In this section you can access news on scam operations, events and business deals within the offshore sports gambling industry.
07.19.2008 10:41 PM Vegas-Sportsbetting player reports no-pay dating back to September 2007
The bettor requested $400 through
Neteller in September and has since requested the remainder of his $1,500 balance. The Vegas-Sportsbetting (SBR rating F) website gives him the message that he is not allowed to have more than one "pending withdrawal." Emails to the scam operation have bounced and the phone representative continuously claims management is not available to address the payout request. The player explains how he was duped by
Vegas-Sportsbetting:
I have tried contacting them through 'live chat' help but when you eventually are told you have an operator, as soon as you mention 'withdrawing' money, they disappear and no further dialogue takes place. The email address they give for support just bounces back. I currently have over $1500 in the account. I must confess to not realising there are so many bogus sportsbook in operation, in the UK where I reside you never get these sort of problems. I actually work for the Racing Post - national daily racing/sports paper - and will be writing up my experiences with this firm, and advising everyone to check out your ratings and reviews about any sportsbook before opening an account and departing with money with these firms. They are very clever. The NFL markets in particular are frequently updated, giving the impression that its a very workable and therefore trustworthy operation.
This group of sportsbooks is known for scamming players on future wagers and failing to pay winners. Players can view a list of all sister sportsbooks of Vegas-Sportsbetting
here.
07.18.2008 11:36 PM Portlandbet (not rated) debits players for winning wagers citing bonus requirementsPortlandbet has closed and is in the process of paying player balances. Some players have complained that the
sportsbook is keeping the amount the player was required to bet to meet his wagering requirements instead of the prorated amount of the bonus itself. This odd deduction, which essentially equates to losing all the money bettors were originally obligated to risk, is costing some players more than their deposit and bonus combined. SBR will attempt to speak with
Portlandbet about these deductions. Players should double check their withdrawals for unwarranted deductions.
Player 1: I had completed approx £7,000 of the Wagering Requirement when this book folded on 1st July. My balance was £2,370.10. They have now removed half of my balance (£1,185.05) and refunded the rest. Their reason was because wager requirements weren't complete. I obviously can't complete though as they have folded. I had no notice that they were going to fold.
Player 2: On my statement I got "withdrawal of my full balance minus deductions" which resulted in me only getting £3,500 and they've simply kept £1200 at their discretion.
In effect they've charged me £1200 for gaining a £100 bonus. It's ridiculous. Now in spite persistently emailing them over numerous days they do not reply. Is there anything that could be done? It is simply not punters fault they can't meet wagering requirements, as all markets have been closed by the company.
07.17.2008 11:08 PM Oddsmaker (SBR rating D-) refuses to settle wager dispute; acknowledges faultThe player was told his wager, which was an
NBA bet placed in June, would be re-entered into the system to reflect the wager he intended to make. The player was told after the game by the sportsbook manager that the
Oddsmaker customer service representative was wrong and the bet he said he would change could not be altered.
Player:
I did an if-win on the Celtics last week and if it won, then i had the yankees-
both won- but when i entered the wager on the celtics, the wager was wrong- it said i had the over- I called before game time- the customer service manager said he would fix it. he never did. I had their financial executive call me and say that whoever told me they would fix it was lying. he said they dont speak good english and shouldnt have told me that it was fixed- he said that he admitted that probably happened but since I am up on their sportsbook, they wouldnt be doing anything for me regarding this.
i am not sure why it matters if i am up on them. I am up $59. This was a $2400 swing!! I know you cant do much about it, but warning others will be great! thanks
07.16.2008 11:04 PM SBRforum Free Roll Poker Tournament: Thursday, July 24th
The tournament will be played on the
Bookmaker (SBR rating A+) poker tables next Thursday. Players can read rules and enter
here.
SBR posters will be invited to play in various tournaments in available poker rooms and will be encouraged to share feedback and review poker products.
07.15.2008 11:41 PM All-Sportsbook enters the SBR Rating Guide with an F rating.
