SBR News and Business Wire

Vegas-Sportsbetting Player reports no-pay dating back to September 2007

07/19/2008 10:41 PM

7/19/2008 10:41:06 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.

Portlandbet (not rated) debits players for winning wagers citing bonus requirements

07/18/2008 11:36 PM

7/18/2008 11:36:14 PM - Portlandbet (not rated) debits players for winning wagers citing bonus requirements
Portlandbet 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.

Oddsmaker (SBR rating D-) refuses to settle wager dispute

07/17/2008 11:08 PM

7/17/2008 11:08:12 PM -

Oddsmaker (SBR rating D-) refuses to settle wager dispute; acknowledges fault
The 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

SBRforum Free Roll Poker Tournament: Thursday, July 24th

07/16/2008 11:04 PM

7/16/2008 11:04:09 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.

All-Sportsbook enters the SBR Rating Guide with an F rating.

07/15/2008 11:41 PM

7/15/2008 11:41:47 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.

New player reports frustration with no-pay sportsbook, LazerWager (SBR rating F)

07/14/2008 11:50 PM

7/14/2008 11:50:22 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.

DPT Sports Group to change software Sunday 10 pm Pacific

07/12/2008 12:54 PM

7/12/2008 12:54:12 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.

BettingStar24

07/11/2008 12:55 PM

7/11/2008 12:55:37 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.

Portlandbet (not rated) players report webalsite now allows for withdrawal request.

07/09/2008 11:54 PM

7/9/2008 11:54:02 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.

Portlandbet finally acknowledges customer concerns through website message

07/08/2008 09:35 AM

7/8/2008 9:35:10 AM - Portlandbet finally acknowledges customer concerns through website message
PortlandBet 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