Online Sportsbook scams are a multimillion-dollar business. Over the last 5 years
we've seen players lose millions of dollars, not because their bets lost, but because
they sent money to scam sportsbooks. Here at Sportsbook Review, we rate every known
sportsbook and issue SCAM Alerts to protect you and your money. Before you even
think about sending money offshore, check the SBR
SCAM Alert and the
Rating Guide.
07.01.09 (10:58 PM CST) Shilbet (SBR rating F) continues to confiscate balances without explanation and lock players out of accounts. The Costa Rica based soccer sportsbook has not responded to SBR inquiries since threatening legal action.
06.28.09 (11:30 PM CST) Shilbet not paying or answering winner emails
Multiple Shilbet (SBR rating F) no-pay complaints are received this weekend following last week's reports of fraud. Players are advised to attempt withdrawals and warn other players about Shilbet.com.
06.27.09 (11:06 PM CST) PremierRacebook enters the SBR rating Guide at FPremierRacebook.com is a new sportsbook website from the
Apex Sportsbook (SBR rating F) Group. The most heavily marketed sportsbook from the operation is
Bet33 (SBR rating F).
06.26.09 (09:38 PM CST) Shilbet SCAM: Evidence of fraud mountsSBR received complaints from 19 players against
Shilbet (SBR rating F) complaining of widespread fraud and balance confiscations. The first wave of complaints occurred after the June 10th, 2009 soccer match between Ecuador and Argentina.
Shilbet offered odds of 4.0 on Ecuador, and did not lower the odds as the rest betting market moved against them. Multiple players bet on Ecuador at 4.0, and won their wagers. When Ecuador won the match 2-0. Shilbet changed the winning wagers of twelve players to a losing halftime bet on Ecuador (the halftime score was 0-0). Of the eight players that confirmed risk amounts, $10,438 in winnings were stolen.
SBR also received three complaints on the grading of the June 18, 2009 match between England and Spain (under 19). All three players complained that their wagers were changed from full game to first half wagers, resulting in winning wagers becoming losers. Two of the players had $900 in winnings stolen (with the third player’s amount in question).
SBR received several complaints about the grading of tennis matches. Several players bet on the June 24, 2009 tennis match between Schiavone and Larcher de Brito. The player backed Schiavone, but after the match the wager was changed to Larcher (making it a losing wager). The player provided screen shots of the altered wager
here. As a result of this switch, the player lost $1,550. Another player complained of his winning wager being changed to a losing one on the June 24, 2009 tennis match between Dushevina and Vesnina (the amount has not been verified). Supporting screen shots were included in the
Shilbet discussion thread here .
SBR received seven complaints that Shilbet closed a player’s account for “violating their rules,” and then confiscated the balances. $10,015 was confiscated from five of these players (two have not yet provided the amounts stolen). No further explanation was given to the players, and Shilbet is not responding to player emails. Shilbet initially stated that players were simply making errors and were mistaken on how their software worked. Shilbet stopped responding to SBR after the complaints and evidence against Shilbet accumulated.
06.23.09 (10:28 PM CST) Oddsmaker (SBR rating D-)management tells SBR they are reviewing the decision not to pay player winnings of $8,500. |
Oddsmaker.com decision
06.22.09 (06:12 PM CST) Shilbet (not rated) players submit screenshots suggesting Shilbet has purposely graded wagers wrong.
Since the
Shilbet report on June 17th SBR has received multiple complaints of winning wagers graded as half time losing bets. SBR concluded that Shilbet, at minimum, fails to properly label wagering options and wagering tickets.
Shilbet has threatened both SBR and its players with legal action in attempt to minimize the exposure of negative feedback.
Player:I placed bets on the 4.0 Quote in Equador (Game Equador X Argentina)Total bets in Equador: $405. Equador won 2-0 so I win $1620.They don´t pay saying that the odd was for haft time result and i should pay more atention. As I never had any problem with them I belived that was my mistake. A few days later the same happen in the game Spain U21 X England, but in this game I'm sure that the odds were for full time and complain with then... two days later they put the money in my account. Last friday i decided to withdraw some money from my account and they don´t pay. I have try several times to withdraw money and don´t receive nothing (they usually make payments in a few hours after request). Today I receive an email saying that my withdraw request was rejected. My account balance is $1075,50. And I also want that they pay me the $1620 from the game Equador X Argentina. This money is mine they are literally stilling my money!