All-Sportsbook is part of the
EZ Sports Group. The most recent complaint came from a player who was with sister book
Vegas-Sportsbetting (SBR rating F) five months ago. The player won almost $5,000 on a
Giants Super Bowl futures wager. After requesting his winnings he was locked out of his account. The group has stiffed big futures winners in the past. The scam allows the book to take continous action on multiple teams through out the season, eventually stiffing only those who bet on the championship team. All-Sportsbook.com already has its very generous
NFL futures
odds up.
07.14.2008 11:50 PM New player reports frustration with no-pay sportsbook, LazerWager (SBR rating F)
Tues, June 24 - talked to Rachel and she said I can get $1,000 via Moneybookers but the processor is down and to call back next Monday
Mon, June 30 - re-requested payout for $1,000 with Eve (General Manager) she said it will take 72 hours
Wed, July 02- talked with EVE and she said she expects the payout to happen today by 4PM
Thur, July 03 - spoke to Eve again and she said Fri by the latest
Tues, July 8- Eve said Moneybooker payouts take 7 -10 business days, 7 days is July 10th, 10 days is July 15th
Thur, July 10th - talked to Eve and she said no payout today because I am not on the payout report
Fri, July 11th - spoke to Eve and she said they don't do payouts on Friday and then hung up on me.
Fri, July 11th - spoke to Eve again and she swears the payout will happen next Thursday, July 17
Players have been waiting for payment since February of 2008. The scam sportsbook started making false promises of rectifying the situation when
SBR had first visited five months ago. Lazerwager then sent a memo to its contacts and players in May stating that payouts would resume and that investors had funded the sportsbook. SBR confirmed two small partial payments at that time. The
sportsbook has since continued to market, has remodeled its website, and is offering new sign-up bonuses. Players should be warned that
Lazerwager is a scam sportsbook that is using player funds to operate.
07.12.2008 12:54 PM DPT Sports Group to change software Sunday 10 pm Pacific ABC Islands (SBR rating B),
Jazz Sports (SBR rating B) and
Loose Lines (SBR rating B-) will be down at 10:00 pm Pacific on Sunday. The
sportsbooks will move from
BLR Software to the
DGS Software Platform. Players are advised to record account history and balance information in order to ensure the data migration process will be completed with minimal delays. DPT expects a smooth transition and to be fully operational by Monday morning.
07.11.2008 12:55 PM BettingStar24 (not rated) tells SBR all delayed payouts have been processed. BS24 players are encouraged to
contact SBR with feedback.
BettingStar24
: We received the OK from the internal security check and carried out the payout requests of all customers named below. We hope that you understand that we had to check all the data and details prior to payout. This measure is primarily made for customers safety.
7/12/08 Update: Players confirm payment received.
07.09.2008 11:54 PM Portlandbet (not rated) players report website now allows for withdrawal request. Portlandbet management assures SBR withdrawals are being processed despite delays.
Player: Hi Guys, Just thought i would let you know i received an email from portlandbet today, see below, my account like many I assume was not enabled for a withdrawal, it is now and i have requested a withdrawal for my full balance of $5212 AUS, i will keep you posted on any other developments.
Portlandbet to SBR: PortlandBet has ceased trading and is in the process of paying out customer accounts. Additionally, all outstanding bets will be honoured. Customers with outstanding bets will be contacted individually with a description of how future bet payouts will be administered. Customers who have completed identification requirements are currently able to withdraw. Those who have not are being contacted and informed of these requirements.For you and your readers reference, please note the following government requirements for identification below. If a customer has not submitted these requirements they will receive the ‘max allowed = 0’ message you specify in your email. Customers should submit this information to allow withdrawal. Additionally, if a credit or debit card was used to fund an account a credit card authority form, along with copies of the front and back of the card used, must be completed. This can be accessed after logging in from either the DEPOSIT or WITHDRAWAL section of ‘My Account’.I am extremely sorry for any distress or inconvenience caused and wish to assure customers that payouts will be processed as quickly as possible. Unfortunately all other staff have been terminated and this means the process is not a fast as I, or customers, would like.
