5/3/2008 03:13 PM
BetSBI (SBR rating D+) fails to pay scammed players after repeated promises
A
BetSBI (Sports Betting International) representative contacted multiple players setting them up with a line of wagering credit. Players won approximately $2,000 and filed a complaint with SBR when their contact was no longer answering his phone. The sportsbook's manager told SBR that the
agent gave other players credit as well and those players lost over $15,000. Since those players refused to pay the
agent he was unwilling to pay the unrelated winning account holders. The sportsbook's manager gave multiple dates for when it would step in and pay the players if the issue could not be resolved directly with the
agent. After assuring both the players and SBR that the accounts would eventually be paid, SBI has gone back on its word. Players should be aware that BetSBI, which claims it no longer has post-up players, works with rogue
agents and may be facilitating a scam.
3/10/2008 05:36 PM
Sports.com (SBR rating D-) & Linesmaker (SBR rating C-) close player's accounts; confiscate $1,765
The
Sportsbook.com -hosted
sportsbooks are known to give multiple promotions and bonuses over long periods of time only to confiscate funds if the user is deemed to be unprofitable claiming he/she "
took advantage" of an offer or did something "
not in the spirit" of the promotion. This player was told he took part in "
free bet abuse" which is the label given when a player uses two $10 free bets on opposing teams or has simply collected multiple free bet credits at different
Sportsbook.com-hosted brands over an extended period of time. Sales
agents tell players during the sign up process that each book is a separate entity, is not affiliated with other brands, and that bonuses and accounts with different Sportsbook.com-hosted brands are allowed. The
Sportsbook.com group's
risk management department audits winning accounts looking for reasons to confiscate the amount of money the player has won through its time with the book. The scam affected many players in 2007 when the operation debited accounts thousands in winnings on
correlated parlays. Sportsbook.com kept player losses from those same wagers.
Linesmaker ownership is expected to reverse the decision of its turnkey provider as it has in the past. SBR has asked both sportsbook brands' decision makers to review the claim.
7/10/2007 12:14 PM
Seattle Post Intelligencer reports Betcha.com (SBR rating D-) shut down
Washington State Gambling Commission investigators seized computers from a new Seattle-based Internet-betting site Monday, claiming the business violated the state's 2006 online gambling ban -- a contention the site's founder strongly disputes. agents with a search warrant confiscated laptops and computer monitors before Betcha.com's seven employees arrived to work in the company's North Seattle office.
MoreThe Seattle, Washington and Canada-based exchange was attempting to facilitate the matching of bets between two users for a fee. This model was deemed illegal by the Nevada Gaming Commission which arrested
WagerFree (SBR rating F-) owner Garet Bradford. Bradford also claimed to be only facilitating bets between "club members." Despite the consumer fraud element to Mr. Bradford's scam operation, authorities ultimately charged WagerFree's owner with two felony counts relating to operating a gambling business without a license. Betcha.com maintains its server in Canada and is currently online.
1/20/2007 04:24 PM
Bet7Moons (SBR rating F) owner redirects website to
LasPalmas (SBR rating C), where he has relocated his credit package. Robbed
Bet7Moons post-up players are hopeful that LasPalmas will not service the stiff
agent or will force him to take part in a payment plan to refund victims.
12/1/2006 02:00 PM
Kahnawake Gaming Commission no longer permitting licensees to take phone wagers. The KGC’s amendments primarily effect
BetUS (SBR rating D) which opened its Canadian office to serve as an inbound call center that would take wagers. The sportsbook may close this office after letting over 100 staff members go.
SportsInteraction (SBR rating C-) says that the Commission will soon amend the Regulation Agreement again, to simply prohibit wagering by phone.
Sports Interaction plans to offer positions to former
BetUS clerks.
Kahnawake’s new Internet-only "Interactive Gaming Regulations"
(a) no licence holder or authorized client provider, including their respective members, shareholders, directors, officers, employees (contractual or otherwise) and
agents are permitted to conduct the following activities by way of voice communication with a player, through any device or means:
i. receiving or accepting a bet or wager;
ii. receiving or accepting instructions of any kind in relation to funds held in, or to be deposited to, the player’s account;
iii. providing odds, lines or any other information related to a sporting or other event
6/14/2006 11:06 PM
SBR office Tours: View the office photos for GPS Global SA sportsbooks,
SexyWagers, BetGES and CasinoVIP,
here. The company is located in Heredia, Costa Rica. Its focus has been servicing credit
agents with sites such as Elite Sportsbook (BetESI), under the name of Evolution Sports Data Processing, or CallECC. This new post-up operation, which is still developing its policies and procedures, has received an initial SBR rating of D.
