avoid being shut out due
to delays over the Internet, we recommend that wagers be placed
as early as possible.
What
types of wagers are accepted?
We
support nearly all wager types offered by our member tracks.
The wagering menu will virtually mirror the tracks' wagering
menus with the exception of parlay wagers (such as twin-trifecta
or tri-super) which require an exchange ticket.
Are
transactions confidential?
All
wagers and transactions are completely confidential.
Does
WatchandWager.com have a wager limit?
Yes,
the limit is $1,000 per wager. However, you may make multiple
wagers to exceed this amount. The total of multi-bets, such
as boxes and wheels, may also exceed a total of $1,000. (For
example if a user wagers $200 on a three-horse exacta box,
then the total sum of the bet would be an allowable amount
of $1,200.)
Does
WatchandWager.com charge for Credit Card Transfers?
Yes.
In April of 2003 WatchandWager.com has implemented a system for
charging credit card transfers. The processing fees are 3.98%.
There are no fees associated to the AmericaTab EZmoney system
and it is free to set up. Look for
EZmoney
to transfer funds between your racing account and your bank
account.
Does
WatchandWager.com have credit card deposit limits?
Yes. Our credit card processing company has imposed a limit of $400 when opening your account. After we receive your Draft
Authorization Form, subsequent deposits to your account will be limited to $1,000 per day, $3,000 per week and $5,000 per
month by the Oregon Racing Commission. You will also be limited to the available credit of your credit card.
Debit cards do not have limits.
Which credit cards do you accept for deposits?
Currently, we are only able to accept MasterCard and Visa for online deposits, including those debit cards which carry one of these logos. If you wish to use a Discover Card to make a deposit, you may do so by calling our customer service department between 9:00am and 4:30pm Eastern Time at
(866) 891-5100.
I
know my card and credit limit are good, why am I being
declined?
The
most common reason for a credit card decline is many credit
card issuing banks do not allow gaming transactions. If you
receive consistent declines on a card you know is good, this
may be the reason. Contact your bank and ask them if they have
a gaming block, and if they do, ask if they will remove it at
your request.
The
next most reported reason is address verification. On the "Add
More Funds" page, the fields will be automatically filled
with your account information. If the address your credit card
billing statement is mailed to is different, you will need to
change the information in the fields to reflect your credit
card billing address. If you are declined for this reason, our
credit card processing company will send you an e-mail
indicating this is why you were declined. You must also provide a valid and complete (yourname@aol.com for example) email address for online deposits.
Are
my credit card deposit treated as cash advances, or purchases?
Our
online credit card processing company treats all deposits as
purchases, not cash advances. Your credit card issuing bank
may treat your deposit differently, and America TAB cannot
control the policies of credit card issuing banks. Cash
Advance Deposits made through our customer service department
use a different processor, which may treat your deposit as a cash advance.
Can
I access probable payouts?
You
can access various probable payouts based on the track and
the race.
Which
pool does my money go into?
Your
wager will be commingled into the appropriate pool of the
host track.
How
is my wagering dollar distributed?
Because
all wagers are incorporated into the host track's wagering
pools, the horsemen, the state and the racetracks share in
the revenue.
How
long after the race does it take for winnings to post to my
account?
Your
wager log update takes only a few minutes from the time the
official race results are posted at the track.
Is
there a minimum amount required to open an account?
WatchandWager.com
does require a minimum deposit of $50 to open an account, however, once an initial deposit has been made, individuals may deposit any amount. Your bank may subject you to minimum credit card purchase amounts, and WatchandWager.com is not responsible for the policies of individual
credit card companies.
When/How
do I know if my wager is accepted?
An
on-screen wager confirmation, accompanied by a ticket number,
is provided within seconds of submitting a wager. There is a
Print button located on the confirmation screen if you wish to
print the ticket for your records. If you do not receive a
confirmation, do not re-submit your wager before checking the
"Recall Today's Bets" screen, or contacting customer
service. If you resubmit the wager or refresh your screen, you
may duplicate your wager.
Is
it possible to cancel wagers?
Once
you submit a wager and the wager is accepted, you may not
cancel it. After selecting your wager you will be given
a confirmation screen to review the wager one final time
before submitting it. Please take the time to proof your
wagers, as WatchandWager.com is not responsible for errors.
What
happens to my wager when a horse has been scratched that is
part of my wager?
WatchandWager.com
will provide refunds or assign other horses in accordance
with the member track's policies for handling scratches.
Will
I be able to see my wagering record?
You
will be able to see the history of the current day's wagers
by selecting "Recall Today's Bets" from either the
"Manage Your Account Page" or the wagering screen.
You can review your account history from the "Detailed
Account History" screen.
Will
I be able to see my balance online?
Your
account balance is available online from either the
"Manage Your Account Page" or the wagering screen.
