SBR review: NTBet

Bookmaker AscotSports Closing?

Isle of Man sportsbook, AscotSports (not rated), appears to be closing its doors. Earlier this month the sportsbook posted a message that the site was closed due to "system maintenance and enhancements" but has since added a message asking players to withdraw their funds by May 31st. The Malaysian Insider has reported that the book's owner, Vincent Tan Chee Yioun, has decided to close Ascot. Some Ascot players found the bookmaker after a bonus offer to Pointbet (SBR rating F) victims was publicized. Players are hopeful that Ascot will close in good standing unlike Pointbet but are nervous because recent withdrawal requests have not been addressed. Some players report delays of two weeks. One casino winner with a balance of 18625 euro says he has been locked out of his account since May 5th. Ascot management had contacted SBR in April about a beginning the rating evaluation process but has not yet responded to player inquiries from earlier this week. Users should request their funds immediately.

Pointbet off-line

Rating Change: PointBet

PointBet Pointbet downgraded from D- to F

No-Pay bookmaker, Pointbet downgraded to F

Players from around the world are writing in daily to ask what they can do to increase their chances of receiving payment and to help keep others from becoming Pointbet victims. Pointbet.com is still accepting deposits from unsuspecting players yet the last report of payment was received in December of 2006. Debt to players is estimated to be into the millions. | Pointbet Discussion | Pointbet History |

Pointbet tries to con players into gambling their funds

Pointbet (SBR rating D-) tells multiple players they will receive payment faster if they wager with balances; ignore order of request. No-pay reports continue to reach new highs.

Excerpt from Pointbet Chat:
Pointbet: we suggest you to keep play with us, so you will be in active member list
Player: I have been playing with you for 3 years.
Player: So I have been very active always.
Player: Will it matter for my w/d if I don’t wager until I receive the funds?
Pointbet: there is no matter with the withdraw sir, for sure you will get the fund too
Pointbet: but it will takes a longer time
Player: Could you please explain why that is so
Pointbet: because we make a priority
Pointbet: the active member withdraw will be process first
Player: Please check if I am on the active player list
Pointbet: i have checked that you are not in the active player sir
Pointbet: because you don;t play with us any

Rating Change: PointBet

PointBet Pointbet downgraded from D to D-

Pointbet lowered to D-

Pointbet drops to D-. Players from around the world are reporting failed promises to pay on a daily basis. Some report having made their payout request over two months ago. The sportsbook is now telling users they must continue to wait but have not committed to a date or provided an excuse for not paying. Pointbet blames a recent earthquake in the region for intermittent website downtime over the past two weeks.

Player: You can add my name to the lsit of people who are owedd money by point bet They owe me $7500 for a couple of weeks. There website has been down all week. Have they disappeared? Do you know if anyone else has been paid?

Pointbet (SBR rating D) situation worsens

Despite confirmed reports of payment at the end of last year, the amount of withdrawal complaints from Pointbet users has peaked. Wait time for many have exceeded one month and complaints to SBR involve requests totaling over $100,000. Players should pursue their balances through whatever means possible.

Sportsbook Slow-pay Updates:

Some Pointbet (SBR rating D) slow-paid clients report recieving five figure payouts. This week’s BetUs (SBR rating D) and BetOnUSA (SBR rating D) withdrawals issues resolved. FutureBet’s SpyCasino.biz (SBR rating D-) pays owed players.

Rating Change: PointBet

PointBet Pointbet downgraded from D+ to D

More Pointbet users file claims with SBR

SBR Bill Dozer reports: Yesterday’s Pointbet (SBR rating D) report prompts new similar complaints. The sportsbook has been downgraded from D+  to D. SBR will continue to monitor this situation, and note further slow-pay complaints and any reports of players receiving a substantial payment. Latest player complaint:

Hi Guys, I have requested a withdrawal of GBP15000  from Pointbet on 1st December, my 1st withdrawal request in 4 years. I have just received the following email:
Dear ******, Thank you for your email
Last month, there were so many withdrawal requests made by members,
therefore we are processing it all with 1st in 1st out, we are sorry for the
delayed which it might have caused, hopefully your turn will come near these
days Best Regards, Vincent Wong [Pointbet CS]
I am concerned for my remaining balance of around GBP12000 and for other
players. It is a site you have mentioned before but I took no notice, on the
basis I have been with them for a long time without trouble. I would appreciate any advice you have. Thank you in Advance

Pointbet payout problems

Pointbet (SBR rating D+) payout problems continue. The sportsbook is offering large bonuses to new players via email while telling current users that they are unable to pay.

Player: I have been waiting 9 days now for a bank withdrawal. I have made 3 moneybookers withdrawals recently, and for each one I was initially told 24-48 hours. Each moneybookers took 7 days to come (and numerous complaints from me) - the excuse being that the moneybookers account was underfunded. Hence I decided on a bank withdrawal for GBP 8000, as there could be no such excuses for delays - and after 9 days I have now been told that members withdrawal requests are backed up "from last month" and i just basically have to wait indefinitely. This is despite the fact that last week when I queried the slow payment I was told "it will be done tomorrow" and "it will be done later today, please check back later". This is now in the area of serious slowplaying, and I have a very large balance at this book, so you can understand my concern and also my concern that other players and potential players at pointbet might be on the way to being scammed.

