Sportsbook Review: SportingBet

1/30/2009 11:09 PM

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12/24/2008 01:21 PM
Sportingbet downgraded from C- to D+

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9/30/2008 11:17 PM

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9/7/2008 11:43 PM

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2/13/2008 12:31 PM

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9/15/2007 06:06 PM

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5/31/2007 06:05 AM

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3/21/2007 08:05 AM

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3/20/2007 09:49 PM

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1/31/2007 07:01 PM
BetOnUSA (SBR rating D-) and sister books acquired by Jazette Enterprises Limited (D+ rated Sportsbook.com). Sportsbook management tells SBR the BetOnUSA Group (Empire Entertainment Ltd) was purchased last month. All customer service and accounting is now directed to the Sportsbook building in Costa Rica. The purchase brings Sportsbetting.com (SBR rating D-) back to the company and gives Jazette ownership of the World Gaming software code.
JEL states that it will look into no-pay claims against BetOnUSA, including the latest from a player waiting four months for $1,000.16. JEL sportsbooks also have their own no-pay complaints pending. During the migration of SportingbetUSA (SBR rating D+) last October to Jel-owned SuperBook (SBR rating D+) some accounts, balances and pending wagers were lost.

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11/11/2006 01:28 AM
Sportingbet (SBR rating D+) and SportingbetUSA (SBR rating D+) users complain of deleted pending future wagers. Prior to Sportingbet transferring account balances to Superbook.com, some bettors reported disappearing pending bets. While management has agreed to reinstate wagers for many of these account holders at sister sportsbooks, reports of canceled bets continue. Players who have had a pending wager canceled at a former Sportingbet property are invited to contact SBR.

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11/9/2006 01:28 PM
Sportingbet (SBR rating D+) closes site and redirects players to sister website, Superbook (SBR rating D+). Non-US players are unable to log in at Superbook but should find their account by logging in at Sports.com (SBR rating D+).

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10/25/2006 06:06 PM
Former World Gaming licensees downgraded to D-
One-time B- rated sportsbook, Gambling.net has been lowered to D- along with Sportsbetting.com. Both sportsbooks were hosted and serviced by the Sportingbet offices in Costa Rica while holding a licensing agreement and domain name leasing contract with World Gaming Plc. BetOnUSA (SBR rating D-) parent company, Empire Entertainment Ltd. has purchased the World Gambling service contracts. These sites are expected to be managed by BetOnUSA and its staff in the near future. Players are advised to redeem balances at this time.

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10/13/2006 06:39 PM
Sportingbet Plc partially reverses decision to cancel winning bets
After Sportingbet Plc severed itself from its US-serving brands, complaints began to flood the SBR mailbox. Non-US players in the newly sold sportsbooks were told that all pending bets would be canceled. This was due to the new company, Jazette Enterprises Limited’s noncompete agreement with Sportingbet Plc. Jazette (JEL) agreed not to service non-US players and to steer its international players back to the Plc’s remaining non-US serving sportsbooks. Fortunately, Non-US players were contacted this evening and told their accounts would be maintained and transferred to a different sportsbook. However, JEL decided to acknowledge specific US State laws and discontinue servicing players where they apply. Sportsbook.com and its sister sites have told players living in the offending states that they will not be paid their impending winnings. SBR will discuss the remaining complaints with individual property managers/owners. Players with canceled winning wagers or canceled wagers that have gained market value should contact SBR.

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10/12/2006 04:47 PM
Sportingbet PLC sells Sportsbook.com (SBR rating D+) and US-facing business to "existing management team"

Statement: Sportingbet announces that it has sold, on 12 October 2006, its US-facing sports betting and casino business (the “US Operations”) to Jazette Enterprises Limited (“JEL”) (the “Disposal”). Sportingbet received cash consideration of US$1 for the shares and related assets of the US Operations, and has discharged excess liabilities amounting to approximately US$13.2 million. Had the business been closed, the Board estimated that the cost of severance and closure would have amounted to approximately US$14.0 million – a total saving of circa US$27.2 million. Full Statement

The press release suggests that Wallstreet, Aces, and SportingbetUSA (SBR rating D+) will move US players under a different brand, likely Sportsbook.com. Sportingbet Plc has retained ownership of these highly marketable website domains. Paradise Poker will relinquish its share of the US poker market. The poker giant will also be retained by Sportingbet Plc and cease taking deposits from US players at 11:00 a.m tomorrow.

SBR is currently investigating claims that the group has canceled winning future wagers of players who reside in US states that have specific laws against gambling.

