2/4/2012 04:28 PM
vip sports player still waits for $500 paymentA former
vip sports (SBR rating B-) player writes to SBR with a payment complaint. The player says that he was supposed to be sent a $500 check to settle his account with
vip sports last year. The player has shared communication with
vip sports that indicates a specific courier method as well as tracking number. This payment was never received. The
vip sports customer service box is no longer being managed, after the sportsbook (along with sister sites Nine.com and BetGameday)
shut its doors on 1 August 2011.
On September 5th, SBR
reported that
GTBets (SBR rating C) would honor all VIP group players' balances. GTBets is a new Curacao based bookmaker managed by former VIP managers and using the VIP servers and software. The sportsbook mirroring VIP is an attempt to capitalize on the good name the brand once held. SBR has confirmed that GTBets has honored more than $35,000 in payments, which was believed to be all outstanding requests. SBR will speak with management concerning the $500 botched check withdrawal.
1/12/2012 01:51 PM
vip sports player never paid balanceOn 15 July 2011, SBR reported that
vip sports (SBR rating B-) would close its doors. The Curacao based bookmaker announced that as of August 1st it would no longer be in business.
VIP, along with sister sportsbooks Nine.com and BetGameDay.com instructed players to withdraw their funds by that time. Many seasonal players were taken by surprise when logging on for football season and realizing that the VIP brands were defunct. SBR exhausted all avenues in contacting former VIP personnel and eventually procured a
statement that players would be paid.
GTBets.com (SBR rating C) surfaced the same week, using the same website skin, web server and telephone number as
vip sports. SBR interviewed GTBets.com and learned that the sportsbook acquired the VIP software, hardware and retained key management. GTBets.com attempted to
solicit VIP's former clients into depositing; an attempt to capitalize on the brand and kickstart its own business venture.
GTBets.com later agreed to pay vip sportsbook, BetGameday and Nine.com players that did not request their funds prior to the 1 August 2011 deadline. A total of $45,995 was owed to players and reportedly paid. GTBets assured SBR that it had attempted to contact all players that held unpaid balances with the VIP brands.
SBR has received a new complaint from a player that states he was never paid a $1,590 balance. SBR is contacting GTBets management to discuss the player's claim.
vip sports players in need of assistance should submit a
sportsbook complaint form, or write to SBR directly at
help@sportsbookreview.com.
UPDATE 26 Jan 2012: The player's deposit ($1,590) was made in November of 2009. The player does not recall wagering with the sportsbook, and has no further information to document that a balance was maintained at VIP. SBR has asked the player to provide more information, and considers this matter closed.
12/1/2011 05:32 PM
Player vs vip sports.eu: $1,390 account disputeUPDATE: The player has been paid his balance. Management cites miscommunication for the confusion.A
vip sports.eu (SBR rating C) player that deposited $500 and increased his balance to $1,390 claims that his winnings are not being honored. The player states that
VIP has told him that his deposit would be refunded to his credit card. The player filed a dispute with SBR suggesting that he has no idea why he is not entitled to his winnings. SBR is following up on the account dispute with both the player and sportsbook.
Recent vip sports.eu news
On November 28th, SBR reported that a
vip sports.eu dispute was resolved. A player who had a $460 to win $400 hockey wager cancelled received credit for the wager he should have been able to make at his intended limits. The player also received credit for $35 in withdrawal fees which was docked by Moneybookers when VIP returned the player's balance. After learning that his wager was cancelled, the player grew upset with VIP and demanded that his account be closed. VIP credited the player's Moneybookers account a total of $95 to close out the sportsbook complaint.
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.
11/28/2011 02:08 AM
vip sports.eu cancels players pending bet; says he bet over the limit
vip sports.eu (SBR rating C), which runs on the
BTG Gaming platform along with
SafariCasino (SBR rating D+) and
Dimeline (SBR rating C), canceled a players pending wager. The game had not yet started.
VIP implied that their software did not or was not able to properly enforce limits. The player states that because of their error he missed out on his winning play. SBR will seek comment from management.
vip sports.eu: "Your wager on the hockey wager was cancelled. It exceeded our hockey limits for your account level. Also this game was a steam play and if you are here to bet those wagers your account will be closed.
Management"
vip sports.eu is run by a former
vip sports (SBR rating B-) manager in possession of a customer database. The copycat branding is an attempt to capitalize on
vip sports' industry reputation. Another group of former VIP management and marketing personnel also launched a startup brand after the company closure—
GTBets.com (SBR rating C)—and are in possession of the original software, while
vip sports.eu is powered by the BTG Gaming software.
