6/1/2006 08:40 PM
betonstars(SBR rating F-) - The proposed deal to rescue this failed sportsbook has fallen through according to their previous promoter; TheOnlineWire. While
betonstars was operating, management as well as their promoter publicly criticized SBR for their poor SBR rating and SBR’s skepticism that they were not simply another scam. The
betonstars failure is yet another reminder that weak sportsbooks and scams abound in this unregulated industry. Players are advised to carefully research a sportsbook before sending money.
5/14/2006 11:30 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: betonstars (SBR rating F-) players hoping for bailout offer. The sportsbook has been off-line for over one week and delinquent on withdrawals for over a month. SBR has not received confirmation of a payout since our
previous report on 5/05/06. The sportsbook has shut down communication with players. SBR to management’s personal phone lines have not been answered.
5/14/2006 11:26 PM
betonstars downgraded from F to F-
5/5/2006 07:02 PM
betonstars downgraded from D- to F
5/5/2006 06:46 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: betonstars (SBR rating F) unable to process withdrawal requests; still accepting deposits. The sportsbook tells SBR they expect to have a resolution to their financial problems by Tuesday when they will either be purchased, or allow another sportsbook to take over player accounts. BOS has been unable to fulfill substantial withdrawal requests over the last three weeks but some players have been receiving partial payment. Accounting states that they are prioritizing payouts by the amount the client has deposited.
4/16/2006 02:31 PM
betonstars downgraded from D to D-
3/17/2006 07:11 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: betonstars(SBR rating D) continues to struggle to keep merchant accounts funded. The sportsbook relocated to its
new office on 2/08/06 and management assured SBR that this would be the company’s turning point.
betonstars has since experienced persistent technical difficulties and players continue to report having to wait for their withdrawals. Customer service manager, John, recently left the company to join Bet4Aces(SBR rating D-).
Player:
"I have been having a problem getting paid by betonstars. I requested a $2500 Neteller payout on Monday (13th) and have yet to receive it. I called them back on Tues and Wed to re-request the payout and they said that I was "first on their list" to receive money but at this time they had no money in their Neteller account. They said they were waiting on funds to clear. Anyway, I waited Thurs and Fri, even placing a $1000 on Fri night (and losing). I just called to check the progress of my withdrawl and they said the customer service department was closed but they could process it for me and I should get it Monday (they didn’t say why it hadn’t been processed on Thurs or Fri). I will let you know what happens but I have a bad feeling about this. This is the first time I have ever used a Sportsbook of questionable reputation and I have learned my lesson. I don’t know if you have had any other complaints recently, but I don’t want anyone else to go through what I have gone through so I thought I should let you know."
2/27/2006 11:52 AM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: betonstars(SBR rating D) off-line since Friday; SBR visits office. SBR has verified that
betonstars is staffed and is taking wagers. Management tells SBR that their IQ-L software service was discontinued on Friday and they are in the process of implementing ASI’s software package. The sportsbook is unable to process payouts during this down time. Players can reach customer service by calling 1-800-799-6353.
2/23/2006 06:22 PM
betonstars upgraded from D- to D
2/8/2006 08:09 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: betonstars(SBR rating D-) phones and livechat down during office move. The migration began two days after the Super Bowl which is the most common time for a failing book to pull the plug. The fast-busy phone signal had players concerned.
betonstars has allowed SBR to visit and
take pictures during the setup of their new office.
The sportsbook blames nervous clients for emptying its Neteller merchant account. One player has been waiting for a $1500 Neteller payout since the weekend. Management tells SBR that they expect to have a funded Neteller account, as well as a working phone system tomorrow.
2/9/2006 (3:37:57 PM) Update: Player paid in full.
1/30/2006 11:46 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: betonstars(SBR rating D-) processes withdrawals for two players who have both waited over one week; the sportsbook reports being up to date on all withdrawals. SBR will continue to monitor pending requests and confirm payments with players as the sportsbook talks of moving their office prior to Super Bowl weekend.
1/28/2006 02:57 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: betonstars(SBR rating D-) tells SBR they are waitng for a $10,000 deposit to clear its Neteller merchant account in order to pay slow-paid bettors. When asked how they planned to pay players beyond this relatively small sum, management replied:
"We will have enough left over to pay other players".
betonstars players now fear that the book will rely on a profitable Super Bowl from the few clients that remain. SBR and slow-paid players were originally assured that this latest wire would clear on January 24th.