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10/11/2006 09:06 PM
Betcorp Ltd. considers pulling out of US market
BetWWTS (SBR rating B+) is the latest sportsbook under a public company attempting to solidify plans to privatize. Betcorp Ltd released a statement this evening acknowledging that if it was unable to move its US-focused brands under private ownership by Friday, services to the US market would close. Sources within the company tell SBR "It’s likely you will see the last two public giants privatize within the next 48 hours but of course, all [Betcorp sportsbook] players will receive their funds immediately if this is not achieved." Sportingbet Plc, the parent company of Sportsbook.com, also released a statement today saying that it would look to sell its US-focused brands. Although the safety of WWTS player funds are not in question, SBR has downgraded the BetCorp Group to B+. The books will be reevaluated once it is known if account holders will maintain the ability to wager.

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10/9/2006 06:20 PM
Player locked out of Iwager (SBR rating D+) account and access to funds An Iwager user has been unable to redeem $800 since July 28th. Sportingbet customer service tells SBR that the website url owner (webmaster) has closed the account and must reactivate it before payment can be requested. No explanation has been sent to the player.

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9/7/2006 07:46 AM
Sportingbet Plc Chairman detained; company freezes shares

Statement regarding Chairman

Whilst visiting the US on non-Sportingbet business, Mr Peter Dicks, aged 64, Non-Executive Chairman of Sportingbet Plc, was detained by US Authorities at approximately 2.00am BST on Thursday, 6 September 2006.

A hearing for Mr Dicks is scheduled for 2.00pm BST.

Pending clarification of the situation the Board has sought immediate temporary suspension of Sportingbet’s shares.

Further information will be issued in due course.

For further information please contact:

Smithfield (media) Tel: 020 7903 0669
George Hudson Tel: 07803 603 130
Link to Sportingbet Plc statement

Players who are adverse to risk may wish to withdraw their funds from all Sportingbet and World Gaming operated sportsbooks. SBR does not expect Sportingbet to follow the path of BetOnSports which did not have player funds in reserve. Trading is expected to resume shortly. View sportsbook list here.

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8/2/2006 07:59 AM
USDbet is latest Sportingbet/World Gaming sportsbook to enter the SBR Rating Guide. SBR initiates USDbet’s rating at D+.

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7/27/2006 09:24 PM
SBR meets with Sportingbet Plc management; year old dipsutes resolved. The sportsbook agreed to reevaluate previous decisions which resulted in multiple balance credits. Bonus and winnings confiscations have been reversed, as well as voided winning wagers dating back to last year’s British Open bet on Tiger Woods. The sportsbook is addressing the policies, or lack thereof, responsible for these actions. It is expected to stand by new universal policies that treat all players equally regardless of the type of action given to the book. New procedures include prorating bonuses for players asked to leave any of the many websites and settling winning bets made on obvious or gross errors at the correct market price (average betting odds) instead of canceling. The Sportingbet Plc family will be reevaluated once all pending issues are concluded and these new policies are solidified. Players with a complaint against the Sportingbet Group, which include Sportsbook.com (SBR rating D+), should contact SBR.

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7/5/2006 01:15 PM
Sportingbet (SBR rating D+) Company continues Bait n’ Switch bonus scam.
Sportingbet Plc steals winnings from player, citing a mystery "bonus abuse" rule. SBR has received numerous complaints from players who were attracted to incentives from the many Sportingbet Plc brands, which include Sportsbook.com (SBR rating D+) and SportingbetUSA (SBR rating D+). If the player has accepted bonus offers from the different books and goes on to win, he is susceptible to the confiscation of all funds above the total amount deposited. SBR has contacted Sportingbet Plc on multiple occasions to verify that utilizing more than one site is not a violation of any rules.
SBR poster ’dvorak51’ shares his experience with the Sportingbet Group’s Aces.com (SBR rating D+).

7/5/2006 8:32:38 PM Update: Sportingbet management refunds player’s winnings and adds free-play bonus for inconvenience.

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6/1/2006 01:11 PM
SBR Bill Dozer to meet with Sportingbet Directors in July
SBR approaches the conference with the expectation of resolving all pending complaints against the family of betting sites. Management has indicated that the company is open to policy changes and will amend rules in an effort to eliminate the potential for future complaints. The book attributes the recent issues to its growth, and states that it aims be more ’player-friendly’ and allow stated rules to decide player disputes.