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.
11/16/2011 06:35 PM
vip sports.eu deceptive marketingvip sports.eu (SBR rating C) is still making deceptive sales pitches to former clients of the now defunct
vip sports (SBR rating B-) family.
vip sports.eu is distributing emails suggesting that it is the same as the terminated
vip sports operation. It is important for players to realize that the original
vip sports is not back - former marketing personnel are attempting to capitalize on the brand's name by releasing targeted emails to former
vip sports and
Nine.com (SBR rating B-) customers.
vip sports.eu is hosted on a different wagering platform, in a different country, with different financial backing and ownership. Players should approach the new
vip sports.eu as an unknown quantity and proceed with caution as with all start-up sportsbook companies.
On November 3rd, 2011, SBR reported that
vip sports.eu is the latest licensee of the
Safari Casino Group. Safari provides
vip sports.eu with wagering software, hosting and processors in exchange for a monthly royalty.
Safari Casino Group is most known for powering
Dimeline Sportsbook (SBR rating C),
BetTheGlobe (SBR rating D+), and
Safari Casino (SBR rating D+). |
vip sports.eu email to players
11/3/2011 03:41 PM
vip sports.eu targeting former vip sports playersvip sports.eu (SBR rating C) is the latest licensee of the
Safari Casino Group. Safari powers
vip sports.eu with wagering software, hosting and processors in exchange for a monthly royalty.
vip sports.eu distributed thousands of emails Monday morning to former players of the now defunct
vip sports (SBR rating B-). The
vip sports.eu manager was formerly employed by
vip sports and possesses an original database list of VIP customers. SBR interviewed the owner of the Safari Casino Group/BTG Gaming software company who confirmed powering the new brand.
It is important to note that the original
vip sports.com went off-line without paying all players.
vip sports closed its doors faster than seasonal account-holders could react to a notice to withdraw their funds. SBR has assisted those players in receiving payments from another start-up sportsbook with former
vip sports personnel,
GTbets.com (SBR rating C). SBR believes that a significant amount of
vip sports players remain unpaid.
vip sports player: I am a long time, 7 year vip sports customer, was never told it was closing. I only make bets during college football season (American football) and just noticed today that my account was closed. I had a 700 USD in the account and would appreciate the money back.
SBR advises players to steer clear of any VIP associated property.
vip sports.eu players with feedback or complaints are asked to submit a sportsbook complaint form, or dial 1-830-255-4677 during normal business hours to speak with a Sportsbook Review dispute analyst.
9/5/2011 07:13 PM
GTBets.com to pay vip sportsbook, BetGameday, Nine.com playersGTBets.com (SBR rating C) tells SBR that they will honor
vip sportsbook players funds. GTBets.com is a new sportsbook that surfaced when
vip sportsbook, BetGameday and Nine.com went off-line on August 1st, 2011. GTBets acquired the
vip sportsbook software, hardware and retained key management. GTBets first came to light when they began
spamming marketing offers to former VIP players, which included those account-holders usernames at VIP.
On July 15th, SBR
reported that
vip sportsbook was preparing to cease operations. VIP, BetGameday and Nine.com advised bettors via their homepages to request balances prior to August 1st, 2011. However, more than thirty players failed to see the warning on time and reported not being paid their final balances - worth more than $45,000. SBR continued to report that seasonal sports bettors missed the messages, reporting not being called or emailed with a heads up as to the closure of the Curacao based sportsbook family. A VIP manager
claimed on August 16th that players in the attached SBR list would receive payment, but that there was no support or accounting team able to service future player claims.
SBR first spoke with GTBets.com Thursday September 1st. Originally GTBets.com was prepared to offer VIP players a deal that if they made their final payout requests prior to October 1st, 2011, they would receive credits to their GTBets accounts and would be fully able to make withdrawals without playing requirements. After speaking with SBR further, GTBets took the restrictions off the good faith gesture so that all players able to confirm their final VIP balances would be able to be credited. |
Read GTbets.com statement
9/3/2011 03:50 PM
vip sportsbook players owed $45,995vip sportsbook players are owed $45,995. Thirty-nine players report that they were not paid their funds prior to
vip sportsbook going offline on August 1st, 2011. The Curacao based operator claims to not have the manpower nor the ability to process additional payouts. The sportsbook company claimed in discussions with SportsbookReview that players were given sufficient notice to access their accounts to initiate their payment requests. Many seasonal sports bettors are logging in for the first time for the upcoming football season, and did not noitce the July notice on the
vip sports, BetGameday, or Nine.com websites. SBR will update this report.