07.08.2008 09:35 AM Portlandbet finally acknowledges customer concerns through website messagePortlandBet has ceased trading as of 1st July 2008.We would like to thank our valued customers and assure everyone with account balances that they will be paid out and all outstanding bets honoured.We apologise for the inconvenience caused and ask for your patience in processing payouts.If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Despite the invitation for customers to contact the sportsbook, players continue to complain of not receiving email replies. Portlandbet has reposted its phone number:
+61 2 6213 3666
07.07.2008 10:34 PM Four players complain their sportsbook, BettingStar24 (not yet rated) has not processed their Moneybookers withdrawals in two to four weeks. The sportsbook cites "identity verification from internal security" and has apologized to the players who are owed a few hundred dollars each.
07.06.2008 11:44 PM Golden8Sports enters SBR Rating Guide at F as part of Atlantic West Gaming GroupA player reported receiving a deposit bonus offer from the
sportsbook by phone. The last player to file a no-pay complaint from an Atlantic West sportsbook did so in April. He had $5,000 in AWG's
BookYourBet (SBR rating F) and has not been paid or given a response to his inquiries about his funds.
07.05.2008 11:45 PM Portlandbet (not rated) wagering down as of July 1st
Multiple players
have complained that the sportsbook has removed its phone number from its website, is not returning emails, and is no longer taking wagers. A forum poster at
moneysavingexpert.com reports receiving the following message from the Australian Gambling Commission:
"As of the 1st July 2008, Portland bet is no longer trading. Their financial position is currently being assessed. The Commission is working with Portlandbet on obtaining a list of outstanding debts owed to punters. As required by all sports bookmakers when first licensed, a security guarantee has been lodged with the Commission which is designed to cover unpaid punters funds up to the limit of the guarantee. Portland bet or the Commission are currently not in a position to give any definitive advice on when any outstanding debts may be settled. When the Commission receives the full list of all account holders and any outstanding amounts these will be considered in due course in the context of the security guarantee and any other funds that may be available.
I have taken note of your contact details and will notify you of any further developments.
Yours sincerely
Bruce Waugh
Compliance and Investigations
Gambling and Racing Commission"
Many of the players are rightfully upset that the sportsbook took their deposit days before taking the wagering platform off-line. The Australian-based sportsbook was last off-line on 12/23/07, warning players of payout delays. The bookmaker reopened in February.
07.04.2008 02:36 PM BetWay continues to confiscate winnings; SBR lowers rating to DBetway offers free-plays as an incentive for bettors to deposit. After the players have met the wagering requirements and request a payout the
sportsbook confiscates winnings and sends back the deposit. A losing player never realizes he never had the chance to win the house's money. The sportsbook cites bonus hunting and taking advantage of the sportsbook's offers without intending to gamble further. Betway attempts to brand this type of play as the "money method."
BetWay:
You have been positively identified as a participant of the "Money Method" scheme and therefore we have locked your account, cancelled all your bets and returned your initial deposit to your eWallet account. We will keep your account locked and will lock any future accounts you register."
07.02.2008 08:39 PM BetChance (SBR rating F) deactivates accounts; continues emailing to players with take-it-or-leave-it settlement offer
BetChance is no longer pretending to take bets or allowing players to look at their balance. The book's homepage gives players' the message that the "operation is suspended for technical problems" and it "apologizes for any inconvenient.." The Malta-licensed sportsbook baited players with large deposit bonuses and advantageous lines and pricing. Some players have been pursuing their funds from BetChance for nearly one year. History suggests, despite what BetChance offers or arranges with players, the book will continue to stall and will not pay. Multiple players have stated that their opinion is the book will only pay if somehow leveraged to do so by The Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta and will hold out hope for their full balance. The LGA issued small payments to players on behalf of no-pay sportsbook Playbanks in March, months after the book had closed.
BetChance email to players:
We have tried to contact you during the week to inform you about the money in your Betchance Betting Account. Betchance Limited (betchance.com ) is closing and we are giving the following options to clients;
Option 1: To pay 30% of the total amount (betting account plus pending withdrawals) in the next two-three weeks.
Option 2: To pay the total amount you have in your betting account but divided in 15 months payments.
Please give us your reply as soon as possible, by email, or send us the phone number where we can contact you, in order to notify us of your decision.