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5/25/2006 06:37 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: WagerTonight (SBR rating D+) botches player’s withdrawal. SBR has received an influx of complaints from players with Sportingbet Plc & World Gaming licensees who have received bank checks days or weeks after Neteller withdrawals were requested. Players are frustrated by banking fees and the inability to deposit their funds at a different sportsbook immediately via Neteller.

Player: I recently asked for a Neteller withdrawal from WagerTonight, which was denied. Upon reasking, I was sent an e-mail confirming that my payout for 2000USD has been sent via FedEx as a check. I got on Live Help with WagerTonight, who told me that due to the fact that because my deposit wasn’t via Neteller, which I assured him it was, my payout couldn’t be via Neteller. He denied any record of a Neteller deposit, then found one and assured me the check would get to me by 3 working days. After 6 working days and no check, I got back on Live Help and heard the same line again and was told to contact FedEx myself to find where the check was. It wasn’t delivered as WagerTonight had issued the wrong address to them. It finally arrived and will now take approximately 6 weeks to clear as well as incurring a $50AUSD fee. I am most disapointed in WagerTonight’s service and won’t be using them again.

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5/8/2006 11:53 AM
Sportingbet Plc Takes Over Hollywood Sportsbook
The Hollywood website and player accounts will be activated on Sportingbet’s World Gaming system today. Players will still be able to reach the book’s customer service manager Victor and his staff, which has also migrated to the World Gaming office, by calling 1-800-220-0002. Marty, one of the industry’s top General Managers who is credited for much of the book’s success, will no longer be involved with Hollywood. HollywoodSportsbook.com will feature World Gaming’s lines and will no longer offer players a -107 lineset. Hollywood has been downgraded to B as SBR monitors the book’s transition, anticipating the potential for changes in operational procedures. Sportingbet company press release can be found here.
5/9/2006 (3:16:55 PM) UPDATE: System migration is rescheduled to be completed tomorrow morning. Banking will resume at this time.

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4/21/2006 02:57 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Sportingbet Plc returns $24,000 confiscated from client in October 2005. Over the course of a year the player had used multiple Sportingbet Plc sites including PlayersOnly(SBR rating D+), LinesMaker(SBR rating D+), SportFanatik(SBR rating D+), SportingbetUSA(SBR rating D+), Aces(SBR rating D+) and Sportsbook.com(SBR rating D+). The amount confiscated was the sum of what the player had earned in bonuses and won overall from the family of sportsbooks. SBT management originally stated that the player was violating the spirit of the bonus although the company’s client support has maintained that utilizing multiple sportsbooks and incentive offers was acceptable. Other Sportingbet players hope to experience the same success in resolving their issue and recovering their funds. SBR is currently speaking with Sportingbet’s corporate office about these matters.

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4/17/2006 11:22 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Sports.com (SBR rating D+) confiscates $1600 of bettor’s winnings because the player utilized bonus offers from multiple sites within the same family of sportsbooks. Sportingbet Plc and its sister company, World Gaming Plc, license and host many gambling websites which target the same players. These sites do not feature any rules disallowing clients from using more than one World Gaming product. SBR has confirmed that the sales department encourages players to join regardless if accounts with the company’s sportsbooks already exist. The group has a history of confiscating winnings from clients who have taken advantage of multiple offers.

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3/31/2006 09:34 AM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: BetUK Acquires BetEuro (SBR rating A-). All BetEuro accounts have been transferred to BetUK. BetUK is part of Online Management Services which is also the parent company for Gambling.net(SBR rating B-) and BetUSA(SBR rating B). BetUK targets the European market but accepts US players. The company’s owner, Bill Nevin, tells SBR they will specialize in soccer and in-game wagering. The sportsbook uses Finsoft software under the Sportingbet license.

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2/26/2006 03:57 PM
Sportsbook.net(SBR rating D), owned by Sportingbet Plc, now used as a handicapping site to promote the Sportsbook.com brand.

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1/26/2006 12:42 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Sportingbet Plc management agrees to refund mystery casino losses not placed by account holders; blames issue on a "glitch". Four of five account balances have been rectified with the final account under review. Total adjustments exceed $30,000.

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1/20/2006 09:51 AM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Another player from a Sportingbet Plc sportsbook, MySportsbook(SBR rating D+) reports account balance wiped out. This is the 4th complaint from a large account holder who was told that his balance, which was $11,225, was lost on a virtual horse racing casino game. SBR to inquire with management.