8/31/2011 06:14 PM
vip sportsbook players owed $42,345vip sportsbook players report being owed $42,345.
On July 15th,
SBR reported that vip sportsbook and sister sites BetGameday and Nine.com would be closing their doors on August 1st, 2011. A message was placed atop each sportsbook homepage prompting bettors to request their funds by that time. Numerous seasonal sports bettors that did not log-in to see the notice report not receiving any email or phonecall alerts from
vip sportsbook to withdraw their balances.
On August 16th, "Jay" (a former
vip sportsbook operations manager) told SBR that the players who filed sportsbook complaints would be paid. However, no mention was made of the sports bettors that have not yet contacted SportsbookReview, or who have not logged into their accounts to recognize the closure. On August 31st, SBR spoke with the VIP manager over telephone and it was stated that while players in the attached list would receive payment, no further payouts would be made. The manager claimed that the
vip sportsbook office had closed and that there was no dedicated support team or contacts to field player inquiries, it was also stated that the primary reason for shutting the operation down was the difficulty of working with payment processors.
SBR will update this report.
8/26/2011 05:20 PM
vip sportsbook players owed $31,153The SBR mailbag is growing with letters from
vip sportsbook, Nine.com and BetGameDay players. The sportsbook family went off-line on August 1st, 2011, and has yet to pay all players.
On July 15th,
Sportsbook Review reported that the
vip sportsbook group was preparing to shut its doors. In that report, SBR relayed the message hung on the VIP websites directing players to request their balances prior to August 1st. Many players never saw the message, however, and currently thirty players report not being paid $31,153. The amount seems relatively small considering that the family of sportsbooks has been online more than a decade, and was once considered an industry titan. While the exact amount of outstanding funds is unknown, SBR has received at least one report per day in the last two weeks of unpaid funds. Seasonal sports bettors were left blindsided by the move, many only logging into their accounts near the start of the football year. Players state that no email notices were sent advising them to request their funds, and that follow-up emails to the VIP support line have went unanswered.
SBR is attempting to make contact with "Jay", a former operations manager with
vip sportsbook who claimed on August 16th that players would receive their final payment shortly. Jay also addressed the emergence of GtBets.com—a website hosted on
vip sportsbook's server, which shares the same layout, customer service numbers—by acknowledging that former employees are behind the venture. On August 15th, SBR reported that
GTbets.com was sending marketing emails to former VIP players containing their VIP log-in information. While GTbets.com has not provided official comment on any connection to the now off-line
vip sportsbook group, the operation is also headquartered in Curacao.
SBR is hopeful that the disconnect between the VIP Group and its former players is attributable to technical challenges following the sites closure and the termination of support mailboxes. SBR will update this report as any of the reported thirty players confirm receiving their funds, or as more non-payment reports surface.
8/23/2011 06:46 PM
vip sportsbook players owed $29,063Twenty-five
vip sportsbook (SBR rating B-) players report being owed $29,063. The players did not request payment of their account balances prior to the August 1st, 2011 deadline imposed by VIP. On July 15th, SportsbookReview reported that the
vip sportsbook group announced that it would be closing. While VIP management initially told SBR that players were given ample notice to initiate payout requests, several players have reported that they were not given any heads up.
On August 15th, SBR reported that
Gtbets.com (SBR rating C) surfaced targeting
vip sportsbook Group players. GTbets.com shares the
vip sportsbook server, customer service numbers and website skin. In addition, players forwarded marketing mailers which contained their VIP username and passwords.
vip sportsbook operations manager "Jay" told SBR on August 16th that VIP, Nine.com and BetGameday have nothing to do with GTBets. The manager confirmed that former employees are now working on the site.
SBR will update this report.
Players in need of sportsbook assistance are asked to fill out a sportsbook complaint form.
Alternatively, players may reach SBR by writing to
help@sportsbookreview.com or dialing 1-830-255-4677 seven days a week during normal business hours.
