SBR review: Skybook

BetPhoenix officially acquires Skybook

Skybook (SBR rating B-) moved to the BetPhoenix (SBR rating B+) platform at the start of last month. The relationship began as a hosting and service arrangement. BetPhoenix told SBR today that they officially own Skybook Sportsbook and stand for Skybook player balances.

Skybook moves to BetPhoenix platform

Skybook (SBR rating B-) has moved to the  BetPhoenix (SBR rating B+) platform. SBR will reevaluate Skybook after confirming the business relationship between the two sportsbooks.

Skybook (SBR rating B-) encountering website issues

Skybook has informed SBR that its main website has went down while registry issues are being fixed. Players can log onto Skybooksports.com to access their Skybook account. Skybook expects website access to be restored within the hour.

Skybook addresses latest Neteller complaint

Skybook (SBR rating B-) has agreed to wave fees for this player's Neteller withdrawals. Skybook has also stated that the player's withdrawal would be "fast-tracked" by raising the amount he is able to request per transaction. SBR will update when the player has been paid in full. Skybook players waiting for Neteller payments are encouraged to contact SBR.

Skybook falsely advertising Neteller withdrawals?

Skybook (SBR rating B-) continues to stall Neteller withdrawals. One large winner writes:[quote]When I asked why they cannot simply replenish their Neteller account, they told me that they have a general policy to not send their own funds to Neteller. So I must wait for others to deposit in order to get paid.[/quote]The player's first Neteller withdrawal request was made on April 15th for $1,000 of his $19,281 balance. As of today, the player has received only $3950. His latest pending $1,000 request, the maximum that Skybook allows per transaction, is on day 63.
On August 10th SBR first reported on Skybook’s inability to pay out via Neteller as advertised. At that time, Skybook management indicated Neteller payments were taking an average 20 days and capped at $1,000 per transfer. The average Neteller payout time has now increased to over 30 days. Skybook’s website is absent of any notice regarding Neteller delay. Only when players submit a withdrawal request are they informed of the lengthy delays and are given alternate withdrawal options with significantly higher fees. This player who is waiting two months, also complains that the sportsbook no longer offers to transfers to sportsbooks such as BetCRIS (SBR rating A+). SBR has advised Skybook to update its website to reflect true withdrawal wait times. Skybook Discussion | Full complaint
 | Read more

Skybook resolves slow-pay complaint

On 9/4 SBR reported that a Skybook (SBR rating B-) player had been waiting for approximately four weeks for a $10,000 bank wire. Skybook stated that the payment was delayed due to the sportsbook moving into the BetEz facility The player received payment this morning.

Skybook payout complaint

A Skybook (SBR Rating B-) player wrote SBR stating he had requested a bank wire four weeks ago, and had been quoted two different payout dates, of which neither payment was received. Skybook management has stated that the player is scheduled for the next bank wire batch going out in the coming week. Skybook management says a batch of bank wire payments were delayed longer than normal due to operational changes. Skybook recently moved to the BetEz's facility.  | Read more

Skybook move to new office, software, complete

Skybook (SBR rating B-) confirms cost-saving migration to the BetEZ Group and their DGS Software platform. Skybook's General Manager states that most members of managment has been retained and the Skybook staff will be based in its own office within the BetEZ facility. Skybook also stated they will continue to do their own processing and are working to improve inconsistent payout timeframes. The bettor who reported waiting 43 days for Neteller was paid $2,356 in full via bank wire on the 43rd day.

Skybook closes office; moves to turnkey software and host provider

Skybook Sportsbook (SBR rating B-) has moved its player accounts from its servers and ASI Software to turnkey provider, BetEZ which uses Digital Gaming Solutions Software. Players reported being unable to access their accounts this evening, likely due to the porting of information to BetEZ from the original database. SBR will contact Skybook to learn the extent of the company changes and if management will remain on site and continue to operate Skybook's banking. Skybook has struggled to pay players through Neteller as of late, missing or not providing estimated payment dates.

Rating Change: Skybook

Skybook downgraded from B to B-

Skybook players unable to receive Neteller payouts as advertised

Skybook (SBR rating B) is advertising Neteller payments but alerts players they must wait 20 business days to have Neteller payments processed after the request. However, one player who is currently waiting is on day 40. Players are offered alternate payment options that are more expensive and the difference is not covered by Skybook. Skybook is unable to estimate when processing time for Neteller may decrease. SBR has suggested that Skybook remove Neteller as a withdrawal option; make note of the known delays on the website, or cover the difference for alternate withdrawal methods. Skybook feedback has otherwise been positive and non-Neteller withdrawals are reported to be processed in a timely manner.