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1/12/2006 07:29 AM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Two players claim balances were erased from their sportsbook accounts. A player from Sports.com(SBR rating D+) and another from SportingbetUSA(SBR rating D+), both of the Sportingbet Plc Family, report losing a total of $5084 on wagers they did not place. Customer service told both players that the funds were gambled away on virtual horse racing, a casino game neither bettor has played previously. The first player to experience this problem tells of the book’s apparent unwillingness to address the issue.

"They originally told me it would take 24 hours, then 48 hours, then a week, it has now been 15 days and they still have not given me the IP address of the origin of the disputed wager. Who benefited from the wager? Sportingbetusa. Who refuses to provide needed information in the investigation of this matter? Sportingbetusa. Why won’t they cooperate? My ISP tells me they should have been able to provide that information within 24 hours. They did give me the date, time, and time zone, but that is worthless without the IP address. The time zone they gave as the origin of the disputed wager was the Pacific time zone. I am in Ohio (Eastern). They know it was not my wager. I really think they did it themselves."

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12/30/2005 12:32 AM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: MySportsbook(SBR rating D+) shorts bettor $700, cites "bonus abuse" as reason. The player has been with the book for three months earning multiple reload bonuses, but has not violated any listed rules. His account activity was subjectively labeled for abusing bonuses. Below is the email to the player from management.

Mr xxxx;
Unfortunately, after the fraud department reviewed your case, it was determine that the account in question was made with the purpose of bonus abusing, therefore, it will remain inactive. According to our records the amount deposited is equal to the amount withdrawn, therefore, no monies are owed in order to offset the funds used via Neteller. Best Regards.

In more severe cases, players who have made a profit wagering saw their winnings confiscated as well. Sportingbet management has taken a hard stance against players who treat their incentives as something more than a novelty. It is evident that management may decide not to pay players after reviewing the bettor’s history over the life of the account.

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12/29/2005 10:49 PM
Sportsbooks managed by World Gaming & Sportingbet Plc’s Costa Rica Division downgraded to D+, MySportsbook downgraded from C to D+

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12/18/2005 11:55 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: World Gaming Plc acquires SportsBetting (SBR rating B-) and Real Entertainment Ltd Group. Sportsbetting had utilized World Gaming software and hosting but was owned and managed by Real Entertainment. Sportsbetting will be included in the reevaluation of the Sportingbet and World Gaming-owned sportsbooks.

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12/5/2005 03:16 PM
BetUSA(SBR rating B-) earns 2nd upgrade in two months. The sportsbook’s management continues to make decisions independant of their service provider, Sportingbet Plc, and assures SBR that they will maintain their player-friendly policies. B- is currently the highest rating that a Sportingbet/World Gaming sportsbook holds.

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12/3/2005 11:30 AM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Problems continue for bettors with books under the Sportingbet umbrella. Although management has resolved some individual complaints, the company continues to unjustly debit client accounts. Current complaints include voided winning wagers, the closure of accounts and confiscation of profits from those accounts, and the seizing of earned bonuses. The majority of gamblers likely will not experience these issues although bettors who successfully utilize the company’s promotions may be severely penalized without warning.

Player reports AllProSportsbook(SBR rating D+) confiscating funds and ignoring emails.
Hi, this is my first time sending you (sportsbookreview.com) E-mail. I have an account in Allprosportsbook.com. I have been using this account since August 2005. But recently, this company gave me some hard time. They paid slow, E-mail no reply and deducted all of my bonus in my account eventhought I have covered the rollerover requirement. But that wasn’t a big deal. I don’t really care about the bonus, I also told them I do not want any further bonus in my account. After then, I only deposited twice and received $77.50 automatically right after. Then I kept wagering a lot and requested a payout. at that payout, They also deducted the $77.50 bonus. that’s fine! after then I still wagered for a while without any deposit. then I requested another payout. But they still deducted the same amount of $77.50. That’s my money, not the bonus. Then I talked the live chat person, and he said they will check for me. I also send that company an E-mail about thit case. so far they still haven’t replied me. I have no idea if they return me $77.50 or not. They might have system error or they don’t even care of their clients money. If I make another withdrawl next time. I might still have money deducted.

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11/20/2005 11:21 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: BetUSA (SBR rating C+) becomes first book to reverse managing/hosting company, Sportingbet’s decision to unjustly confiscate player funds. SBR has received many complaints from Sportingbet Plc serviced sites since the 11/4/2005 report. Each Sportingbet site who has an independent general manager has the opportunity to address the situation before receiving Blacklist status.