8/21/2011 04:28 PM
vip sportsbook balance holders asked to write to help@sportsbookreview.comThree new players have written Sportsbook Review to launch complaints against
vip sportsbook,
Nine.com and
BetGameday. The three players are owed $1,030, $900, and $600 collectively. Each player reports that no notice was delivered to their registered email address informing them of the
vip sports group closure. VIP management initially told SBR that players were given multiple notices each, in addition to the prominent ad atop its homepage prompting bettors to withdraw their funds. The players point out that they are seasonal bettors who were unaware of the closure, and that they discovered the closure when trying to access their accounts for the NFL preseason.
SBR last heard from a VIP manager on Tuesday August 16th. The manager stated that players who did not request their balances in time would be paid once financial processes completed allowing VIP to send a final wave of funds. None of the 18 players on SBR's list have yet reported payment. The players are owed $12,183. SBR will update this report.
Players in need of sportsbook assistance are asked to fill out a sportsbook complaint form.
Alternatively, players may reach SBR by writing to
help@sportsbookreview.com or dialing 1-830-255-4677 seven days a week during normal business hours.
8/18/2011 04:37 PM
vip sportsbook updateSince SBR's last
vip sportsbook update on August 16th, an additional two users have reported that they held balances which have not been paid as of August 18th, 2011. The players did not request their funds prior to the August 1st deadline set by
vip sports after the company closure was announced.
vip sportsbook,
Nine.com and
BetGameday are currently off-line. The total amount of outstanding funds owed to users is now $10,876.
A
vip sportsbook operations manager claimed that the players who did not request payment in time would receive payment. SBR has followed up to inquire on whether accommodations would also be made for players that did not contact SBR not
vip sportsbook to arrange to be paid their final balances. SBR will update this sportsbook report as more information becomes available.|
vip sportsbook players outraged
8/16/2011 02:27 PM
vip sportsbook says players will be paidA former
vip sportsbook (SBR rating B-) operations manager has contacted Sportsbook Review today stating that players who did not request payment in the allotted time—the
August 1st deadline—would be paid. The manager explained that the two individuals SBR had communicated briefly with were no longer servicing exiting VIP players inquiries and that their mailboxes were not being monitored. The manager stated that he would be contacting players on SBR's list to inform them that they would be paid soon. SBR questioned VIP as to the relationship with
GTbets.com (SBR rating C), the newly surfaced sportsbook that shares VIP servers, software and customer support. The manager denied a business overlap from an ownership perspective, but conceded that former employees of
vip sports are managing the new brand.
Players that did not request payment from
vip sportsbook prior to the August 1st deadline where
vip sportsbook,
Nine.com and
BetGameDay announced their closure are advised to write to help@sportsbookreview.com with their account usernames and balance information.
8/15/2011 07:31 PM
ALERT: GtBets.com operating on vip sportsbook server, sharing phone number & website skinGtbets.com (unrated) has surfaced and is targeting slow-pay sportsbook
vip sportsbook (SBR rating B-) players.
vip sports announced that it would be closing down on July 15th, and asked players to withdraw their balances prior to August 1st, 2011. Fourteen players report not receiving $9,382. A
vip sports security team advisor, as well as a customer service represent have told SBR that no additional payments will be made to players that did not know to request their funds by August 1st. SBR has written and attempted to call VIP each day following those statements, last receiving a response Thursday August 12th.
It is not yet known whether Gtbets.com purchased a customer list from
vip sports, or whether an unofficial rebranding has taken place. Players that have not been paid were given no additional updates from
vip sports.
SBR is following up on this latest development and will update this report. |
vip sports update thread
8/13/2011 03:51 PM
vip sports, Nine.com, BetGameday downgraded from B+ to B-
8/13/2011 02:43 PM
vip sportsbook players await their final paymentTwelve
vip sports (SBR rating B-) players report being owed a total of $8,432. The players did not initiate a withdrawal prior to the VIP deadline of August 1st, 2011. Sportsbook Review
reported on 7/15 that
vip sportsbook, along with sister sportsbooks
Nine.com and
BetGameday would be closing their doors. Management has not provided a time-table on when the players who did not request their balances in the allotted time can expect payment. SBR will update this report as more information becomes available.
8/10/2011 03:17 PM
vip sportsbook updatevip sports tells SBR that all future bets were refunded to players on July 1st, 2011.
VIP launched notices via its family of sportsbook websites and email asking bettors to withdraw their balances before the operation closed doors on August 1st, 2011.
