2/10/2012 11:11 AM
towergaming agrees to credit players' winnings in confiscation disputestowergaming (SBR rating D+) has agreed to credit all winnings in the confiscation disputes that involved non-recreational players.
On January 20th, SBR reported that
towergaming confiscated €381 in winnings from two players.
towergaming voided the winnings and refunded the players' deposits by stating that its welcome bonus was intended only to be used by recreational bettors. Since publishing that report, an additional three complaints were filed by players that also had their winnings confiscated. A total of €3,395 was zeroed from five players by
towergaming.
Customer service at
towergaming originally was not cooperative with SBR. However, a manager recognized the situation and reached out to SBR explaining that the sportsbook concluded bonus fraud took place among the players that filed complaints.
towergaming pointed to a number of details that led it to believe bonus abusers were collaborating to defraud the sportsbook, but ultimately lacked the type of evidence necessary to warrant voiding winnings. After considering SBR's viewpoint,
towergaming reversed its decision and agreed to credit all winnings docked from players. SBR has reached out to the five players and asked them to confirm.
Summary of towergaming player confiscationsA
towergaming player deposited €25 on February 1st, increased his balance to €138.95 and ordered a payment to Moneybookers. The player had accepted
towergaming's welcome bonus, which matched 100% up to €25. After requesting payment, the player received an email from
towergaming indicating that the welcome bonus was intended to be used by recreational gamblers.
towergaming affirmed that it reserves the right to amend, cancel, reclaim or refuse any promotion as its discretion. In other words,
towergaming was justifying not honoring its signup bonus. After being credited his deposit via Moneybookers, the player filed a
sportsbook complaint through SBR.
A
towergaming player deposited €25 on January 16th, increased his balance to €134, then requested a withdrawal. Just as with the above example, the player was told that his deposit would be refunded and all winnings voided;
towergaming pasted the same provision which allowed it to cancel a promotion and a bettors' winnings at its discretion. The player filed his sportsbook complaint through SBR three days later.
A
towergaming player deposited €25 on January 17th, wagered his balance up to €272, then requested payment via MB. The player completely fulfilled wagering requirements on the welcome bonus. To his surprise,
towergaming informed him that he was only able to withdraw his original deposit. The
towergaming representative disconnected his chat when he protested and was unwilling to discuss further. The player wrote to SBR with his complaint on January 19th.
A
towergaming player deposited €25 on January 13th, wagered until his balance reached €707.68, then ordered payment through Moneybookers. The player was asked for documents (ID and utility bill) to verify his account. The player obliged and provided the requested documents. After receiving the documents,
towergaming debited the player's balance by €682.68, leaving the original €25 deposit. The player was told that due to not being a recreational gambler, he was eligible only for his deposit. The player filed his complaint with SBR on January 16th.
A
towergaming player deposited €25 on January 24th, wagered until his balance reached €2,294.16, then made a withdrawal via Moneybookers. The player noted that he was refunded €25 through Moneybookers but that
towergaming failed to specify why his winnings were voided. The player filed a sportsbook complaint on January 24th.
towergaming players that have not been credited winnings back after having deposited refunded are asked to write to SBR. Players can also email SBR directly at help@sportsbookreview.com, or make a public post in the SBR Sportsbook & Industry section.
2/1/2012 06:00 PM
towergaming feedback wantedA
towergaming (SBR rating D+) player states that he requested payment of €527 on January 25th to Moneybookers. The player's withdrawal request was cancelled. The player states that on January 31st he requested payment again, and yet to receive his credit. Multiple emails to
towergaming have went unanswered. SBR is following up on this sportsbook complaint.
On January 20th 2012, SBR reported that a
towergaming player had winnings confiscated.
towergaming confiscated €381 from a player on the grounds that the sportsbook's welcome bonus was intended for recreational sports bettors only. SBR is currently discussing this situation with
towergaming management and will update this report.
towergaming players in need of sportsbook assistance are asked to fill out a sportsbook
complaint form. Alternatively, players may reach Sportsbook Review by writing to
help@sportsbookreview.com or by dialing 1-830-255-4677 during
normal business hours.