Player: On my email of shilbet.com answered:
"About your inquire, the bet was placed on half time result and not full time result, therefor the outcome is correct.
You can see it for yourself in your "My sent forms" section, just click on the event and you will see two number under the notes section, 2 and 8. 2 means 3way bet and 8 means half time result bet."
But when I did bet there was not 8! Shilbet.com changed my wager too in the same manner, from full time result to half time result, making my winning wager lose. Help me please to get my winning, or the expended money.
06.20.09 (11:01 PM CST) SBR reader reports LegendRacebook.com. Legend Racebook is yet another sportsbook skin from the Apex Sportsbook/Bet33 platform. This URL is meant to attract players looking for LegendZ (SBR rating A+) Racebook.
06.19.09 (11:49 PM CST) SCAM ALERT: Imposter sportsbook site from Apex Sportsbook ownerBetPhoenixSports.com is designed to con players into believing they are actually playing with
B+ rated BetPhoenix (BetPhoenix.com). The new cyber-squatting website uses the
Phoenix brand but operates on the
Bet33 (SBR rating F) wagering platform. This is not the first time Robbie has tried to impersonate and capitalize on the reputation of other sportsbooks.
Apex owner, Robbie (AKA Zach), is operating
legendsportsbook.com which has attracted bettors looking for the real
Legendz (SBR rating A+).
06.18.09 (08:27 PM CST) Oddsmaker.com steals $8,500 in winnings from playerIn May of 2009 a player accepted a promotion offering $500 in free bets with a five time (5x) roll over (play-through) on his winnings that could not be withdrawn for 30 days. The player went on a winning streak and promptly turned the $500 in free plays into an $8,400 cash balance. The player told his father about the promotion. The father pursued the free-play from his residence in a different town but was denied due to the sportsbook targeting only specific bettors. The winning player was told that his winnings from the promotion will not be paid due to
Oddsmaker (SBR rating D-) taking issue with the fact that he shared the promotion with a third party without authorization. SBR has made its position clear that the matter of a third party's inactive account is not relevant to his winnings. Oddsmaker has confirmed the facts of the player's complaint and stated they will not pay him his May winnings because he "lied" about being authorized to refer others to the promotion and was "rude and arrogant" to the Oddsmaker.com staff.
Due to Oddsmaker's poor reputation they are required to target players with big bonuses who may be uneducated about the industry. SBR routinely receives complaints from players who are lucky enough to go on a winning run only to find the sportsbook has created a reason to deny winnings.
Oddsmaker partnered with no-pay scam group
Futurebet, now known as IGaming Software (IGS), in 2007. After Futurebet stiffed the majority of its licensee (turnkey) sportsbooks and kept its player deposits, it changed its brand name and website from Futurebet.com to
IGamingSoftware.com. Shortly before it stole licensee and player funds it made Oddsmaker and
BetOnUSA (SBR rating D-) its main revenue sources. IGS staff denies association with Futurebet despite the obvious signs such as site similarities, management, and using the same unique server.
SportsbookUSA (SBR rating F), was the one licensee owned by Futurebet and continues to operate as a deposit-only sportsbook site. |
Oddsmaker discussion
06.16.09 (10:51 PM CST) SunValleySportsbook enters the SBR rating Guide at F
SunValley is the second new sportsbook skin from the Apex Sportsbook Turnkey system to enter the SBR Rating Guide within the last week.
06.15.09 (07:05 PM CST) PlayTraders enters SBR rating guide at D-PlayTraders is a licensee of IGaming Software (formerly called Futurebet) which operates from Vancouver, Canada.
PlayTraders is a sister sportsbook of
Oddsmaker (SBR rating D-).
Oddsmaker is currently paying the majority of its players although SBR will soon report at least one new case of stolen player funds. Sister sportsbook,
SportsbookUSA (SBR rating F) has failed to pay players for years. SBR continues to receive no-pay complaints daily despite IGaming and Oddsmaker ownership no longer marketing the soiled brand.
Futurebet has stolen hundreds of thousands if not more than a million from players and licensees.