Three players have written to Sportsbook Review stating that a total of $1,700 was not paid to them as they had not responded to VIP's notice to withdraw funds by the given deadline. SBR is discussing these players situations with VIP management asks all bettors who have not received balances held at VIP, Nine.com or BetGameday to write to help@sportsbookreview.com with their account usernames and balance information.
8/8/2011 02:33 PM
vip sports, Nine.com, BetGameday payment feedbackOn July 15th, Sportsbook Review
reported that
vip sports (SBR rating B+) and its sister sportsbooks would be closing on August 1st, 2011. VIP displayed a note atop its webpage asking players to request a payout prior to August 1st, 2011. SBR has received two letters from players that were not aware that the sportsbooks were headed off-line. These players have not been contacted yet with instructions on how to proceed with requesting their funds. SBR has followed up with VIP support about these inquiries and has specifically asked what will happen to pending future bets in the system. SBR will update this report.
8/3/2011 12:25 PM
EasyStreet targeting former BetJamaica, Greek, BetEd, VIP customersEasyStreet (SBR rating D) is sending promo emails to players offering a 35% cash signup bonus. While the email is titled "Attention all Greek and BetJamaica Clients", the opening lines also address former BetEd, Nine.com and
vip sports players. EasyStreet's promo mailer states that the sportsbook has no intent of leaving the US market.
Prior to each football season, all online sportsbooks begin to pump up their marketing and bonuses in an attempt to retain or reel in customer business for the coming pigskin year. Players are advised to avoid lowly rated sportsbooks with histories of unfairly dealing with players. In addition to the already established sportsbooks, many fly-by night scam attempts are made by rogue operators in possession of industry mailing lists. While
EasyStreet Sports is not designated as a
blacklisted sportsbook, its poor rating is largely attributed to the
theft of $46,000 from a winning casino player accused of robot play. |
EasyStreet spams former sportsbook players
7/15/2011 10:37 PM
vip sports to close August 1st, 2011vip sports (SBR rating B+) has announced it will close on August 1st, 2011.
vip sports and sister sportsbooks Nine.com and BetGameday.com each display a note atop their homepage asking players to request a payout within the next two weeks. SBR is following up with VIP to ask what will happen with pending futures bets, and to inquire on who players should contact if their funds are not requested prior to the August 1st closure date.
vip sports historyvip sports has long been a player favorite, with a reputation of catering to their "VIP" customer base by offering personalized rewards programs.
vip sports was based in the Dutch Antilles, operated by parent company Stockdale Investment Ltd.
vip sports was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2005, and continued its prominence by acquiring the MyBookie Group which included Nine.com and Betcom.com.
vip sports also acquired the English Harbor Casino Group in November of 2005. In the spring of 2006,
vip sports announced a full year gross profit of more than $80M, citing a 26% growth from 2005.
vip sports lowered it's profile in the fall of 2006, deciding to no longer accept new player registrations from the United States on the heels of the UIGEA act.
vip sports continued to operate a well-run sportsbook for the next six years. Its next major announcement came in January of 2011, when the sportsbook announced that its grandfathered Washington State players could no longer maintain accounts with VIP, amidst legal questionmarks surrounding players from that state.
Players with any questions pertaining to their upcoming withdrawals for
vip sports or any sister sportsbook should write to SBR at help@sportsbookreview.com. SBR may also be reached by phone during normal business hours at 1-830-255-4677.
1/12/2011 01:53 PM
vip sports, Matchbook no longer accepting players from Washington StateWashington State residents are no longer able to ante up at
vip sports (SBR rating B+), or
Matchbook (SBR rating B-). In 2006, the United States SAFE Port Act was enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Bush. The act contained a last minute passage regarding internet gambling, labeled the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). The UIGEA makes it illegal for US banks to process transactions to and from known gambling operators. The act does not state that it is unlawful for citizens to wager online and does not list penalties for doing so. |
Full report
12/17/2010 02:00 PM
Player vs vip sports, $77,500 winnings disputeUPDATE - SBR finds in favor of vip sports. The player failed to provide sufficient proof that his deposits cleared. The player also declined to authorize SBR to request a bank-printed statement on his behalf to solidify his position.A
vip sports (SBR rating B+) player reports a $77,500 winnings dispute. On December 4th, the player states that he deposited $1,500 via instant deposit. In the following week, the player increased his balance to $79,000. On December 12th, the player states that after attempting to log into his account he received a message that his sportsbook access had been disabled. The player called the number left on the screen for him, and was told that his deposit had been declined due to insufficient funds and that his winnings were nullified.