When we’ll receive the option you choose, we will send an agreement by email, which has to be signed by both Betchance and the client, and afterwards the payment will be processed. For any further information you require, do not hesitate to send us an email on info@betchance.comor contact us by telephone on 00356 21489941.Regards, Betchance Limited
07.01.2008 11:35 AM ThePig (SBR rating A) down due to DNS updates. The website is expected to be back online by tonight.
Pig users can log in to sister site
LegendzSports.com.
Legendz (SBR rating A+) will allow users to see account history and place wagers as normal.
06.30.2008 05:45 PM WagerStreet (SBR rating B+) down due to server problems. WagerStreet tells SBR the issue is being addressed and the website is expected to be online by tomorrow. Players can reach customer service at 888-628-2873.
06.28.2008 11:57 PM New Bet911 (SBR rating D-) player complains of stalled payouts
The sportsbook was downgraded to D- earlier this month after two players filed new payout complaints. Bet911 shows signs of trying to survive until it can obtain funds from new players at the start of football season. Like
USDbet (SBR rating F), the small sportsbook's marketing efforts were directed to players on posting forums. Bet911 advertisement banners currently promote a 100% bonus.
Player: I currently have over $10000 in my account with them (account xxxxxx same e mail). I have been a customer for several years but this seems to count for nothing. I send e mail requests asking for a breakdown of how and when I will get paid which either remain unanswered or get misdirected within Bet911 (apparently). If they do reply it is never to my question but offering me the 'opportunity' to request a payout. Woi I'm so honoured. Their 'opportunities' have resulted in me receiving only $2000 in the last four months.
06.27.2008 11:34 PM OrlandoSportsbook added to the SBR Rating Guide at D. Orlando is a new site from the
GoTo Entertainment Group. Goto Sportsbooks are currently
slow-paying three winning players.
06.26.2008 11:47 PM BookTheBet (SBR rating F) player reports new no-pay casePlayer:
I have an account with bookthebet.com. The person I have been dealing with the last year is named George. The 1-800 number goes directly to his Cell Phone in Costa Rica. I have always been able to get a hold of him. I have over $6000 In my account and now for the last 14 days when I call it goes directly to his voicemail and I receive no response to my emails. The site is still operational though accepting bets.The last
BookTheBet victim reported being stiffed $7,000 in May of 2007. BookTheBet ownership operated
PornSportsbook (SBR rating F) until earlier this year. The book is now off-line.
06.25.2008 06:53 PM New Live Betting Odds Service, LinesMover, operated by 4SportsPicks (SBR rating F) management.
MajorWager moderator Clevfan spotted Linesmover's phone number on SBR's overview of
4SportsPicks.com which now uses the website, ForSportsPicks.com. The most recent scam from the
4Sports Group was through deposit-only F-rated betting sites
PlayersBigWorld,
Playing24Hours and
SportsPlayingWorld. 4Sports moved these books with it from SportsCallCenter F.A. turnkey service before starting their own operation. Within months players were contacting SBR for help with over five-figures in total payout requests. 4Sports management, also management for Linesmover, told players they are only a service provider. 4Sports also serviced eWinner when it closed with player funds in 2004.
06.24.2008 09:42 PM Nine new withdrawal complaints filed in 2008 by Europlay players
The sportsbook was downgraded to F today after the ninth
Europlay victim of 2008 reported his account in delinquent status. These recent no-pay complaints total an amount owed of over $11,000. Requests date back to 2007. One player has contacted the Trade Commissioner at the Austrian Embassy. He was told the bookmaker is not listed as a registered business. It is unknown if the book has an office in Austria. SBR has confirmed the book's server is in the country. SBR is currently requesting banking information from players in an effort to gain more information about the operation's status.
Trade Commissioner :
We refer to your e-mail of 17 April 2008 and fear that you have fallen victim to a website (http://www.europlay.at) which has been set up with fraudulent intention. We have made our own investigations and ascertained the following facts:
A similar website http://www.europlay2000.net already exists and is run by the Austrian company Unternehmensgruppe Lindenau using the trade name Europlay Sportwettcafes. They are located at Andritzer Reichsstrasse 56, A-8045 Graz, Tel. 0043 316 697869, Fax: 0043 316 697869-12, email: office@europlay2000.net, and are not connected in any way with Europlay International.