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11/4/2005 01:47 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Sportingbet (SBR rating C) stealing player balances? SBR has received reports from two players who have had funds confiscated. The book’s emailed explanation to these players states that this is occurring because these bettors have been depositing for the sole intention of receiving the bonus and therefore are in violation of the bonus rules. The book calculated how much the player will now receive by returning funds up to the amount deposited and thereby voiding winnings and legitimately earned bonus funds. The Sportingbet Group has historically allowed multiple accounts within their many affiliated sites and has promoted their bonus plans independently. SBR had previously verified that players were encouraged to take part in independent incentive plans and use multiple accounts within the family of SBT Plc sportsbooks. Thus far SBR has email history suggesting that Sportsbook.com and sister sites have unjustly confiscated over $22,000 in account balances. This gaming giant has been the source of serious complaints in recent months and will be reassessed pending management’s actions on these cases.

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11/3/2005 11:11 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Sportsbook.com (SBR rating C) and the Sportingbet Group’s accounting errors leave players without access to funds for weeks. The operation services over 50 sportsbooks and many players unknowingly utilized more than one of the heavily marketed websites. Sportingbet has recently told some of these players that they would have to consolidate their accounts and that they would receive their balances via book-to-book transfers to one of the family’s websites. Bettors have reported waiting two weeks for five-figure sums, as the book attempts to get its records in order. Although this delay is frustrating, SBR has told players that this is likely a botched procedure that will be corrected in time. SBR to inquire with management.

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10/21/2005 11:36 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: BetUSA upgraded to C+ after distinguishing itself from the Sportingbet Plc family, to which it belongs. BetUSA’s ownership has proven that it has the ability to act independently of its sister books like PlayersOnly and Sportsbook.com (SBR rating C). The book employs its own customer service staff for advanced player inquiries and management has made decisions on wager grading that have differed from its larger sister books. Recently BetUSA paid players who bet Tiger Woods to win the British Open, while players who wagered with the flagship SBT Plc books saw their winning wagers canceled. BetUSA clients still must deal with the same flawed accounting department that is sometimes responsible for payout delays.

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9/25/2005 06:33 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: SportsFanatik (SBR rating D+) sends withdrawal to player via regular mail, adding a two week processing delay to what should have been an instant Neteller transfer. Accounting is unwilling or unable to rectify the error. This SportsFanatik complaint is one of many from Sportingbet Plc players that now reach SBR almost daily. IWager (SBR rating C-), a sister book, is very close to obtaining the same D+ rating. IWager has little control over its poker service, which has frozen yet another player account without valid reason. The player has waited for his funds or an explanation for almost two months.

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9/16/2005 03:23 AM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Sportsbook.com (SBR rating C) voids another player’s winning wager after event had finished. This is the third complaint from players with the Sportingbet Group whose funds were debited due to what Sportsbook.com management calls a "bad line" on Tiger Woods to win the British Open. SBR has presented Sportsbook.com with information showing that these odds can not be considered an "obvious error". Players would have a legitimate complaint if the wager was simply canceled prior to the event but since Sportsbook waited weeks after the event had conlcuded, these players are victims of theft.

SBR would also appreciate hearing from bettors who wagered on participants other than Tiger Woods to win the British Open whose wagers were graded as a loss.

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9/2/2005 10:13 AM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: SportsWager (SBR rating D+) leaves the PlayersTime Group and joins the Sportingbet Family. SportsWager players are considering themselves lucky as PlayersTime websites have been down for 4 days. SBR has received multiple slow-pay complaints from worried players who have been denied payouts during this 4 day period. PlayersTime sportsbooks are listed below.

PlayersTime
BetTheBook
FantasyIsland
GoldStar
OffshoreIsland
QuantumSportsbook
RoyalPalm
SunCoastSportsbook
SuperiorSportsbook
ThePerfectSportsbook
Vegas24Sportsbook
WinMoney
WinnersTime

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8/25/2005 11:38 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: SportingbetUSA (SBR rating C) deducts $500 in winnings from customer account. The sportsbook claims the player bet a "bad line" (wrong odds that are the result of a line manager’s mistake) on Tiger Woods to win the British Open, which took place a month earlier. SportingbetUSA has not made an effort to show the player how the line on Tiger Woods was an "obvious error" and has not followed their own rule which is stated below. SBR will continue to speak on the player’s behalf and expects management to rectify or justify these actions.

"Every effort will be made to ensure that all information available on the Internet site is accurate. However, if an error is made in the prices or conditions published on-line, we reserve the right to correct any mistakes and to settle any bets already laid at the correct price."

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7/11/2005 03:39 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Sportingbet Plc family of sportsbooks refusing to pay players this week. Players file multiple complaints against such books as Sportsbook.com, SportingbetUSA.com and Aces.com, citing that the below notice was first posted today.

