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Q & A With Larry Holmes
Online Gambling
Jul 31, 2001, 17:34
By Michael Caselli http://www.gamblingonlinemagazine.com
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Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Larry Holmes is a partner in an online gaming business. Our Editor-in-Chief, Michael Caselli, sparred with Larry about boxing and gaming.
Michael: Larry, Congratulations on your last fight.
Larry: Thank you very much.
Michael: I understand you had a Technical Knock Out (TKO) against Mike Weaver in the 6th round.
Larry: That's right Michael.
Michael: That's fantastic - and I'd also like to congratulate you on your recent award - being named a Master Boxer presented by the Rocky Marciano Family.
Larry: That's correct, thank you.
Michael: It's fantastic that you are such an active boxer.
Larry: You know, you've got to practice it, and I did that, and it's paid off and I'm just happy with it - that's why I still can go.
Michael: It's great that as an active boxer, a father of five, and a family man, you still have time to run an Internet casino business and get involved in e-commerce.
Larry: Oh yeah, you know what, I mean it's great, because I tell you it's fun just talking and seeing people do things and you know you can't knock that, it's really great.
Michael: It was a pretty big move to open an online casino, especially being the first major sports star to get involved in the game, what gave you the idea?
Larry: Well, we had been looking at it and seeing people doing it, and a lot of times a lot of them are getting into trouble because they are doing it here in the States, so you've got to try and do it offshore and that's what I'm doing. I've been trying to keep myself safe because I'm not in the mood to go to jail or being set up as an example because you've got so many people that don't want online gambling. But you know what, it gives people the opportunity to do something. Even now you can go on my online casino and play for fun you don't have to play for dollars, you just go on and have fun, that's what I do. And every time that somebody bets from the United States, we just kick them off.
Michael: What country is your casino based in?
Larry: Antigua
Michael: And are you worried about any future US casinos that might go online?
Larry: Yeah, I'm worried about them - because a lot of these guys have more money then I've got and I can't compete with them and I won't try to. So it's very difficult. I think it's great though because we don't get on there to make money, we get on there for people to be able to have a lot of fun.
Michael: That's the name of the game. Are you a gambler yourself?
Larry: You know I do gamble, I do like to play blackjack a lot, but if I can't afford it I don't play, so I have fun with it.
Michael: I think that's what it's all about - about having fun. Do you really like to gamble online, or do you generally gamble in Vegas casinos?
Larry: I gamble in Atlantic City, I guess wherever I go I gamble, so it doesn't have to be just in Atlantic City. In fact I was in Mississippi when I fought Mike Weaver and I threw a few dollars on the table and I wasn't successful. I didn't win money, but I had a lot of fun doing it.
Michael: Larry, do you like to gamble online as well?
Larry: I play blackjack online, yes, for fun, the game is a lot faster and so you know I have a lot of fun doing it.
Michael: Do you think that other celebrities will follow your lead in opening online casinos?
Larry: I think so, I think some of them are already doing it, I don't really know all their names. I think a couple of pro-fighters are doing it.
Michael: How popular is "Bet with the Champ" across the world? I know you have a huge following in the United States and that you are a very big celebrity there. Do you find that a lot of people recognize the "Bet with the Champ" name in the rest of the world?
Larry: Oh yeah, I think so. People recognize my name because it is worldwide and "Bet with the Champ" will become even more popular in the future.
Michael: Your site has been up for just over a year, what have you learned in that time about gambling online? What things have you done to change it and mix things up?
Larry: Well we just keep growing. I have other partners who show me what to do and tell me what to do, and listen to those guys and they call the shots. I just sit back and watch, and then whatever I have to do, I just do it.
Michael: So what advice does the Champ have for his players?
Larry: My advice is that if you can't afford to do it, then don't do it. But if you do have fun and enjoy it.
Michael: I think that' some good advice. I was wondering if you had any other Net ventures planned in the future, something outside the casino business?
Larry: We're just looking at things now, we're really not sure. We still want to get one more big fight with George Foreman and after that I think we will see exactly what we are going to do.
Michael: That's what everyone is talking about - a big fight between you and George.
Larry: Yeah, well that's what we are hoping for, that we can get George Foreman to come from behind the stove and fight.
Michael: I like that - "come out from behind the stove" - I'm sure we are going to get a lot of letters from our readers about that.
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