News on scam sports betting operations, events and business deals within the offshore sports gambling industry.
02.09.2012 (05:52 PM CST)
Moneybookers refunds two players' 21KBet depositsMoneybookers has refunded two players' 21KBet deposits. The players were credited a total of €210; each player had been waiting for payouts of more than €400.
21KBet has refused to honor its outstanding payment obligations, claiming that it has no access to deposited funds. Moneybookers has received a slew of complaints from 21KBet users, and has communicated with SBR to verify the situation. 21KBet is presently not replying to SBR's inquiries on the status of player funds. 21KBet users have reported being slow-paid more than €28,000. The last reported payment from a 21KBet player was a €670 bank transfer posted last month.
21KBet is currently rated D- and a part of the SBR
scam sportsbook blacklist. 21KBet's rating will be adjusted to F if no attempt to settle the delinquent requests is made by the close of the month. Players that are owed funds from the sportsbook that have not yet written SBR are asked to file a
complaint form.
02.08.2012 (09:12 AM CST)
Industry news update (video)
SBR Forum video analyst Peter Loshak breaks down the latest
sportsbook industry news in the below piece:
21KBet (SBR rating D-) players have submitted 28
payment complaints. The players are owed €28,342. Most of the players are waiting for payouts via Moneybookers, while some are hoping for bank transfer and Paypal.
21KBet has gone dark in its communication with SBR, and provides only generic updates to players. The sportsbook has largely blamed Moneybookers for the delays. SBR received a statement from Moneybookers that clarified 21KBet is not a registered gaming merchant, and that it would look into the user complaints. 21KBet offered 100% bonuses to lure in players, and appears to be uninterested in righting the ship. The last known payment was €670 last month to a player by bank transfer. 21KBet remains on SBR's
sportsbook blacklist.
WSEX Sportsbook (SBR rating D-) is now more than
$700,000 behind on payments. The troubled sportsbook has seen its player debt increase each month, as users continue to file complaints against the once well-regarded outfit.
WSEX is still pinning the blame on procesors and the US climate for the delays, although most people by now recognize that the sportsbook is simply not making enough money to pay all of its players, and is either unwilling or unable to clear the debts out of pocket. WSEX is in a state that is referred to as "operating on the float" - that is, only releasing payments once more deposits come in. Based on the amount of payments that are being reported, the indication is that not many deposits are rolling in for WSEX. WSEX is still working email to try to bring in new clients, launching different casino promos and creating the impression that all is well with the Antiguan bookmaker. WSEX players have been waiting as far back as October of 2009 in some cases.
In a refreshing bit of good news, SBR reported that the
DGS casino was certified as fair by renowned company Jacobson Gaming LLC. Headquartered in San Jose, Costa Rica, DGS is one of the industry's most widely used software. Jacobson Gaming, which is run by Dr. Eliot Jacobson, PhD, extensively tested the random number generator used in DGS games. DGS successfully passed the auditing process, which includes game fairness tests, RNG and statistical testing.
Players in need of sportsbook assistance have numerous options to get in touch with SBR. Players can either file a
sportsbook complaint form, write to SBR
directly, telephone SBR (1-830-255-4677), or sound off publicly by
registering at SBR Forum and creating a post in the
Sportsbook Feedback section.
02.07.2012 (10:24 AM CST)
12Bet enforces unfair bonus rules12Bet Sportsbook (SBR rating D-) is the subject of dispute analyst Justin7's "Are You Serious?" video segment.
12Bet Sportsbook is enforcing an unethical rule that allows for the confiscation of bonus + winnings, if a bettor fails to meet rollover in a 30-day period. One such player wrote SBR, detailing that he deposited €1200 for a €230 bonus; the player won €5186, but did not meet the rollover in a one-month timeframe. 12Bet voided the bonus and all winnings.
12Bet's rules also state that wagers placed at odds less than 2.00 (+100) do not count toward rollover. A 12Bet player who would have met rollover (counting favourites) had €3252 in winnings confiscated for not having met rollover soon enough.
A third 12Bet player wrote SBR with a wagering complaint. The player placed a soccer match at odds of 1.77 (-129) and noticed that the next day his ticket was adjusted to read 2.77 (+177). Following the settlement of the wager, 12Bet voided the play.