With regard to Europlay International in Austria we could not trace a company by this name. The telephone number 0043 3182 62230 is not a Graz telephone number. At the address Münzgrabenstrasse 86, A-8010 Graz, used to be a company by the name of BT-Montage Schlosserei, Maschinen- u. Rohrleitungsbau GmbH which has moved to Salzburg and is now insolvent. What business is currently located at this address, we do not know. We have passed your e-mail to the regional Chamber of Commerce in Graz. We are sorry that we are unable to give you a more favourable reply.
06.23.2008 06:34 PM BetChance (SBR rating F) player reports that the sportsbook informed him it will finally close
The player states the no-pay sportsbook called to offer him a settlement of 25% of his balance or the possibility of being paid in 20 months. BetChance has been unable to clear delinquent withdrawal requests for almost a year while teasing owed users with email updates about new ownership and small sporadic payments to a fortunate few. Most players do not expect to see any of their funds and now believe the empty promises and positive updates were part of the scam to remain operational in Malta while collecting from new depositors.
06.22.2008 11:15 PM 1SportWagering enters the SBR Rating Guide with an F rating. 1SportWagering is part of the EZ Sports Group. The most recent EZ Sports complaint came from a player with sister book Vegas-Sportsbetting (SBR rating F) in February. The player won almost $5,000 on a Giants Super Bowl futures wager. Shortly after requesting his winnings he was locked out of his account. The group has stiffed big futures winners in the past. The scam allows the book to take continous action on multiple teams through out the season, eventually stiffing only those who bet on the championship team. The majority of the EZ future bet bettors never realize they risked funds with nothing to gain.
06.21.2008 11:25 PM USAsportsbook enters the SBR rating guide at F. USAsportsbook is the second Futurebet (now called iGaming Software) sportsbook to enter the SBR Rating Guide this week. SBR will continue to look for sports betting sites affiliated with the scam group. Futurebet is known to recycle sportsbook brands prior to football season.
06.20.2008 09:01 PM 888Sport enters the SBR Rating Guide at B
888's sports wagering center is serviced by
BlueSquare (SBR rating A-). 888Sport.com is hosted on BlueSquare's servers, and utilizes the same Orbis software. The gaming giant partnered with BlueSquare in March to add sports betting to its poker and casino brand. 888's financial transactions and customer service will be handled in-house.
06.19.2008 07:57 PM SBR Bash Entertainment: Doug Stanhope
SBRforum is pleased to announce comedian Doug Stanhope will be performing at the SBR Bash in Las Vegas Saturday, August 23rd. SBRforum posters are invited to The SBR
bash
to be held August 22 - 23 at the Golden Nugget. The two
day event will offer a golf and poker tournament, contest, raffles and
banquet. Hotel rooms will be free to SBRforum posters with at least 100
posts. The SBR Bash will benefit the St. Judes Children's Hospital. |
View details and register here!
06.18.2008 10:51 PM New sportsbook, PokersDNA, enters rating guide at FPokersDNA is the newest Futurebet Scam sportsbook to enter the SBR Rating Guide. Futurebet now calls itself iGamingSoftware or IGS and will deny it has any relation to Futurebet when questioned by prospective clients. Players can identify these fly-by-night websites by the platform's IGS ClickCashier banking system. Examples include
https://account.clickcashier.com/oddsmaker/ and the unbranded version used by PokersDNA,
https://account.clickcashier.com/IGS/. Players aware of an unrated
clickcashier casino or sportsbook are urged to contact
SBR.
06.17.2008 11:22 PM
1LuckyGambler enters the SBR rating guide at D-
1LuckyGambler is a Costa Rica-based sportsbook that uses the
Sportsbook.com (SBR rating D-) hosting and service center. Bettors are advised to steer clear of the S
portsbook.com group which has scammed many players over the past year. Sportsbook.com is four months behind in payment to some players due to a lack of processing resources.
06.16.2008 10:22 PM Scam sportsbook USDbet (SBR rating F) soliciting new players it cannot pay
USDbet has been unable to pay players since August of 2007. The sportsbook advertised on sports betting forums while complaining about its blacklist status on SportsbookReview. Once its processor refused to give the book player funds it collected on its behalf, USDbet stopped answering player emails. USDBet.com continues to take deposits and will likely aggressively market bonuses prior to the start of football season. Players should be aware of these scams that utilize money-first gambling portals to appear to be legitimate operations.