What
information is recorded in the wager log?
Your
"View Today's Bets" screen will show all of your
wagers for the current day, along with ticket serial numbers,
amount and type of bet, whether the bet was a winner or loser,
and the amount of the win or loss.
If
I am a present holder of an Ohio TAB account, how do I use
this service?
Present
holders of Ohio TAB accounts may wager through the WatchandWager.com
site using their existing account. To modify their account,
existing Ohio TAB customers may contact a customer service representative, and provide the requested information to update their account to an online
status.
If
I have a WatchandWager.com account can I still wager via telephone?
Yes,
you may use the same account for both telephone and interactive wagering. To wager by telephone, call 1-800-494-RACE (7223).
How
are funds withdrawn from my wagering account?
WatchandWager.com
will issue a check for all withdrawals, sent only to the account
holder at the account address on file. You may request a check online
by accessing the "Withdraw Funds" form from the
"Manage Your Account" page.
Can
I have my winnings transferred to my bank account?
No.
For security reasons, the only way to collect from your account
is to request funds to be sent to you by check.
How
do I dispute a miscalculation?
Call
the WatchandWager.com Customer Service Department at
866-891-5100 (this is a toll free call), and speak to a Customer Service Representative.
What
information is WatchandWager.com required by law to give the IRS
concerning account activity?
WatchandWager.com is required to report to the IRS (W2-G)all wagering transactions which return a payoff in excess of 300-1. WatchandWager.com will also withhold funds at the standard IRS rate of 28% from wagers where the aggregate total of identical bets exceeds $5,000.
Will
there be any documentation for online wagering that the IRS
will accept for losing tickets, to be balanced against winning
tickets when there are signers?
Customers
may request an "Account Activity Report" for the calendar
year. This computer-generated report will be mailed to the
account holder within 10 days of receipt of the request. You
can also view and print a similar report by using the
"Detailed Account History" screen and selecting the
date range you need.
What
happens if I forget my PIN?
Your
PIN is required for you to access your account. Should you
forget your PIN, you must contact customer service as soon
as possible for a replacement. As an added security feature
of WatchandWager.com, your account will be disabled for a period
of 24 hours upon five failed attempts to login.
Cost, Access, Security & Support
Is
technical help available?
Please
continue reading Frequently Asked Questions to see if your
question is answered. If not, please call a Customer Service
Representative at (866) 891-5100. Known
compatibility issues will be discussed in this section.
Do
you support cable modems, ISDN, ADSL and T-1?
Yes.
Connection speed is dependent on your access provider, but
high-speed internet connections are not required to access the
WatchandWager.com service.
Do
you support WebTV?
Currently,
Web TV users are unable to access the wagering and account
management portions of WatchandWager.com.
Do
you support America Online?
Users
of AOL version 4.0 and higher should experience no difficulty
using WatchandWager.com. Users of AOL version 3.0 or earlier will
not be able to access the wagering and account maintenance
portions of the web site. We recommend all AOL users not
use the built-in AOL web browser, but rather use Netscape or
Internet Explorer for better performance.
Are
any specific browsers or software required?
No.
Your internet browser must support Secure Socket Layer
encryption and Java Script, to access the wagering and account
maintenance portions of the WatchandWager.com website. Most
currently available browsers are acceptable, including
Internet Explorer and Netscape.
Known
Internet Browser "Bugs"
Internet
Explorer 6.0 users
Customers using
Internet Explorer 6.0 will need to
change the default "cookie" settings to in IE 6.0 to be
able to use the WatchandWager.com wagering interface. The default settings will block third party cookies,
which WatchandWager.com uses to connect to the America TAB wagering
server.
There are two options
for changing the settings. The easiest is to use the
"accept" setting for third party cookies. On the
"Tools" menu, select "Internet Options", and
then click on the "Privacy" tab. Click on the
"Advanced" button and then make the selection of
"Accept" for third party cookies.
A better way is to just
allow all cookies from "americatab.com". This is done by
clicking on the "Edit" button on the "Privacy"
tab. Type "americatab.com" (without the quotes) into the
"Address Of Web Site" field, and then click on
"Allow".
More information on
this subject can be found at Microsoft's website.
Microsoft
Internet Explorer 5.0 and AOL 5.0 users
All Windows users of
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or AOL 5.0 will need to
upgrade their browser to Internet Explorer 5.5, or download a
Service Pack.
The upgrade is free,
or if you wish to keep
Internet Explorer 5.0, you can download Service Pack 2 for Internet
Explorer 5.01 from the same site, which will also work.
You can download
either update at the Microsoft
Website.
Macintosh
Users and Internet Explorer
Mac users will
need to download and use Netscape to access the WatchandWager.com
at this time. Microsoft fixed a browser bug in IE 5.0 for
Windows which allowed IE 5.0 to work for WatchandWager.com, but
did not fix the Mac Version. We expect the problem to be
corrected with the next version of IE for Macintosh, and will
test when it is released.
