9/3/2008 11:36 PM
Former Portlandbet (SBR rating F) victims report payouts from bailout book Sportsbet.com.au
Portlandbet received an F rating after closing in July and then refusing to pay players their winners in full. Players complained to the ACT Gambling and Racing Commision which ruled that the Austrlian book must pay players in full. In August
Portlandbet.com accounts were taken over by Sportsbet.com.au. Initial feedback from three
Portlandbet players, who received multiple bonuses as an incentive to keep the account active, has been positive.
8/5/2008 07:47 PM
BetChance (SBR rating F) sends a "client contract" to owed players saying they will provide payment within 20 months and asks the player to agree he/she will not sue the gaming company. Players should ask the sportsbook if it intends to steal account balances if this agreement is not signed under duress. The agreement gives the sportsbook reassurance that the player does not intend to pursue the sportsbook and meaninglessly suggests that by signing it, the player has waived the right to pursue funds. BetChance previously offered 30% (now 25%) or payment in full within 15 months. in 2007 players agreed to payment plans which were not honored. SBR will contact Malta Gaming authorities to ask if the latest BetChance payment promise is the result of influence of the regulating body. Malta and its Lotteries and Gaming Authority have not proven to offer added player security to date. Defunct sportsbook
Portlandbet (SBR rating F) is also
confiscating a piece of player balances. |
see BetChance agreement
7/29/2008 11:28 PM
Portlandbet (SBR rating F) stealing funds; website now off-line
The sportsbook was taken off-line two days ago after cashing some players out only part of their balance. Portlandbet is unjustifiably categorizing the amount of the rollover requirement applied to the signup bonus as the player's debt to the house. This means that after the book deducts the bonus, players are receiving less than their deposits and winnings. Many players have deposited only days before the sportsbook's wagering platform was deactivated. Portlandbet is no longer responding to email.
Player 1: i have had a withdrawal processed for half my balance of 5212.76 Have not received it yet), the other half was taken as turnover of bonus not met, i think i may have met turnover levels and have emailed them so (you can't access all your bet history via website, unfortunately)
Player 2: Hello, i deposited 150 Euro on 24th June after i signed up. They gave me 150 Euro Bonus. Account Balance was 706.95 Euro. I tried to cashout 706.95 Euro on 9.July They gave me only 353,47 € today.
7/26/2008 09:41 PM
Portlandbet - SBR initiates rating at F
7/18/2008 11:36 PM
Portlandbet (not rated) debits players for winning wagers citing bonus requirementsPortlandbet 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.
7/9/2008 11:54 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.
7/8/2008 09:35 AM
Portlandbet finally acknowledges customer concerns through website messagePortlandbet 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
7/5/2008 11:45 PM
Portlandbet (not rated) wagering down as of July 1st
Multiple players
have complained that the sportsbook has removed its phone number from its website, is not returning emails, and is no longer taking wagers. A forum poster at
moneysavingexpert.com reports receiving the following message from the Australian Gambling Commission:
"As of the 1st July 2008, Portland bet is no longer trading. Their financial position is currently being assessed. The Commission is working with Portlandbet on obtaining a list of outstanding debts owed to punters. As required by all sports bookmakers when first licensed, a security guarantee has been lodged with the Commission which is designed to cover unpaid punters funds up to the limit of the guarantee. Portland bet or the Commission are currently not in a position to give any definitive advice on when any outstanding debts may be settled. When the Commission receives the full list of all account holders and any outstanding amounts these will be considered in due course in the context of the security guarantee and any other funds that may be available.
I have taken note of your contact details and will notify you of any further developments.
Yours sincerely
Bruce Waugh
Compliance and Investigations
Gambling and Racing Commission"
Many of the players are rightfully upset that the sportsbook took their deposit days before taking the wagering platform off-line. The Australian-based sportsbook was last off-line on 12/23/07, warning players of payout delays. The bookmaker reopened in February.
2/1/2008 03:42 PM
Portlandbet (not rated) website message states the book will reopen; pay debts
"The transfer of ownership is being finalised and we will be in a position to process any outstanding transactions in the coming days." |
Full messageSBR does not currently have any pending payout complaints.
1/4/2008 01:33 PM
Portlandbet (not rated) tells SBR "subject to government ID requirements we have caught up with all requested payments at this stage." Players having difficulty communicating with the book should contact SBR.
12/26/2007 11:28 AM
Portlandbet (not rated) website back online. Players who need to make payout arrangements or are concerned about processing time for pending withdrawals should call +61 2-6213-3666.
12/24/2007 11:02 AM
Players concerned closed sportsbook, Portlandbet (not rated) website off-line
The Australian-based sportsbook was last online on 12/22, warning players of payout delays: "
Portlandbet clients are advised that, due to the large volume of transactions to be processed, payments to clients may take longer than normal." SBR is attempting to contact
Portlandbet to inquire about a likely payout schedule and expected response time for player email.
customerservice@Portlandbet.com is the book's email address.
12/17/2007 12:54 PM
New Australian sportsbook Portlandbet (not rated) closes
The book emailed its clients today stating that all bets will be honored and payouts will be sent once identification documents are received.
Portlandbet offers players with wagers on events taking place in 2008 the possibility of canceling the bet by emailing
customerservice@Portlandbet.com.