Player: Hi, I've been using USDBet for 2 months now, and I've won quiet a bit of money. They appeared to be a creditable looking website, I've been able to get answers to question regarding bonuses and different betting types via email, but when it comes to making a withdrawal, I don't get any response.
I actually spoke to someone once via there live chat once, and they said there withdrawals wont be activated for 3/4 weeks due to a change in management (but they keep accept deposits?!?!?)
There live chat very rarely works, and there 1800 number rings out. (Although, rarely, I actually do get someone on the live chat, but I've tried over 200 times and I've only gotten through twice). This is starting to really #$%! me off. Is there anything you can do to help me?
USDbet migrated to Futurebet from the
Sportsbook.com Group in December of 2006.
06.15.2008 09:56 PM AscotSports (not rated) officially closed. Ascot has sold its casino business to 9 Technologies Sdn. and El Moro Finance Ltd. which will continue to operate the casino under AscotEcasino.com.
Ascot sports bettors continue to withdraw funds from AscotSports.com.
06.14.2008 10:56 PM Oddsmaker (SBR rating D-) cancels winning bets; cites bonus terms
A new player accepted a free $200 account offer from
Oddsmaker. He also deposited $500 in order to increase the amount of money he could risk at once. The sportsbook confiscated all winnings including money won from the player's deposit. Oddsmaker states that the player made a parlay which is against the bonus terms and the reason for management's decision.
Player: I got the letter offering a $200 bonus for signing up. $200 is too little to play so I added $500 cash at the same time. That gave me $700 to play with. I ran it to $3600 winnings that weekend when I inquired how much of it was available for withdrawal they told me none that I had broke the rules by betting a parlay. I made a good 20 straight bets before any parlay and then another 20 bets after that.
All those bets were in the $100-$300 range. When they refused to pay I asked if they were going to refund my $500 if I had lost. Of course not, so what they were saying is I risked $500 cash with no chance of winning and they weren't going to let me know I broke the rules or was playing for nothing until 1) I went broke 2) I tried to make a withdrawal.
In my mind the bet I broke the rules on (which I was unaware of) should have voided the $200 and either 1) they notify me 2) All bets from then on were good. In reality considering I never lost the $200 all bets should have counted. They continued to let me make numerous bets and run up the figure and if I hadn't inquired can you imagine if I had ran it to 10 or 15 large how much more pissed I had been. You know in this business you go hot and cold I got hot at the wrong time with the wrong book. I probably lose $30,000 to $40,000 a year. To win back 3,000-4,000- is a good weekend. What really pissed me off is I had bets pending. When I called and those bets weren't honored after all was said and done I was really irked. They told me my figure would be reset to $500 after ALL pending bets were graded.Go figure. Thanks for your help.
06.13.2008 11:48 PM New player victim to sportsbook impersonator
Player: After hearing about how good Legendz was and that you gave it an A+ rating I decided to join. I went to LegendsSportsbook.com and sent 250 bucks! It wasnt until 2 week later when i tried to get there from SBRlines did i realize they were two different websites! I checked the rating guide and realised a scammer has my money.
Robbie, formerly of defunct Apex Sports (SBR rating F) is operating legendsportsbook.com which has attracted bettors looking for the real Legendz (SBR rating A+). SBR has warned players since 2006 of LasPalmasSportsbook.com after readers reported depositing in what they believed to be LasPalmas (SBR rating B-). Bettors should also beware of OceanSportsbook (SBR rating F) and AmericasBookie (SBR rating F). Both are part of this network of scam sites.
06.11.2008 09:21 PM Third Enterbet (SBR rating D) reports slow-pay in two months
The player, who tells SBR this is only his 2nd payout request in seven years as a customer, asked for a $1500 payout in April but only received $500 one month later. Enterbet tells the player that challenges with "
processing" are to blame. The sportsbook has at least two other players on payment plans which have not been honored. Enterbet, part of
Goto Entertainment, has been known to stall owed players until football season when deposits begin to fund the sportsbook. GoTo
Sportsbooks have taken up to two years to settle with players.
