 After a crazy summer of being an 18-year-old bartender living life on the edge out in the Wild Canadian West, the weather turned bitter cold and it was time for me to move on. My next experience is not exactly where most freshly turned 19-year old girls might flock to, but I found myself with a one-way ticket to Costa Rica and a stab at joining another frontier, the emerging offshore sportsbetting industry. I didn’t know it at the time but San Jose, Costa Rica is in fact the center of the universe for US style sports wagering. Even many of the English companies that are jockeying for position in this market have their North American operations in the San Jose area. I had been offered a job by Rob Gillespie, Manager of Gaming Operations at a company called BoDog Sportsbook and Casino, so off I went!
 It all made sense for me to jump into the world of sports betting. I am an inveterate traveler and had already picked up a few tricks (and some Spanish) living the Vida Loca down in Mexico, so the location sparked an old flame. The industry and its followers would be a great fit, I am already a full-out sports nut and was raised in a family of five boys (I actually didn’t know I was much different until I moved out at 17 and let the world decide). Lastly I would be inside the gambling industry, something I always had a clandestine attraction to, especially blackjack!
Of course, this was not all apparent to those family and friends who were given the run down of my plans just five days ahead of my departure time. They were all convinced I had been conned into some grass hut operation down in sweaty Central America. I was only granted the green light based on the fact that they knew I had a good head on my shoulders and an impressive track record of survival.
As Costa Rican tradition dictates, all new arrivals jump right into the heart of San Jose’s unique culture at the famous Del Rey Hotel and Casino. As I was soon to find out, I would be no exception to the local custom.
 The Del Rey (meaning ‘of the King’) has an atmosphere similar to that of the local jungle, which I have since visited for a river-rafting trip. As I entered the room I was immediately bombarded with the full on sensory assault of blaring club music, big screen TV's showing the evenings sports and a veritable cacophony of Spanglish coming from the mouths of the sultry dressed young ladies of the evening and the paunchy aging gringos milling around the room. After ogling the ladies for a while (you guys don’t think you’re the only ones who can look do you) it was off to the Blackjack table for an evening of drinks and gaming. The Casino booms 24 hours a day, attracting its own circus of sharpshooters and travelers high on the rhythm of this flashy place. It’s a goldmine for any ‘sportsmen’ with a penchant for gambling and beautiful women. That first night was a pace-setting introduction into the world I had just entered. The next surprise would hit in the morning as I headed to my first day on the job.
 Upon entering the BoDog office, situated within the compounds of a modern business facility, I was impressed by the resemblance to a Wall St. organization from movies I have seen. In the middle of the lush plant life that painted the views from its large open windows, was a highly professional organization with the latest technology and boasting style and efficiency from every last detail. This was way above my expectations and so was the job of taking calls from the players. I knew the job would be exciting, but I had no idea how complicated the behind the scenes operations are of a modern professional Sportsbook. Everything runs with military precision, especially going into rushes before big events. The bookmanager stands up at the front yelling out the line moves based on the action flowing into the screens in front of him. His team of “punchers” then execute the moves into the software so that the clerks in the wager center and players out on the Internet have accurate lines. It is loud and intense and worth the price of admission just for the rush of an event going off!
 After work I go hang out with the rest of the clerks for drinks at one of any number of the clubs and bars that dot the landscape of all major Latin American cities. Some of the more popular spots include the entertainment district called “El Pueblo”, meaning “The Village” and is a bunch of bars and restaurants in historic buildings looking over down town San Jose. Over on our side of the city is the Escazu area where there are also a number of upscale night spots that are particularly good for special nights out with the rest of the BoDog girls. Before heading out to one of these areas we often stop for a warm up drink and a snack a Mac’s American Bar, around the corner from our offices in La Sabana. Mac’s is a US style sports bar that was actually built to cater to the staff from the Sportsbook industry, and offers satellite sports coverage on TV’s hanging from the roof and pool tables. Its an exciting place to go watch the end of a game BoDog has a big position on, everyone in there is cheering for the same side!
I am off to Guanacaste next week. This province is in the North West corner of the country and is supposed to have beautiful beaches. I will give you all the details on this trip, including some great shots, in my next column. Until then bye and happy wagering over the holidays!
Suzy Jackson
For more information on BoDog Sportsbook and Casino
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