1/20/2012 04:32 PM
towergaming winnings confiscation disputeTwo unrelated
towergaming (SBR rating D+) players claim that their winnings have been confiscated. Each player has a similar account of the sportsbook debiting their balances, allowing only for their deposits to be returned.
towergaming stated that their welcome bonus was intended for recreational bettors only.
One player shared a transcript that shows "LisaT"—a
towergaming representative—abruptly disconnecting a chat session.
towergaming chatLisaT: I have spoken to the Betting Manager about you
LisaT: Your cashout will not get processed I am afraid
LisaT: Our Welcome Bonus is intended to be utilized by recreational gamblers only. Tower Gaming reserves the right to amend, cancel, reclaim or refuse any promotion at its own discretion.
LisaT: You are welcome to cashout your intial deposit and play elsewhere
The two players state that €381 in winnings have been removed. SBR is following up on this complaint.
On 13 January 2012, SBR reported that
GR88 Sportsbook (SBR rating D+) was introduced to the SBR ratings guide. GR88 is powered by
OddsMatrix, which also runs
towergaming, BoogieBet, BetCave and others. OddsMatrix was first
covered by SBR in July of 2009 for its relationship with defunct bookmaker
BetOnBet (SBR rating F).
Players in need of sportsbook assistance are asked to fill out a sportsbook
complaint form. Alternatively, players may reach Sportsbook Review by writing to
help@sportsbookreview.com or by dialing 1-830-255-4677 during
normal business hours.
1/13/2012 03:22 PM
GR88 introduced to SBR ratings guideGR88 (SBR rating D+) has been added to the
sportsbook ratings guide.
GR88 is part of the Merge Gaming poker network. GR88's sportsbook application is powered by
OddsMatrix. OddsMatrix is a white-label host that also supports
towergaming,
BoogieBet,
BetCave, Bulldog777 and others. OddsMatrix was first
covered by SBR in July of 2009;
BetOnBet, which used OM's software, was a slow-pay sportsbook that went off-line without paying players. Oddsmatrix's COO stated that they were never in control of BetOnBet player funds. The Linx Media Group—who also went off-line—was reportedly responsible for BetOnBet's payment processing.
GR88's website displays a Kahnawake Gaming Commission emblem; deceptive as it is the Merge Gaming network which holds the license, not the GR88 gaming company. GR88 itself claims to be operated by Olympian Trading Limited, a company incorporated in Curacao.
SBR will speak with OddsMatrix management to confirm the extent of the business relationship with GR88.
7/31/2010 02:04 PM
towergaming - SBR initiates rating coverage at D+
7/31/2010 12:53 PM
towergaming, OddsMatrix report
towergaming (SBR rating D+) has been added to the
sportsbook ratings guide.
towergaming is a licensee on the OddsMatrix platform.
OddsMatrix fully supports
towergaming; powering their software and holding player funds in reserve. The COO of OddsMatrix confirmed the business relationship in a letter to SBR.
Jesper Jensen, OddsMatrix COO: Our relationship to towergaming is very good and they have competent people to run the business.
How the white-label platform controls player funds:
Jesper Jensen, OddsMatrix COO: As players are betting with OddsMatrix, we are in control of player funds residing in the sports book. If any of our licensees fails/dies, we are responsible to payout these players. This can only be done if the funds reside physically in the sports book balance. If funds are moved away, e.g. to main balance, poker- or casino balance, it is out of our control. As stated above, players are paid by OddsMatrix, but only if the licensee of OddsMatrix goes bankrupt. We are not doing day-to-day payment processing.
The last Malta-based sportsbook to use the OddsMatrix platform was
BetOnBet (SBR rating F). OddsMatrix claimed at the time that only software was provided to BetOnBet. BetOnBet's processing was reportedly done by the Linx Media Group. Both
BetOnBet and the
Linx Media Group have since went bankrupt. |
Read full towergaming, OddsMatrix report