Player: I was given this website to check on a sports book that I am having difficulty getting my funds from. I am hardly a large player; I had a balance of $2000 when I made a withdrawal request for $1500. The information posted on the website says that withdrawals are processed on Monday's. I requested my withdrawal the first week in April of this year. After a month I did receive a $500 payout, and now over a month beyond that I still wait for the rest of my request.
I am constantly told, in a nice manner I might add, that the laws limit their Western Union payments in amount and number per week. I guess I find this hard to believe. It seems a scam. Honestly I have been a customer of Enterbet ( I am not sure if the owners are the same now) for 7 years, and I have only had one winning campaign before this year. That year, three years ago, I was paid by a check sent to my home address.
I would appreciate any help you can offer me and any clarification of laws and rules that I am not privy too. I would also love to have a list of sports books who you have found reliable and honorable.
06.10.2008 06:29 PM Maintenance Notice: The SBR network of websites, including SportsbookReview.com, SBRforum.com and
live odds program, SBRlines.com will be off-line tomorrow morning from 12:30 Costa Rica time (GMT -6) for scheduled server
maintenance. Downtime is estimated to last two hours.
06.09.2008 10:14 PM GamblingSaloon (SBR rating F) closes with player funds. Account holder "
Mike" tells SBR the site is now off-line leaving no instructions on collecting his $300 balance. GamblingSaloon was an
Interactive Gaming Systems Group sportsbook. IGS took the remainder of its small turnkey hosted sportsbooks off-line earlier this month.
06.08.2008 11:24 PM KingsTreasureCasino enters the SBR Rating Guide at F
KingsTreasureCasino is a newly rated sportsbook from Futurebet which is now calling itself IGaming Software. Futurebet is servicing multiple no-pay sportsbooks like SportsbookUSA (SBR rating F) USDbet (SBR rating F) and MonkeyBet (SBR rating F). MonkeyBet and USDbet remain online as a deposit-only sportsbook websites and are marketing 100% bonuses.
06.07.2008 11:35 PM BetWay (SBR rating D+) confiscates earned free-play winnings
BetWay claims at least five players followed the directions of a third party website on how to utilize bonuses and cashout in the shortest amount of time possible. Although this is not the type of play the sportsbook hopes to gain from the promotion, Betway does not have rules against betting with the intention of earning bonuses quickly and utilizing the sportsbook only for that reason. In email discussion Betway refers to this action as "the money method." SBR has asked Betway to reconsider honoring all wagers and allow SBR to advise on the promotion's terms and conditions. BetWay has been downgraded from C to D+.
BetWay to SBR: In the case of the 5 accounts in question, we remain firm that the evidence is clear that these players came through a site which openly teaches players how to abuse bonuses.
BetWay to user: After analyzing Metododiheiro.com, we have seen that the "Money Method" promotes a step-by-step guide and workshop for systematic abuse of free bet bonus offers on 50+ Sportsbook sites. Betway were not aware of Metododinheiro.com and the promotion of this scheme until recently.
06.06.2008 09:38 PM InstantActionSports (SBR rating C-) agrees to honor winnings and earned bonuses
InstantActionSports tells SBR it will honor all earned bonuses and winnings from players involved in the "Moneybookers Bonus"
dispute. A low five-figure sum is expected to be returned to players tomorrow. SBR will meet with IAS and advise on bonus policies for non-recreational players. Management has also stated that winnings and bonuses, where the wagering requirements have been met, will not be taken from valid account holder balances.
06.05.2008 11:56 PM Bet911 no-pay and no response; downgraded to D-
The sportsbook has not responded to player an SBR requests for a promised payment of $1,750. A second player reports a 3.5 week $740 slow-pay.
Bet911 last responded to SBR and assured payment in March. Bettors are reminded to avoid small unproven sportsbooks that may be attempting to hold on until they can begin collecting deposits from new football bettors. Sportsbooks that focus on U.S. sports are entering the slowest part of the betting year.