What
type of security does WatchandWager.com use?
All
data is encrypted. Connection is secure by SSL Version 3.
Connection is a dedicated, closed loop. WatchandWager.com does
not store any credit card information on its servers. Our
encryption keys are provided by VeriSign. You may view our
VeriSign security information by clicking on the VeriSign logo
on the home page.
Why
don't I see the closed padlock in my browser indicating the
site is secure?
Encryption
keys are used to secure your transactions at
WatchandWager.com. This site uses frames to display both secure
and non secure pages (such as this FAQ page) in a manner to
maximize the online experience. When both secure and
non-secure items are presented online in frames, the closed
padlock will not appear in your browser. This is a normal
occurrence.
Is
my personal account information secure?
All
personal account information is strictly confidential and
stored in secure servers. No information will be submitted
to any other entity without a legally binding subpoena or
order. This includes wagering information.
What
protection do I have from others using my account?
Your
PIN (personal identification number) and user ID protect your
account.
What
does my PIN do?
Your
PIN is your personal security system, guarding your WatchandWager.com
account information. You should be careful with it, and strictly
limit access to it.
May
I access my account from someplace other than my own computer?
(I.e., work.)
Yes,
you may access your WatchandWager.com account anywhere you have
an Internet connection, your ID and PIN.
May
my friends use my account?
Your
PIN and user ID protect your WatchandWager.com account. You must
not permit anyone else to access the service through your
account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality
of your PIN and user ID. WatchandWager.com assumes all wagers
made through a user's ID and PIN are authorized by the account
holder.
Streaming Video Support
I
Receive An Error, "Video Access Restricted"
In order to maintain the highest video standards for active
customers, new minimum wagering requirements were
implemented on September 3, 2004 for watching live racing. The new policy is also
liberal enough to give new customers an opportunity to explore
the system. Customers who meet minimum requirements will
continue to have unrestricted access to live racing video, the
minimum requirements are:
- $50 wagered
during the last 5 days of access to the video.
- or $50 wagered
during the previous 5 calendar days.
- or $100 wagered
during the previous 30 calendar days.
- or $600 wagered
during the previous 90 calendar days.
- or $5,000
wagered during the previous 360 calendar days.
Players who meet
the minimum requirements will not see any changes. For occasional
visitors who do not meet the minimum requirements, a notice will
appear with instructions to restore viewing privileges.
I'm
having trouble seeing the streaming video, can you help?
Channels one through 16 offer our new streaming video that is higher quality and automatically adjusts to the speed of your internet connection. These channels require Windows Media Player version 7 or higher. If it is not already installed on your computer, Windows Media Player is available for
FREE from the
Microsoft website.
If you are experiencing "server busy" error messages, the most likely cause is the number of users trying to access our video streams at the same time. In some instances,
attempting to re-connect will solve the problem. If you are experiencing picture freezes or re-buffering, you should check your Internet connection speeds. Manually setting your connection speed (especially in Windows Media 9) can sometimes help. Your connection speed can be found in the Tools>Options>Performance tab of Windows Media Player.
If you are using pop-up blocking software, you will need to disable it prior to viewing the video.
Users with dial-up connections to the internet may only receive live audio, depending upon network traffic and your actual connection speed.
Macintosh users with the Macintosh version of Windows Media Player 7 are now also able to view the new video
streams.
Click Here if you
receive an error, "Video Access Restricted"
I've
checked all the above and still receive no video?
Open
Media Player, select Tools, then select Options. Under File Types. Click on "Select ALL", click Apply,
then hit OK. Close Media Player and Restart Computer
Can
I set the system for a higher quality video stream using
residential cable modem or DSL?
We
have reports that some customers had decreasing bandwidth
speed for video. The following procedure worked to correct the problem.
Open Media Player, go to Tools, then to Options. Click on the tab for Network. Uncheck UDP, hit Apply,
and then select OK. In order for the changes to take place you
must reboot the computer.

Can I tweak
the settings on Windows XP to help prevent freezes?
Buffering may
continue due to the need for the amount of video coming in.
This will generate a response going back to the source advising of the connection, slowing down and freezing
the video as the communications are going on.
A fix on the
connection speed has shown good results. On the desktop or
from the start menu, right click on Network Connections. Then right
click on LAN or High Speed Internet; click on "Properties"; "General" tab; "Configure Network Connection/card"; "Advance" button; and
change the "Flow Control Settings" from "Generate & Respond" to "off".
Are
the racing videos in real time?
The live racing
videos are fed into the system with no delays. However,
because the technology requires a series of encoding and
decoding for Internet delivery there may be a slight delay
experienced. We review new technologies as they come to
market and currently have one of the fastest delivery
systems in racing.
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