Forum:
Futurebet |
SportsbookUSA |
Oddsmaker
06.13.09 (11:19 PM CST) MetroSportsbook enters SBR rating guide at F
MetroSportsbook is one of many new brands in the Apex Sportsbook Group. Apex Sportsbook closed with player funds over four years ago. The same owner has recently put the website back online with the many other new websites names.
06.12.09 (07:58 AM CST) Defunct Apex Sportsbook (SBR rating F) back onlineApex websites, ApexSportsbook.com and ApexSportsbetting.com, return online five years after closing and stiffing players. The Apex websites were utilized as handicapping and betting tips sites by Apex owner, Robbie, AKA Zach, marketed his
new sportsbook ventures including his next sportsbook operation
Bet33 (SBR rating F).
ApexSportsbook is now one of many skins running on the Bet33 platform. Bet33, and even some players, have argued that the sportsbook should not have an F rating because the book has been online over three years and has not had any payout complaints filed against it. Bet33, its sister sites, and it's pay per head service, Realbookie.com, were built using the stolen funds from the original Apex Sports customers. Robbie has been asked multiple times in recent years to consider repaying his former customers.
06.08.09 (02:24 PM CST) MinnesotaCasino enters the SBR Rating guide at D- MinnesotaCasino is part of the slow-paying Costa Rica based sportsbook group
GoToEntertainment.
06.04.09 (07:26 PM CST) Dimeline Sportsbook (SBR Rating D+) threatens to confiscate player’s funds because he made negative comments about the bookDimeline Sports (SBR Rating D+) threatens to confiscate player’s funds because he made negative comments about the book. Dimeline Sportsbook threatened to confiscate a player's winnings of $4,450 because he posted negative remarks at
SBRforum. The player complained that Dimeline was unable to pay him through Moneybookers, his method of deposit, and agreed to instead accept a check. On June 3rd the withdrawal request was accepted and scheduled to be processed. On June 4th
Dimeline Sportsbook management discovered the player's statements, and demanded that he issue a retraction if he wanted his money. Dimeline then cancelled the withdrawal as the player refused to retract his statements. The player has been locked out of his account. SBR has verified the player's report with DimeLine. The player is hopeful the sportsbook will again process his payment tomorrow and put an end to the unprofessional behavior. |
Player on DLS
Dimeline Sports Update: Bonus and winnings confiscationsThree players originally filed complaints that the sportsbook had confiscated bonuses and winnings. The sportsbook pointed to the fact that the players, though they wagered over $100,000 and had their limits lowered, were not recreational and were undeserving of their deposit bonuses. The end result was removal of bonus funds while being forced to complete the rollovers that accompanied the promotions. If the players refused to continue wagering they were told their winnings "from the bonuses" would be withheld. The confiscations went on to effect seven players who all elected to bet their money per management instead of giving up a portion of their winnings.
DimeLine Sports now has a history of holding funds hostage and treating players unfairly.
06.03.09 (05:57 PM CST) GoldVictory no-pays continue; LGA of Malta states it is taking legal actionGoldVictory no-pays continue; LGA of Malta states it is taking legal actionGoldVictory (SBR Rating F) players continue to report no-pay complaints to SBR. The F rated sportsbook currently owes over a reported $100,000 in player funds. The Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta (LGA) stated that legal action has been taken against a director of Gold Victory Limited. The criminal proceedings are to take place in the Maltese Law Courts.
“Please note that one of the Directors of Gold Victory Limited is currently facing criminal proceedings in the Maltese Law Courts. The Lotteries and Gaming Authority feels that any further statements on its part could compromise the current legal proceedings, hence it will not comment pending the resolution of the court case. Once the proceedings are decided the Authority will be in a position to update the public with the developments of the case.”
Players should be aware that the involvement of the LGA and legal proceedings may not have any impact on their cases. The LGA was unable to assist when Maltese-licensed
BetChance (SBR Rating F) stiff many of their players and BetChance remains in operation.
GoldVictory has ceased taking action on any wagers and displays the following message on their website:
"We regret to inform you that for the time being all Sportsbook and Casino games have been suspended temporarily. We are working with the Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta (LGA) to verify
the precise nature of the situation.
Any updates regarding the situation will be posted here. Our sincerest apologies for the inco