Pointbet users complain of withdrawal delays

Pointbet (SBR rating D+) users complain of latest withdrawal delays. Players are waiting between 5 to 10 days for payouts as was the case in July. The sportsbook admits that their Moneybookers merchant account is insufficiently funded and those who request larger sums are forced to wait. Pointbet has not offered clients alternative payment options.

Pointbet customer service feedback

Pointbet (SBR rating D+) customer service continues to disappoint.
Players report emails going unreturned and unmanned live chat service. Phone service is not offered. A lack of English-speaking clerks has long been a problem for many SBR readers. SBR has received an increase in negative feedback from Asian players as of late.

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

PointBet (SBR rating D+) management informs SBR that the sportsbook has obtained a UK bookmaking license and an office in London. SBR will pursue UK banking information before reevaluating Pointbet, which many players feel is an underrated sportsbook. Pointbet was downgraded from C- to D+ last year when SBR learned that the sportsbook was operating from Batam Island, Indonesia.

SBR has

confirmed that six Pointbet (SBR rating D+) users have received four figure Moneybookers transfers over the weekend. Management tells SBR that both merchant accounts (Moneybookers and bank transfer) are now sufficiently funded.

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

Pointbet (SBR rating D+) payout delays expand to both of the book’s available payout options. After waiting a week for Moneybookers withdrawals, due to an underfunded merchant account, some players have requested their funds by bank wire. These bank wire transfers have been pending for one week and have not yet been paid.

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

PointBet (SBR rating D+) slow-paying player waiting for Moneybookers withdrawal. On the fourth day the player was informed that his withdrawal was not processed due to a lack of funds in PointBet’s Moneybookers merchant account. Players should expect their sportsbook to immediately offer the payout through other means when the preferred method is not available.

Pointbet (SBR rating D+)

management addresses 8/22/05 report stating that the website problems have been resolved and that they are again able to accept new player sign-ups. Management’s full statement can be viewed here. The Asian bookmaker also addressed concerns about its location with news that the company may secure a 2nd home in the near future. Pointbet’s Indonesia address has been a deterrent for would-be players.

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

Pointbet (SBR rating D+) frozen-account complaint (reported 8/14/2005) resolved. Pointbet attributes the problem to difficulties with AOL email and has provided a record of emails sent to the player. Bettors continue to complain about the changes the book is employing, saying that communicating with customer service has become very difficult. Pointbet’s live chat is not functioning and Pointbet’s homepage is now a login page that only offers an email address. American sports bettors no longer appear to be a priority for Pointbet. Players with questions are being told to call back at 11 pm for customer service. A clerk told SBR that Pointbet is updating its system and that players looking to sign up should return in one month. It is unclear if Asian players are also experiencing a lower level of service.

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

SBR receives multiple complaints from Pointbet (SBR rating D+) customers. The majority of these complaints are regarding a lack of email responses and website down-time. One player reports being locked out of his account, which holds a four figure balance, for what has now been three weeks.

"My account has been frozen for more than two weeks.  I have sent numerous e-mails to care@pointbet.com.  My e-mails have been completely ignored.  The message I receive is as follows: "Your account is being frozen. Please contact care@Pointbet.com" Please turn my account back on and explain why this has happened."

Rating Change: PointBet

PointBet Pointbet downgraded from C- to D+

SBR Bill Dozer Reports:

Pointbet Downgraded from C- to D+ due to concerns over the sportsbook’s location.  Pointbet tells players that they are operating from the British Virgin Islands. However, SBR has confirmed that the sportsbook is operating illegally from Batam Island, which is part of Indonesia. These concerns are highlighted by the recent disappearance of Asian sportsbook Game2Bet (SBR not rated) and sister book AsianOdds (SBR not rated). There are unconfirmed reports that the operation was taken offline by government authorities. It should be noted that the majority of the feedback from Pointbet customers has been positive. SBR is hopeful that Pointbet will eventually choose a new location that is tolerant of gaming activity.

Rating Change: PointBet

PointBet Pointbet upgraded from D+ to C-

SBR mailbag:

Readers submit positive feedback on AllSportsCasino (SBR rating C) and PointBet (SBR rating D+). Both customer service departments received high praise.
Players voice displeasure with the customer service from AllPro (SBR rating D+), SportsInteraction (SBR rating D) and BetonUSA (SBR rating D-). SBR received individual complaints from poker players with both BetonUSA and SIA who claim that the book is voiding winnings obtained at the poker tables. SBR to inquire on behalf of these players.

Rating Change: PointBet

PointBet Pointbet upgraded from D to D+

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

In recent months Pointbet (SBR rating D+) has added multiple banking services in various countries. This is in addition to their primary bank in Indonesia. Indonesian players are not able to play with Pointbet. SBR upgrades Pointbet from D to D+. Pointbet, and their banking situation, will remain under review.