The player claims to have followed up with his bank and received confirmation that no debit attempt was made for the amount of $1,500.
VIP disputes this, adding that three years ago the player had an $8,000 insufficient funds dispute which was ultimately settled. SBR has scheduled a call to discuss the winnings dispute with VIP's operations manager.
On 12/6/2004, SBR
reported that instant deposits were a source of complaints from some players who carelessly left an insufficient amount of funds in their bank accounts, or caused the deposits to bounce by spending funds before the sportsbook could debit them. The general processing time for instant deposits can be up to 3 business days. Players must ensure that a sufficient balance is left in their accounts to avoid insufficient funds disputes. |
vip sports Player comments
7/20/2008 11:36 PM
vip sports lowered from A- to B+
7/28/2006 06:29 PM
SBRforum: Today is the last day new contestants will be eligible for the Grand Prize, A Trip for Two to Curacao, for the
vip sports Bases Bankroll Contest. Current standings show posters Kdmfox, Manly and Stump in the lead and less than one unit apart! All players are eligible for monthly cash prizes through the end of the MLB regular season.
6/28/2006 12:34 PM
SBR Bill Dozer reports: Newest Leisure & Gaming Plc sportsbooks,
Nine, BetCom and MyBookie receive upgrades from B to B+ after inheriting A+ rated
vip sports’ wagering rules and policies.
VIP’s terms of service were implemented today.
5/31/2006 01:19 PM
New Entries Still Eligible for Baseball Bankroll Contest Grand Prize. SBRforum posters are competing for a trip for two to the Caribbean island of Curacao; with airfare, 5 nights deluxe accommodations, and $1,000 spending money courtesy of
vip sports (SBR rating A+). Contestants are also competing for monthly cash prizes in their VIP accounts. Congratulations to last month’s winner,
Stump, who took 1st prize with a record of 16-4. Enter contest and see full details here.
4/2/2006 10:18 AM
Free Baseball Bankroll Contest Begins Today. SBRforum posters will compete for a trip for two to the Caribbean island of Curacao, with airfare, 5 nights deluxe accommodations, and $1,000 spending money courtesy of
vip sports(SBR rating A+). Contestants will also compete monthly for betting cash prizes in their VIP accounts. Enter contest and see full details and rules here.
3/28/2006 11:48 AM
vip sports announces a full year gross profit of $80,900,000, cites early 2006 growth exceeding 26%.
2/16/2006 11:39 PM
Nine (SBR rating B) office tour: SBR’s latest photo shoot covers one of the nicest offices in the business. The Nine building has been remodeled to promote the brand, which is now owned by A+ rated
vip sports.
View photos here.
2/12/2006 11:35 AM
Merger and Aquistion activety at all time high. vip sports is the most active buyer. YouWager, BetRoyal and many smaller books are all said to be Sellers actively seeking buyouts. BetCRIS could also be a Buyer under the right circumstances which recently has focused on bailing out small operators. BetWWTS has made several trips and has signed at least one confidentiality agreement although we are unaware of any serious interest. Sportsbooks who have had made M&A headlines in the recent past that appear to be holding pat; Hollywood, BoDog, SportsInteraction are said to be no longer active Sellers. Smaller operations such as BetMaker, YouWager and Sportbet along with operations that have difficult reputations such as Royal Sports have mostly signed confidentiality agreements giving buyers a chance to possibly make an offer. SBR expects a pick-up in M&A activity despite rising valuations.
1/14/2006 12:24 PM
Current SUPER TOP 10 Sportsbooks. Consensus of 3 top experts. The following is the combined SUPER TOP 10 according to;
The Sportsbook Review (SBR) Top 10 Recommended List
The EOG Top 10 Sportsbooks in the World
TheRX.com poster voted top Sportsbooks1. Pinnacle (36)
2. CRIS (30)
3. Olympic ( 29)
4. Hollywood (20)
5. vip sports (18)
6. WSEX (17)
7. 5 Dimes (10)
8. BetJamaica ( 9)
9. Bet365 (9)
10. BetCascade ( 9)
Others receiving votes: BetWWTS(7), Skybook(7), Bodog(3), Mansion(2), Legendz(2)
Sources:
http://www.sportsbookreview.com/Recommended+List/http://www.eog.com/news/index.aspx?id=1126http://forum.therx.com/showthread.php?t=337810
12/10/2005 09:27 PM
Powerhouse vip sportsbook (SBR rating A+) reaches a market value of $125 million USD (68 billion Costa Rican). After gobbling up up Nine.com, SBR sat down with the honorable Alistair Assheton, CEO of VIP in the executive offices in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles:
SBR: Is VIP still in the acquisition mode?