1/18/2006 06:00 PM
betonstars(SBR rating D-) confirms the SBR report that popular lead man, Jay, has been terminated. betonstars admits making mistakes but vows to clear up all slow pays.
http://forum.sbrforum.com/showthread.php?t=5079&page=2
Ownership writes SBR:
You guys do not make it easy but I do appreciate the pressure because you guys watch each others backs. I respect that. I am here and I am rock solid. All I have is my word. I thank all of you for all comments good or bad. The truth is our best weapon as well as what we do to fix these kinds of problems. I look after my players and will NEVER fail to pay someone...
JOhnny
1/18/2006 03:13 PM
betonstars(SBR rating D-) Promising payments to some players and paying smaller players. Public pressure helping to accelerate payment plans from troubled
betonstars.
One player reports to SBR:
"I spoke with the owner of betonstars - Johnny. He told me that he had not been properly informed of the coversations I had had with Jay, and that he would personally put an end to this problem. I am taking his promise at face value.He assured me that I would be paid out entirely by this coming Monday - $X,XXX this Friday and the remainder on Monday...." betonstars manager known as "Jay" has said to be "out". SBR sources say he has left the country.
1/18/2006 12:08 AM
betonstars downgraded from D- to F+ (Downgrade reversed to previous D-)
1/17/2006 07:36 PM
betonstars(SBR rating D-) players nervously trying to get payouts. This sportsbook was heavily promoted by a slippery outfit and their associates that specialize in promoting new and dangerous sportsbooks. Sources in Costa Rica claim they are looking for a buyer. TOW,
betonstars main promoter, had earlier reported that
betonstars management had left, that their Neteller bank account was empty and that poor business decissions had hurt them. Less than two hours after making the statement TOW said their report was completely false and that the book was actually very healthy. Most industry observers have speculated that this book is now just limping along looking for a bailout partner.
Player writes SBR:
"Jay, (
betonstars General Manager)
I have written and called you almost a dozen times and have not heard back from you. We had agreed almost 2 weeks ago that you would process payouts for my money as soon as I met the 20x rollover requirement.
I continued to bet as per your assurance and met that rollover 8 days ago. I have not received a dime.
You have sent me explicit emails stating that the accounting department would process a withrawal "ASAP" last Wednesday, but no such thing was ever done."
Players can avoid unscrupulous promoters and high risk sportsbooks by joining only those sportsbooks with an SBR rating of B+ or better.
1/14/2006 08:37 AM
betonstars downgraded from D+ to D-
1/14/2006 08:06 AM
betonstars(SBR rating D-) It has been reported that there has been a management change and slow pays. The sportsbook’s main advertiser, who specializes in promoting high risk sportsbooks, reported that
betonstars was slow paying, had an empty Neteller bank account, that their manager had left and that they had made some "seriously bad business decisions". Later the promoter retracted the statement claiming it was a "misunderstanding" and that the sports book was fine. We can not tell what is true and what is spin at this point.
Players are strongly advised to not have
ANY money on deposit at new sportsbooks.
12/24/2005 07:01 PM
betonstars(SBR rating D+) claims slow paying was because they bought advertising and they were temporarily out of money. Their new advertisers have swung into action. MajorWager complained SBR was picking on the slow pay sportsbook. Even TheOffshoreWire, who is also on the
betonstars payroll, complained that SBR was
"..crucifying a young book for a glitch" (glitch = slow pay).
Players should use extreme caution with new sportsbooks and books that have not aquired enough business sense to know that the sportsbook must pay the players first and then pay their advertisers.
12/23/2005 12:31 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: betonstars(SBR rating D+) player waiting since Tuesday morning for $2500 Neteller payout. Player states he was told Neteller was unfunded and that they "are waiting for a check to clear". He was promised his funds on each of the past two days, and is hoping to receive his withdrawal before accounting closes for the holiday.
12/16/2005 04:57 AM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: betonstars(SBR rating D+) freezes player’s account for 7 days before removing $500 in earned bonus funds and sending remaining balance.
betonstars tells the player he was committing fraud by wagering on odds that have, or were about to change. The sportsbook initially threatened the player
over livechat, saying they may keep winnings, as well as the awarded bonus incentive.
betonstars has since removed Rule #2 from their site which states, "
All fraudulent activities and wise actions in the account will result as account closure and loss of funds." SBR to inquire with management about the confiscation of bonus funds.
10/24/2005 02:14 PM
betonstars upgraded from D to D+
8/30/2005 11:08 PM
betonstars - SBR initiates coverage at D
8/19/2005 02:26 AM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Wagering department of defunct
Changeabet (SBR rating F-) opens new sportsbook
betonstars (not rated).
betonstars is a sister book of
ScoreonSports (SBR rating D-) which had previously introduced itself to players as part of the Changeabet family of sportsbooks.