"Note: There will be no withdrawals processed the week of Monday July 11th to Friday, July 15th. Withdrawals will resume normal processing July 16th. We apologize for any inconvenience caused."

Sportingbet users complain that they were not given any notice that their funds would be inaccessible. Many players will actually be forced to wait until the 18th, due to some banking methods being available for processing only on weekdays. Sportingbet management claims that this freeze on player funds is due to a website upgrade, which suggests players could have been informed well in advance. A likelier reason for this hold on account balances is that Sportingbet recognizes a very slow week in sports and would like to prevent a wave of withdrawal requests that occur when there is little to wager on.

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7/11/2005 03:13 PM
SkyLineCasino (SBR rating C-) Closes
The book’s website displays the following message:

Please be advised that Skyline Casino has closed permanently as of Thursday, June 23rd 2005.
In regards to payments, unless a player is suspected of fraud, all players with legitimate deposits and winnings will be paid in full.
We invite you to join Bingo Billy and enjoy the great Slots, Video Poker and Bingo Games.
Click here to go to bingobilly.com
If you have any questions regarding your account, please contact us at support@skylinecasino.com

Players who need to reach customer service can call Sportingbet at 1-800-996-5833.

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5/28/2005 01:19 PM
An open letter from a player and a message to all that gamble: Be Careful!
I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO INFORM YOU OF MY ONLINE EXPERIENCE WITH SportingbetUSA. I JOINED THEIR GROUP THREE YEARS AGO AND WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT ONLINE GAMBLING.
IN 2.5 YEARS I LOST IN EXCESS OF 100K TO THEM. I BANKRUPTED MY COMPANY MY HOME AND WORSE YET MY SISTER. WHEN I HAD NO ACCESS TO MONEY I USED HER CREDIT CARDS TO THE TUNE OF 60K DOLLARS. THEY WIILLING TOOK MY DEPOSITS AND HAD NO RESRTICTIONS ON LIMITS OR SECURITY ISSUES (FAXBACK CV2 OR EXPIRATION DATES. ALL OTHER SITES HAD THESE CONTROLS IN PLACE. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF CASHING OUT TWICE IN THAT THREE YEARS. THE FIRST ONE FOR 3500 AND IT TOOK A MONTH TO RECEIVE FUNDS. THE SECOND TIME I GOT LUCKY IN THER
CASINO FOR 5000 DOLLARS . I REQUESTED THIS CASHOUT THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER. I IMMEDIATELY GOT A RESPONSE EMAIL FROM MY SPORTSBOOK WHO THEY ONLY DO MANAGERIAL DUTIES FOR. CLAIMING A ROUTINE AUDIT FOR A CASINO THEY ONLY MANAGE. I WAS ALSO TOLD FIREPAY HAD RETURNED CHECKS. I DID NOT HAVE A CHECKING ACCOUNT AT THAT TIME. I TOLD THEM TAKE ALL DEDUCTIONS THEY WANTED AND SEND ME THE DIFFERENCE. MY ACCOUNT WAS IMMEDIATELY CLOSED AND NONE OF MY EMAILS WERE RETURNED. GOING TO COURT NEXT WEEK WITH MY SISTER WHO COURTS DATE NEXT WEEK . PLEASE PUBLISH THIS ARTICLE SO OTHER PEOPLE WILL NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES I DID. GR

SBR would suggest all players be aware of the potential damage that gambling can cause.

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5/4/2005 11:05 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: SportsbookReview receives a new batch of complaints against the Sportingbet Group. SportingbetUSA (SBR rating C) continues to delay withdrawal requests by performing account audits. More than a few players have also complained that SportingbetUSA payouts have been delivered by check, despite the fact that they had requested their funds via Neteller. In some countries players are forced to pay large processing fees when cashing these checks. The book has declined player requests to reimburse these costs. These lapses in customer service have resulted in a downgrade of SBTusa from C+ to C.

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5/4/2005 10:43 PM
SportingbetUSA downgraded from C+ to C

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4/15/2005 10:55 PM
SBR mailbag: Customer Service Complaints
Intertops (SBR rating C+) – Customers complain that Intertops now taking three business days to process Neteller withdrawals. The change from two days was not noted on the website. Players also have reported that the book is not responding to email inquiries.