Mr. Assheton : "Yes. We will be extremely selective however. We would look to acquire a strong brand with strong management that could compliment our present operation."
SBR: Any names you could mention?
Mr. Assheton : No. From your early report on our previous acquisition of Nine.com, I don’t especially think you need me to name names, correct?
SBR: Yes sir. Thank you Mr Assheton.
Mr. Assheton: It’s my pleasure.
11/9/2005 07:10 AM
vip sports (SBR rating A+) to acquire the MyBookie Group to include Nine.com and Betcom.com VIP will also acquire English Harbor Casino group.
7/10/2005 06:40 PM
vip sportsbook (SBR rating A+) goes public; shares begin trading on the London Stock Exchange. Share prices for VIP continue upward as the investing community becomes familiar with this well run operation.
6/2/2005 09:09 AM
Acquisition minded vip sports(SBR rating A+) to raise millions of dollars in an Initial Public Offering(IPO) on June 28th. VIP looks to swell its considerable acquisition war chest. Take-over candidates that VIP has been rumored to be considering include; BetWWTS(SBR rating A+), Intertops(SBR rating C+), SportsInteraction(SBR rating D+) and Bowmans(SBR rating A-).
4/5/2005 10:39 AM
WSEX (SBR rating A) will soon join SBRLines. The full list includes:
| Pinnacle |
A+ |
| CRIS |
A+ |
| vip sports |
A+ |
| BetWWTS |
A+ |
| BetJamaica |
A+ |
| Hollywood107 |
A+ |
| 5Dimes |
A |
| WSEX |
A |
| Bowmans |
A- |
| Canbet |
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SBRLINES.COM
4/1/2005 04:57 PM
vip sports(SBR rating A+) to offer shares in a public offering on the London Exchange. According to eGaming Review (
egrmagazine.com) the market value of
vip sports will be about $185,000,000.
12/23/2004 12:18 AM
vip sports (SBR rating A+) acquires BetOnGames (SBR rating A-). Already fully under VIP management,
vip sports makes the move to acquire a 100% interest in BetOnGames(BOG). BOG was part of the highly touted big 3 new sportsbooks of 2003. BetJamaica (SBR rating A+) backed by Olympic and BetOnGames have been successful star performers while BetPanAm (SBR rating F-), proved to be nothing more than an amateur run sportsbook that eventually failed. The move to acquire BOG makes the 3rd VIP acquisition in as many months.
12/19/2004 10:43 AM
IGW Software President, Bran Abboud, meets with SBR. Armed with a collection of high-powered designers and programmers, IGW announces they will release a revolutionary new sportsbook management software in the summer of 2005. Currently IGW powers about a dozen sportsbooks with the most popular being
vip sportsbook (SBR rating A+). IGW Software is a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Entertainment Holdings/Equities Inc., publicly traded under symbol GAMM
12/8/2004 10:29 AM
Webmasters: Put SBRLines on your website in 2005.. And brand it as your own! The revolutionary
real-time lines complete with match-up stats will be made available in early 2005. Websites will be able to brand the proprietary real-time SBR feed and offer the best handicapping stats. Websites will have full control over all branding and banner placements. The world class line-up of sportsbooks committed for 2005: WWTS,
vip sports, BetJamaica, 5Dimes, Hollywood107, WSEX, Bowmans, Pinnacle, CRIS.
11/9/2004 11:47 AM
SBR confirms vip sports (SBR rating A+) buys GlobalWager and BetWorldWide. Alistair Assheton, Managing Director of VIP, confirms the earlier SBR report that
vip sports has, as of today, purchased both Costa Rican sportsbooks which were owned separately. Eric Gomez, the GM of GlobalWager, tells SBR that after four years the opportunity to sell to
vip sports was one they could not pass up. Mr. Gomez goes on to say that his customers will be wagering through the VIP system tonight and full customer service will be transferred by Thursday.
11/9/2004 10:17 AM
vip sports (SBR Rating A+) buying two Costa Rican sportsbooks. Awaiting confirmation from
vip sports, however, SBR sources report that
vip sports (SBR rating A+) will buy Globalwager and Betworldwide for an undisclosed amount of cash. Both books have been nothing but trouble for players.
