SBR review: Bet24

Unibet not honouring Bet24 players' future wagers?

On April 12th, 2012, SBR reported that Unibet (SBR rating B-) agreed to acquire Bet24 (SBR rating C). Unibet spent €13.5 million on the acquisition. As part of the deal, a few dozen Bet24 employees were transferred over to Unibet. A Bet24 player wrote SBR stating that his future bets will not be migrated over to the Unibet platform.   | Read more

Unibet agrees to acquire Bet24

Unibet (SBR rating B-) signed an agreement Wednesday to acquire Nordic Betting Ltd, operator of Bet24 (SBR rating C). As part of the €13.5 million acquisition, a few dozen Bet24 employees will be transferred to Unibet's Maltese headquarters. The deal is still subject to regulatory approval, which is expected to take place within the next two months. Nordic Betting Ltd's gross revenue for 2011 was reportedly €10.5 million. Unibet, listed on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm, has been in operation since 1997.

Bet24 player has balance confiscated

A Bet24 (SBR rating C) player claims that €214 was confiscated. The player states that after asking for a withdrawal, Bet24 stated that he was guilty of operating multiple accounts --- a claim the player denies. Bet24 has currently not provided comment to SBR, and has not offered the player proof of its allegation.

On July 27th, SBR published an interview with Bet24 regarding an electronic security breach. Nordic Betting Limited, which operates Bet24, sent an email to all player accounts informing them of the breach.

SportsAlive - the online sportsbook down under goes under

In the days following SportsAlive's collapse, reports indicate that bettors are expected to be out hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Australian sportsbook was unrated by SportsbookReview, but held a gaming license with the Australian Capital Territory Government. The license required a security bond of $250,000, though that amount is not believed to be near enough to honor player balances. A HeraldSun report indicates that one bettor alone is apparently owed $110,000. The private company's unexpected closure has been the subject of discussion  at SBRforum, in industry topic SportsAlive ceases operations.

Some readers point out that customer funds were supposed to be held in escrow, removed from their day-to-day operations under ACT regulations, however it remains to be seen whether the company was in full compliance of this requirement.  A liquidator was appointed to the SportsAlive case on Thursday, August 25th, 2011.

In addition to punters, investors in SportsAlive are believed to be out up to $5 million. The Australian state-run betting agency TOTE Tasmania reportedly held a 25% stake in the betting company. TheMercury reports that a number of private investors were affected, including investor Peter Sidwell who is expected to lose in the neighborhood of $500,000. SportsAlive reportedly turned a profit of $9 million in the past two years. It is currently unknown how SportsAlive mismanaged its asset or was in the position of trading whilst insolvent. Two SBR readers reached out to SportsbookReview, filing SportsAlive sportsbook complaints. | Read SportsAlive complaints  | Read more

Bet24 players victims of electronic data theft

Nordic Betting Limited, which operates Bet24.com, has sent an email to all account-holders informing them of an electronic security breach. Bet24 was infiltrated by an unknown number of persons with access to the sportsbook databases. Bet24 returned SBR's inquiries this week expanding on the letter sent to players where it was stated that personal information including account passwords were compromised for as many as two full years. |

SBR: When did it first become apparent that individuals were in possession of customer data, and how do we know that customers registered after fall of 2009 weren't effected?

Bet24: Very recently we have been informed by the police authorities, following an arrest on their side. We have also made us aware that several other companies have experience unlawful intrusions and data were found with the arrested persons. We have no information to indicate any unauthorised access to our database or breach of our security systems since December 2009, and we have no reason to believe that accounts registered after 31 October 2009 are affected in any way. | Read the rest of the Bet24 interview  | Read more

Bet24 player has account closed

A Bet24 (SBR rating C) tells SBR that his account has been closed due to being linked with other accounts. The player registered to Bet24 one year ago, depositing for a 50% bonus offer. After submitting his ID documents, the player attempted a withdrawal of €108.50 before his account was disabled. | Bet24 history  | Read more

Bet24 removes player's winnings

Bet24 (SBR rating C) has removed  £355 in winnings from a player's account. On December 3rd, a player deposited £100, he increased his balance to £355 before being locked out of his acction. Bet24 asked the player to provide a copy of identification. After the player obliged their request, Bet24 stated that his account would be closed due to being linked to other accounts. The player denies being connected to any other accounts. On October 13th, SBR reported that Bet24 seized a player's winnings citing the same, however, no explanation was provided to the player or SBR. SBR is following up on Bet24's funds removal complains.

Bet24 player has winnings removed

A Bet24 (SBR rating C) player submits a sportsbook complaint. On 10/12 the player deposited €140 and placed a series of wagers that increased his balance to over €1,000. After making the profit, the player requested a withdrawal and sent in a copy of his passport. Bet24 approved the ID by e-mail confirmation later that night, but the player says the morning of October 13th his balance was adjusted to €140. Customer service informed the player that his account was linked to other accounts and has been blocked. He was told he could withdraw his deposit at anytime. The player denies being linked to other accounts. SBR is investigating.

Bet247USA Sportsbook is currently off-line

Bet247USA (SBR rating D-) is currently off-line. One concerned player with a $39,000 balance wrote in that he has been unable to contact Bet247USA. The listed phone number of 1-800-737-7059 is not currently functional. SBR will update this report as more information becomes available.

Rating Change: Bet247USA

Bet247USA downgraded from D to D-

Rating Change: Ubet247

Ubet247 Bet247USA downgraded from D to D-

Bet247USA commits theft of player funds and bonus

Bet247USA (SBR rating D) has confiscated $2200 in winnings and $500 in earned bonuses. On November 12th a player deposited $500 by Moneygram and received a $500 cash bonus. By December 21st the player met his 10X rollover and increased his balance to $3200. He proceeded to make a withdrawal request, which was then cancelled by Bet247USA. $2200 in winnings were docked along with $500 of the earned bonus cash. The player was left with a $500 balance. Bet247USA has justified its decision by stating that bonuses are not intended to be used by professional players. SBR has downgraded Bet247USA to D- and considers the action theft.  | Read more

Rating Change: Ubet247

Ubet247 - SBR initiates rating coverage at C

Bet1128 unjustly cancels winning bet?

Rating Change: Ubet247

Ubet247 <A class=ab href="http://www.sportsbookreview.com/sbr/bet247usa">Bet247usa</A> - SBR initiates rating at D

Rating Change: Bet247USA

Bet247USA <A class=ab href="http://www.sportsbookreview.com/sbr/bet247usa">Bet247usa</A> - SBR initiates rating at D