06.04.2008 11:44 PM InstantActionSports (SBR rating C-) fails to update SBR and players on multiple complaints of earned bonus and winnings
confiscation today as promised. SBR will continue to seek updates on behalf of players. IAS has been downgraded to C-.
06.03.2008 11:24 AM 10a1 enters the SBR Rating Guide at B-. 10a1.com targets Spanish speaking soccer bettors that is owned and operated by Gibraltar-based StanJames (SBR rating B).
06.02.2008 10:33 AM BetJoint (SBR rating C-) changes software, hosting
BetJoint has moved from
IDSA Hosting and its
ASI software to a new web hosting, wagering, and software solution that uses
BLR software. The turnkey solution is shared with
BetSportsInc (SBR rating D). BetSportsInc first entered the rating guide at F after utilizing BetCascade's system. The small book tells SBR it left Cascade's platform after learning of player no-pays. BetJoint is currently under review for
canceling winning wagers.
06.01.2008 01:06 PM Two AscotSports (not rated) players paid; book extends withdrawal deadline to June 14th
The book's management has assured SBR that they are catching up with pending cashouts and has hinted that a deal, possibly with another sportsbook, is in the works behind the scenes. SBR will continue to follow developments and pending payments.
05.31.2008 01:54 PM SBR office Tours: View photos of BetBlackDog (SBR rating C-) here. The sportsbook is located in a two-floor complex called Plaza Rubi in Costa Rica. SBR was first contacted by BlackDog users almost one year ago with
reports that the book was misrepresenting itself as being affiliated with other known brands
5Dimes (SBR rating A) and
BetRoyal (SBR rating D-) in an effort to acquire their players. BlackDog management tells SBR it has dismissed the offending members of its sales staff and "
any mention of any other sportsbook would result in immediate termination." SBR has not received any BlackDog withdrawal or wagering complaints. BlackDog has been added to the SBR rating guide at C-.
05.29.2008 09:49 PM InstantActionSports (SBR rating C) confiscates winnings, earned bonuses
The sportsbook sent an email to two account holders stating that they will not honor a "50% moneybookers bonus and winnings from the bonus due to sharp play" after the bettors won wagers and already completed their rollover wagering requirements. SBR has contacted
sportsbook management stating that retroactively voiding wagers and deducting bonuses after the requirements have been met is considered theft. SBR has asked IAS to reconsider this decision and employ better risk management and more appropriate bonus terms. SBR advises sportsbooks to identify undesireable play as soon as possible and prorate the bonus before parting ways with the customer. The players have pointed out that they would have placed the wagers at a different sportsbook with deposited funds had IAS declined to service them. A final decision from InstantAction is expected tomorrow.
05.28.2008 11:29 AM Hosting service EagleDP shuts down new sportsbook, NoJuice99
Eagle tells SBR they "were not comfortable with what NoJuice99's owner was trying to do" and will not be working with him further. The sportsbook had a gimmick model, offering a bonus on vig-free wagers to forum players, with no chance of success. The sportsbook website was launched in May. No deposits were known to be accepted before the site was taken down.
05.27.2008 09:29 PM Enterbet (SBR rating D) slow-paying player already on payment plan
Two Enterbet winning players are currently being forced to accept installment plans. Management originally told SBR this account would be paid in full. Payment plans for GoTo Entertainment Group account holders who are considered to be "sharp" have taken over a year in previous cases.
Player:
Here is the scoop- I have now received 3 Western Unions for $250 each.They still owe me around $1900 or so.When last you talked to Barry he apparently told you he would take care of the remained and that was a month and a half ago. My original request date was in late February or early March. I emailed Barry last week and have not yet heard the latest
05.26.2008 11:28 PM New sportsbook NoJuice99 enters the SBR rating guide at D-. NoJuice99.com is a turnkey sportsbook site hosted by
Eagle Data Processing in Costa Rica. The site was opened earlier this month and is promoting vig-free betting and a 20% bonus. SBR expects EagleDP to either close the sportsbook or prohibit it from taking deposit business. Players should steer clear of these too-good-to-be-true offers. Often these incentives come with requests for Western Union deposits or other off-site deposit options that allow anyone with a sportsbook the ability to collect nonrefundable cash deposits. Once the cash is collected the site owner can abandon the scam with a profit.