Bookie Stiffing Me

A dumb question but I’m going to ask it anyways.

I’m obviously in a state where I can’t online sports bet, so I found a bookie through a buddy who runs a local poker game. Respectable guy so I trusted him.

I lost about ~$2k initially and paid up on time. I then got up $500, and can’t get the guy the pay up. I’ve asked (1x) a week for the past 3 weeks and don’t wanna bet more till I’m paid.

What would you guys do? Just take the L?