12Bet's unusual rules are often referred to as "gotcha" rules. These rules are designed to profit from players that unknowingly agree to bizarre and irregular terms. In contract law, such enforcements are rarely upheld. 12Bet has been assessed with an opening rating of D-, and is indexed on the SBR blacklist.
Players with feedback or grievances should file a sportsbook complaint form, or write to SBR directly at help@sportsbookreview.com. Additionally, players may dial 1-830-255-4677 to speak with a dispute analyst.
02.07.2012 (08:16 AM CST)
Unibet to acquire BetchoiceUnibet (SBR rating B-) Sportsbook has signed an agreement to acquire Betchoice. Unibet will enter the regulated Australian betting market. Unibet's acquisition price is £13.6 million; the deal, which transfers 100% of Betchoice Corporation Pty Ltd.'s shares, is said not to contain any liabilities. Completion of the deal is still subject to approval by the Northern Territory regulator; this process is expected to be completed before the end of Q2 2012.
Unibet intends to completely rebrand BetChoice to Unibet following what they refer to as a "short transition period". Unibet CEO Henrik Tjärnström spoke of the acquisition in an official company press release distributed this morning.
Unibet CEO Henrik Tjärnström: “This strategic acquisition gives Unibet immediate access to the regulated Australian market, which is currently open to sports betting and horse racing. We intend to rebrand the business quickly to Unibet. Betchoice already has a strong offering and market position in horse racing and through Kambi, Unibet has the opportunity to enhance the quality and performance of Betchoice’s sports betting offering and so to deliver revenue growth and margin improvements... In addition to benefit from the already existing Australian product offering, the acquisition of Betchoice will provide Unibet with a platform to facilitate other gambling services and opportunities should market conditions continue to improve.”
SBR expects Unibet to refine its standards of enforcing house rules as they enter a regulated Australian market. Though Unibet is licensed by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) of Malta; SBR has found that operators prefer Malta for its lax positions on player disputes and the ease of setting up shop. Unibet's operating procedure has until this point been to cut off communications with a player determined to be in violation of house rules, and has not been willing to fully satisfy SBR's inquiries in regards to player confiscations, such as in this
sportsbook dispute reported in December of 2011.
SBR will attempt to revisit outstanding claims with Unibet, hoping that the company's recent good news will compel it to more satisfactorily address player disputes. |
Read the full Unibet press release
02.06.2012 (04:29 PM CST)
BetUS bonus dispute resolved; new complaint submittedBetUS (SBR rating D+) has credited $350 to the player whose bonus winnings were confiscated, from SBR's
report on January 30th, 2012. The player was labeled non-recreational and had only $383 refunded from an $1,100 balance. SBR spoke with BetUS to discuss proration of the player's bonus winnings.
BetUS reopened the player's account and credited $350. The player is free to request a withdrawal. SBR considers this dispute fairly resolved.
A BetUS player has filed a sportsbook complaint. A player tells SBR that he requested approximately $400 more than five weeks ago, and has yet to be paid. SBR is following up on this player dispute.
BetUS players with payout complaints are asked to submit a sportsbook complaint form, or dial 1-830-255-4677 during normal business hours to speak with a Sportsbook Review dispute analyst.
02.05.2012 (07:32 AM CST)
Blacklisted sportsbook 21KBet now slow-paying 28 players21KBet Sportsbook (SBR rating D-) now has 28 slow-pays on file. Players are owed €28,342.
21KBet claims to be headquartered in Malta. SBR has confirmed that the sportsbook does not hold a license from the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA). The LGA itself categorically denied that the slow-pay outfit held a license, after 21KBet displayed a seal on its website.
21KBet is refusing to address the payment issues. The sportsbook has made wild accusations that Moneybookers is the reason that players (even those who used bank transfer or Paypal) are not receiving payment. Moneybookers spoke with SBR to deny that that the sportsbook was a gaming merchant. SBR notes that even if 21KBet has used its outgoing transfer limit as a MB business account, it would still be free to withdraw its balance and immediately make payment to players an alternate way. The last confirmed payment from a 21KBet was a €670 bank transfer.