SportingbetUSA (SBR rating C+) – Player complains about LiveChat service.
“When I was on the live chat with one of their staff members, Frank, I was assured of a 15% immediate bonus within 24hrs. I waited 24hrs to no avail. So I did 3 live chats in 2hrs. The first guy (David) told me it would be credited in minutes. The 2nd guy at first told me it’s 24-48hrs but later corrected himself when I reminded him it is spelt out on his website (within 24hrs). The 3rd guy really dropped the bombshell, said that I need to show more patience and this being a Sunday usually experience heavy traffic and my bonus will take up to 36hrs! What crap, now I know why you guys give them a C+”

BetonUSA (SBR rating D-) – SBR continues to receive a steady flow of complaints.
“Hey Bill, I contacted BetOnUSA last night to see about the status of my Neteller withdrawal. They are completely giving me the run around. Last night I talked to a lady who said it would be processed within 48 hours and then it would take another 48 hours to receive it in my Neteller. That seemed logical as I went back and checked out the withdrawal slip and it said it would take 48 hours to process. Tonight I talked to a guy who basically said that they were sending it in a completely different way then I originally requested it (via Neteller). I told him that it was a mistake and it was supposed to get sent to my Neteller account as I requested. He said that he would change it making it another 48 hour processing wait and 5-7 days to reach my account. Thanks for the help! This will be the last time I deal with a book with this poor a rating.”

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3/14/2005 11:03 AM
Sportsbook.com (SBR rating C) comes clean on their infamous ’audits’ that cause unnecessary long payout delays and announces they will eliminate withdraw audits. Many insiders, including SBR, long suspected the highly unpopular ’audits’ are mainly used as a way of punishing winning players and discouraging withdraws. This procedure has continued to be a drag on the entire Sportingbet group rating, of which Sportsbook.com is the largest member. The group last sported a top 20 sportsbook in 2002 with their second largest member SportingbetUSA, which reached a peak rating of B+.

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1/22/2005 12:55 AM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Sportsbook.com (SBR rating C) and sister sites under Sportingbet management not honoring bonuses. In the past few weeks SBR has received an influx of complaints from players who feel cheated claiming they were victims of dishonest marketing. Players filed complaints ranging from not receiving promised bonuses after numerous email requests as well as bonuses being unjustly confiscated upon cashout. SBT management states that these players did not meet their wagering requirements. However, they were assured by clerks, verbally and by email, that these requirements were met and the bonus would not be lost. SBT sportsbook owners have admitted that there is a software glitch responsible for showing wrong information regarding the progress of the player’s bonus roll-over.

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12/14/2004 12:27 PM
SportingbetUSA downgraded from B- to C+

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12/11/2004 06:47 PM
Robbie McPhail, who stiffed players as the owner of the defunct Apex Sportsbook, is using the Apex website to promote his sportsbook affiliates. ApexSportsbook.com features ads for Pinnacle Sports, Hollywood107, Sportingbet, SBGglobal, Cybersportsbook and Mybookie. SBR is asking these sportsbooks to withhold any commission payment to Robbie or to work out an arrangement where the stiffed players can begin to receive payment. SBR will be able to provide a list of players owed. Robbie’s new sportsbook, PlatinumSportsbets (SBR rating F) is also promoted on this site as well as his other sites which include Askthebookie.com.

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9/22/2004 04:23 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: PlaceMyBet (SBR rating C-), of the Sportingbet PLC family, slow-paying player for over 1 month. Problems with sportsbooks under the SBT brand are becoming increasingly difficult to resolve.

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8/5/2004 10:40 AM
SBR Special Report: Sportingbet PLC - SBR has received an unusual amount of complaints from players on the Sportingbet PLC group. This was once a group that took pride in their Customer Service Dept, but they have obviously lowered their standards of operation as of late. SBR believes that most of these complaints are generated by management inability to address the issues in a prompt and professional manner.... (read more)

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7/23/2004 10:38 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Linesmaker (SBR rating C-) confiscates $18,000 player balance. Linesmaker is one of many books operated and managed by the Sportingbet Group; yet SBT attributes this decision to the individual owner/investor of Linesmaker. SBR to speak with Sportingbet top management about this dispute. Ratings for sportsbooks under the Sportingbet PLC name under review pending outcome.

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7/20/2004 04:44 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: SBR receives influx of Sportingbet PLC sportsbook complaints. Sportfanatik (SBR rating D+) client reports unjust bonus confiscation. Allstar.com (SBR rating C-) player files complaint over missing check. A SportingbetUSA (SBR rating B-) client claims withdrawn funds left his player account but never reached his Neteller account. A 2nd SportingbetUSA player contacts SBR about unjust bonus confiscation. Mysportsbook.com (SBR rating C-) loses multiple bank wires during processing.