6/14/2006 02:54 PM
Beware of MVP Sportsbook (SBR rating D) agents soliciting deposits An
MVP Sportsbook ’
agent’ is calling post-up customer lists offering deposit bonuses. One player complains his MVP account was deleted after winning $2338. The player declined the initial deposit
bonus offer, but was given a $3,000 line of credit. He went on to win $2338.00. The ’
agent’ tells SBR that he will not pay because the MVP phone clerk was not supposed to let him wager the amount he did, and claims the bettor targeted "a weak clerk." The
agent also claims the player’s winning bets do not count because the player agreed to "settle" once he had lost $1000. However, the line of credit gave the player ability to lose up to $3,000.
Players should avoid dealing with phone solicitors or verify offers are directly from the sportsbook. Those seeming to represent MVP may only be part of BetOnSports’ ’per-head’ service.
4/24/2006 02:33 PM
SCAM ALERT: "Vince Taylor", a former employee for no-pay sportsbooks, HiltonSports(SBR rating D-), SunsetSports(SBR rating F-), RoverSportsbook(SBR rating F-) and BetWGN(SBR rating F-), soliciting deposits. Vince used
SandalsWager.com, a per-head credit sportsbook website to book his players’ wagers and serve as an
agent. A player complains that Vince posed as his account manager and broke off communication when he was ready to take his first payout on a $15,000 balance. SandalsWager’s only response to the matter was "
all inquiries should be addressed to the agent".
10/15/2005 02:51 AM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Stiff sportsbook
Ewinner (SBR rating F-) back online operating as a credit/
agent sportsbook. Ewinner
closed in September of last year, stealing over $60,000 from winning players. The book is still using the same phone line, 1-877-394-6637.
1/10/2005 03:36 PM
Merger talks dominate the industry. Several A and A+ books involved. SBR has been directly notified by several major sportsbooks that they have signed confidentiality agreements and/or retained
agents for private talks. SBR has been bearish on mergers and generally skeptical of previous possible combinations. However, for better or worse, it appears that 2005 will be the year that a major phase of consolidation will begin.
1/10/2005 04:49 AM
BetRoyal (SBR rating D) exits the credit business. Operating under BetMidas.com, Royal Sports attempt at the credit side of the business is finally over. BetMidas and BetCharter were both unprofitable and highly problematic involving scam artists and stiff
agents. The move is a positive one which will allow Royal to focus on their core post-up business.
10/11/2004 11:44 AM
BetMidas (SBR rating F+ raised from F-) This is a per-head service offered by Royal Sports. SBR will eventually drop the coverage of this scam infested credit-only sportsbook. However, players should be aware that many supposed
agents are really con artists using BetMidas and BetRoyal to facilitate their scam. Beware of
agents asking you if you would like to play on credit. If you lose they will demand immediate payment and if you win they will disappear and Royal will tell you the
agent went away for a while.
8/29/2004 09:42 AM
SBR reporting from Curacao, Netherlands Antilles: BetRoyal (SBR rating D+) in arrears to their Western Union agent. Royal Sports continued to tell this vendor for the past 6 months they were unable to make even a partial payment on this important $80,000 debt. Management of Royal promised payment when football started but instead has put the Western Union
agent on a payment plan claiming they do not have the liquidity. Royal Sports continues to insist they have money but admit they conduct business in a dishonorable method and are in serious arrears on nearly all accounts.
6/23/2004 12:53 PM
BetCascade (SBR rating C) Players should use caution. SBR continues to with hold a further downgrade while trying to verify the financial backing. There are a few reports of credit players being slow paid, these reports are not through SBR and have not been confirmed. In addition, SBR can confirm a well respected
agent has pulled out along with one minor investor. SBR at this time would recommend players who deposit money (post-up players) who enjoy Cascade keep their balances at a bare minimum or withdraw their funds until more facts are known. Credit players who have strong
agents, that are fully responsible for all settlements, are not affected.
12/8/2003 05:27 PM
BlueGrass (SBR rating C-) Rumors reportedly started by a rouge
agent causes run on bank - well run book has struggled through a poor year - Doubtful recent rumor will have any lasting negative impact
11/16/2002 10:59 AM
Heritage Downgraded - removed from the Full Recommended List - Sharp players upset their limits were lowered have created a significant exodus/ run on the bank - Insiders and credit
agents
among those heading for the exits. There have been zero slow pay complaints - book may actually reemerge stronger after it completes the purge of its professional player base - Heritage GM who has a history of personal problems was one of the founders of Pinnacle and a very respected bookmaker for over 20 years.
8/28/2002 09:47 AM
CRIS - Downgraded from the Recommended List
agents have closed and searched offices
4/18/2002 03:34 PM
Costa Rica - CR
agents & FBI said to be hunting down certain operators -We continue to advise caution
4/4/2002 03:34 PM
Cascade -Well respected
agent vouches that slowpay rumors concerning BetCascade have nothing to do with book itself