9/12/2004 12:46 PM
Sportsbooks gear up to handle the onslaught of football players on the internet. The top A+ group of sportsbooks reporting no problems handling the load are Pinnacle A+ (
www.pinbet.com),
vip sportsbook A+ (www.
vip sportsbook.com). Load problems have caused slow downs at BetWWTS A+ and BetJamaica A+. A complete phone listing for all sportsbooks is located
here.
9/9/2004 05:13 PM
Part II of the exclusive interview with vip sports (SBR rated A+) CEO Alistair Assheton. Meet the man behind one of the first online sportsbooks.
Read part 2 of this entertaining two part interview.
9/8/2004 05:45 PM
Exclusive interview with vip sports (SBR rated A+) CEO Alistair Assheton. Meet the man behind one of the first online sportsbooks.
Read part 1 of this entertaining two part interview.
9/8/2004 04:01 PM
Curacao-based sportsbooks operating with minimal or no staff due to Hurricane Ivan. Players may notice an absence or decline in service at the following sportsbooks:
vip sports, Game Day, Bet On Games, Fair Deal, Bet19, ASAP, Pinnacle Sports and the BetRoyal Family of books. Most are expecting to be operating as normal by morning.
9/6/2004 03:03 PM
Coming this Thursday: In-person interview with vip sports (SBR rated A+) CEO, Alistair Assheton Catch this rare in-depth interview with the creator of one of the most player-friendly sportsbooks. Think all bookmakers are cigar smoking hustlers? Think again; find out why the well educated Mr. Assheton is thought of as the top executive in the industry today.
9/5/2004 09:37 AM
Two of the top 3 rated sportsbooks start football with aggressive 20% bonus. Both WWTS (SBR rating A+) and
vip sports (SBR rating A+) are offering extremely high bonus packages for new and existing customers. These limited time bonuses will start expiring on September 12th.
5/23/2004 12:42 PM
Pinnacle Sports (SBR rating A+) and vip sports (SBR rating A+) in the news - Pinnacle invites industry to sneak preview of much anticipated casino. SBR team to arrive Wednesday.
vip sports in final stage of preparing to open Euro division based in London. Staff training has begun with an anticipated launch in mid July.
2/26/2004 12:00 AM
vip sports family of books under DoS attack - sites expected to be back up by mid afternoon
2/24/2004 12:00 AM
SBR receives tentative approval for the SBR Co-op player insurance plan from
vip sports
2/22/2004 12:00 AM
Acquisition talk: Canbet (SBR rating B+) has had at least two books in the SBR top 5 show interest - SBR has confirmed that neither book saw value or will make an offer -
Sportbet(SBR rating D) having no luck finding a buyer so far -
WWTS(SBR rating A+) is looking to buy a top 15 book -
Pinnacle(SBR rating A+) has an eye on a specific sector and one company specifically to help its foreign expansion -
vip sports(SBR rating A+) has turned down an offer to merge with an SBR top 10 book and instead has looked at acquiring turnaround candidate SportsInteraction
2/21/2004 12:00 AM
SBR visits Pinnacle(SBR rating A+) Office space has doubled and many new staff have been added since the last SBR visit in October 03. Pinnacle is well known for hiring the best talent in the industry, SBR was told by a Curacao source that Pinnacle pays double what island competitors pay - Pinnacle has recently hired several key employees away from
vip sports(SBR rating A+)
2/4/2004 05:34 AM
vip sports (SBR rating A+) Family of books under DoS attack by extortionists
vip sports 800-606-3576
BetOnGames 888-426-3800
BetGameday 800-386-2387
2/3/2004 05:41 AM
Multiple complaints received
vip sports(SBR rating A+) - DOS attacks continue to disrupt operations
10/5/2003 05:56 PM
SBR tours Pinnacle,
vip sports, GameDay and BetOnGames
8/4/2003 12:38 PM
New multi-million dollar VIP high-tech data center powering up today could cause temporary problems for VIP properties -
vip sports,
vip sportsbook, GameDay, Bet19, BetOnGames
10/9/2002 10:59 AM
vip sports completes major server upgrade - edges up on the Recommended List
4/22/2002 03:34 PM
vip sports acquires Wall Street Super Book - An excellent addition- WSSB is well established, same software
1/28/2002 10:23 AM
vip sports, Pinnacle - Rank #1, #2 in the Sportbook Review client survey with WWTS a close 3rd