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7/20/2004 02:37 PM
Sportingbet USA lowered from B to B-

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7/14/2004 08:55 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Dimeplayer (SBR rating C-) no longer part of Sportingbet PLC as of 6/24/04. SBR recognizes Dimeplayer as a new sportsbook with a downgrade to C-. There have been no complaints against Dimeplayer or its transition from World Gaming to IQ-L software. SBR will continue to review DP through football season. Feedback can be sent to assistance@sportbookreview.com.

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5/6/2004 12:42 PM
Grande upgraded from B+ to A-, SportingbetUSA upgraded from C+ to B and Sportsbook.com upgraded from D+ to C+

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4/8/2004 03:53 PM
Player files slow pay complaint against SportingbetUSA (SBR Rating C+). SportingbetUSA C.S. Supervisor Charles says this customer's account and his wife's account are both being audited. Initial deposits have been returned to customer's credit card. SBR to follow up in this process.

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4/3/2004 09:24 AM
SportingbetUSA(SBR rating C+) Informs SBR and other analysts that recent quarterly profit was no fluke and that restructuring and risk controls implemented last year have paved the way for consecutive quarters of profitability. Common stock shares of Sportingbet have soared a 100% since January 1st.

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12/1/2003 04:24 PM
SportingbetUSA (SBR rating C-) Once an A rated book -slow pays like this one are now all to common

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10/23/2003 05:53 AM
Complaints from; Internet1x2(F-), Playerstime(C-), SportingbetUSA(C-), Sportingbet(C-), BetonUSA(D+), WSEX(A-), Sportsbook.com(D+)

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8/21/2003 12:00 AM
Sportingbet.com, SportingbetUSA - Upgraded from D+ to C-

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6/26/2003 09:59 AM
This week's complaints - Linesmaker, Sportingbet, Casablaca, BetEhorse, Simplenetbet.com , SSP Positive feedback : Legendz, PlayersOnly

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4/29/2003 05:40 PM
Sportingbet downgraded to the Black List - Industry giant and all associated operations downgraded to the Black List - Sportsbook Review's opinion on Sportingbet

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4/29/2003 12:00 AM
Sportingbet and all connected properties downgraded to the Black List

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3/27/2003 05:03 PM
Sportingbet shares tumble again - Holding Co. for SportingbetUSA, Sportsbook.com has fallen 70% in past 12 months - nagging customer service complaints possibly indicative of poor mgmt.

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10/24/2002 10:59 AM
SportingbetUSA - Downgraded - removed from the Recommended List - excessive complaints

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9/5/2002 09:47 AM
SportingbetUSA - Drops out of Sportsbook Review top 10 - CS issues have resulted in a 4 month slide from 5th to 13th - Rio jumps three places

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7/28/2001 12:14 PM
Sportsbook.com - Upgraded - Removed From the Black List - Agreed to be acquired by SportingbetUSA

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7/13/2001 11:24 AM
SportingbetUSA - Downgraded - Removed from the Recommended List

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12/24/2008 01:21 PM
sportingbet downgraded from C- to D+

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12/29/2005 10:49 PM
Sportsbooks managed by World Gaming & sportingbet Plc’s Costa Rica Division downgraded to D+, MySportsbook downgraded from C to D+

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5/4/2005 10:43 PM
sportingbetUSA downgraded from C+ to C

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12/14/2004 12:27 PM
sportingbetUSA downgraded from B- to C+

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7/20/2004 02:37 PM
sportingbet USA lowered from B to B-

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5/6/2004 12:42 PM
Grande upgraded from B+ to A-, sportingbetUSA upgraded from C+ to B and Sportsbook.com upgraded from D+ to C+

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8/21/2003 12:00 AM
sportingbet.com, sportingbetUSA - Upgraded from D+ to C-

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4/29/2003 12:00 AM
sportingbet and all connected properties downgraded to the Black List

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10/24/2002 10:59 AM
sportingbetUSA - Downgraded - removed from the Recommended List - excessive complaints

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9/5/2002 09:47 AM
sportingbetUSA - Drops out of Sportsbook Review top 10 - CS issues have resulted in a 4 month slide from 5th to 13th - Rio jumps three places

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7/28/2001 12:14 PM
Sportsbook.com - Upgraded - Removed From the Black List - Agreed to be acquired by sportingbetUSA

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7/13/2001 11:24 AM
sportingbetUSA - Downgraded - Removed from the Recommended List

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