On January 16th, dispute analyst "Justin7" made a video report concerning 21Kbet:
21KBet is indexed on the SBR
scam sportsbook blacklist, and is to be avoided.
02.04.2012 (04:28 PM CST)
VIP Sports player still waits for $500 paymentA former VIP Sports (SBR rating B-) player writes to SBR with a payment complaint. The player says that he was supposed to be sent a $500 check to settle his account with VIP Sports last year. The player has shared communication with VIP Sports that indicates a specific courier method as well as tracking number. This payment was never received. The
VIP Sports customer service box is no longer being managed, after the sportsbook (along with sister sites Nine.com and BetGameday)
shut its doors on 1 August 2011.
On September 5th, SBR
reported that
GTBets (SBR rating C) would honor all VIP group players' balances. GTBets is a new Curacao based bookmaker managed by former VIP managers and using the VIP servers and software. The sportsbook mirroring VIP is an attempt to capitalize on the good name the brand once held. SBR has confirmed that GTBets has honored more than $35,000 in payments, which was believed to be all outstanding requests. SBR will speak with management concerning the $500 botched check withdrawal.
02.03.2012 (05:53 PM CST)
Scam alert: 21KBet Sportsbook not paying players21KBet Sportsbook (SBR rating D-) is not paying its players. The Malta-based sportsbook is currently behind on €25,143 in payments to players. The last reported payment, made via bank transfer, was for €670. Of twenty-six players owed, seven are waiting for banktransfer, one Paypal and the rest Moneybookers.
SBR
reported on 4 January 2012 that
21KBet blamed Moneybookers for not being able to issue payments via that method, claiming that it had no access to deposited funds. Moneybookers refuted part of 21KBet's assertions, stating that the bookmaker was not a registered gaming merchant. 21KBet declined to comment on why it could not pay players via an alternate method, or why players that deposited via other methods are also not being paid.
On January 16th, SBR
reported that the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) of Malta issued a statement denying that 21KBet holds a gaming license.
21KBet is no longer communicating with SBR and is providing only generic updates to players on the status of their funds. SBR advises all users to avoid the
blacklisted sportsbook.
21KBet players with feedback or complaints are asked to submit a sportsbook complaint form, or dial 1-830-255-4677 during normal business hours to speak with a Sportsbook Review dispute analyst.
02.02.2012 (03:49 PM CST)
YouWin confiscation disputeYouWin (SBR rating D+) has reportedly confiscated €128 in winnings from a player. A player wrote SBR indicating that his
YouWin account was created on 17 January 2012. The player deposited €250 via Moneybookers before increasing his balance to €378. YouWin attempted to call the player on February 1st, leaving the player a message. The player explained to YouWin that he was at work during their message and asked to arrange a call the following day. YouWin allegedly responded by closing the player's account, refunding his initial deposit to Moneybookers. The player claims to have no idea what he has done wrong. SBR is following up on this sportsbook complaint.
On January 5th, SBR reported that
YouWin Sportsbook confiscated €14,677 from players in 2011. Although management initially expressed the willingness to work with SBR in resolving player disputes, the sportsbook has been uncooperative in recent discussions.
YouWin players with feedback or complaints are asked to submit a sportsbook complaint form, or dial 1-830-255-4677 during normal business hours to speak with a Sportsbook Review dispute analyst.
02.01.2012 (06:00 PM CST)
TowerGaming feedback wantedA TowerGaming (SBR rating D+) player states that he requested payment of €527 on January 25th to Moneybookers. The player's withdrawal request was cancelled. The player states that on January 31st he requested payment again, and yet to receive his credit. Multiple emails to
TowerGaming have went unanswered. SBR is following up on this sportsbook complaint.
On January 20th 2012, SBR reported that a TowerGaming player had winnings confiscated. TowerGaming confiscated €381 from a player on the grounds that the sportsbook's welcome bonus was intended for recreational sports bettors only. SBR is currently discussing this situation with TowerGaming management and will update this report.
TowerGaming players in need of sportsbook assistance are asked to fill out a sportsbook
complaint form. Alternatively, players may reach Sportsbook Review by writing to
help@sportsbookreview.com or by dialing 1-830-255-4677 during
normal business hours.