Jazz Sports Group (SBR rating B-) sportsbook websites on day 2 of Denial of Service attack

SkyBook (SBR rating B) website under Denial of Service attack

SkyBook (SBR rating B) sportsbook website under Denial of Service attack

Rating Change: Skybook

Skybook raised from B- to B

BetMania cancels winning wager

BetMania (SBR rating D+) once again arbitrarily cancels wagers
The player was allowed to place online wagers on opposing teams. After the event was over the bettor was informed that the winning wagers, the second set of bets, were canceled because of an unlisted rule. The player is told that the sportsbook does not allow middle attempts. However, BetMania has allowed players to buy back a position when the odds do not move in the bettor's favor. SBR will contact the sportsbook on player's behalf.

Player: Yesterday afternoon I placed two arena football wagers, NY +1.5 and Grand Rapids +12 at $250 each. Both won last night, but I awoke this morning to find out they were cancelled. The reason stated was that Betmania does not permit middling and I had bet the other side of these games two days earlier. Well, no where does it state in their rules about this absurd restriction, but Victor (wager manager) claims it is an "unwritten rule" (what?). He also says that the bets were cancelled before the games went off which I have no way of knowing if it's true. Fact is I could have made my offsets at Betjamaica and Skybook at that exact same lines, had I known about this apparent rule. Bottom line is that these were legit bets, not error lines, so they should stand. As such, Betmania owes me $500, and I am asking your help in getting it. Victor refuses to budge on this matter, and he is so wrong.

Rating Change: Skybook

Skybook <a class=ab href="http://www.sportsbookreview.com/sbr/skybook">Skybook</a>&nbsp;downgraded from B to B-

Rating Change: Skybook

Skybook <A class=ab href="http://www.sportsbookreview.com/sbr/skybook">Skybook</A> lowered from B+ to B

Rating Change: Skybook

Skybook <A class=ab href="http://www.sportsbookreview.com/sbr/Skybook">Skybook</A> downgraded from A- to B+

SBR office Tours:

View photos of BetMania (SBR rating B-) here.
The sportsbook’s new facility is located in Escazu, Costa Rica, and is still under construction. Management tells SBR they plan to be finished with the build-out before the start of the NFL regular season. BetMania recently launched with the help and resources of Skybook (SBR rating A-) but will operate as a separate book under same ownership.

BetMania enters SBR Rating Guide at B-

BetMania is a new sportsbook from Skybook (SBR rating A-) ownership that aims to fill the reduced juice gap left after InternationalIslandSportsbook was absorbed by SkyBook last week. BetMania operates independently in a separate office in Escazu, Costa Rica; and is managed by Head Linesman, Eric and Operations Director, Mike Mitchell, both formerly of Millennium Sports. The book uses ASI software. SBR will visit BetMania in July. 

Skybook (SBR rating A-) Group consolidates properties

Five days after absorbing sister sportsbook, IIS (SBR rating A-), the group has taken Rio (SBR rating A-) and ClickAndBet (SBR rating B) off-line. All accounts will be moved to Skybook.com. Ownership has planned to focus the company on its flagship, and now only brand, for over a year. Skybook will have an affiliation with new sportsbook, BetMania (not rated), which will be managed and operated externally.

InternationalIsland (SBR rating A-) absorbed by Skybook (SBR rating A-)

InternationalIsland was the Skybook family’s -107 reduced juice sportsbook. Players who held an IIS balance of $100 or more will be grandfathered at the -107 line set. All other account holders will receive Skybook’s standard betting lines.

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 Sportsbooks

1. 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=1126
http://forum.therx.com/showthread.php?t=337810

SBR wins the 1st Annual Watchdog NFL Handicapping Contest!

SBR dominated the contest completely eliminating our good friends at TheRx.com in round 1 and eliminating TheOffshoreWire in route to an all SBR Championship round. In the championship round SBR Sean defeated SBR The Prick. Skybook allowed players to bet on the contest making SBR a +$1200 underdog. Congratulation to those who cashed tickets and to all the participants!

Two notable Upgrades: Rio Group and Sportbet

The Rio Group including flagship Skybook breaks into the ’A’ group for the first time.

Sportbet is again rewarded for their continued improvement with an upgrade to B-. Sportbet has now had 4 straight upgrades in the past 18 months. SBR recognizes the effort of the Sportbet management and staff.

Rating Change: Rio

Rio Group including&nbsp;flagship Skybook&nbsp;upgraded from B+ to A-

Rating Change: Skybook

Skybook Rio Group including&nbsp;flagship Skybook&nbsp;upgraded from B+ to A-

The ‘A’ group of sportsbooks not immune from complaints. Weekend comments from players.

WWTS (SBR rating A+) – "At first they would not honor the special listed right on their fxxxing website."

Pinnacle Sports (SBR rating A+) – “My account was frozen (could not login).. I missed all of Saturday’s college football..3 emails, 3 no replys”

FiveDimes (SBR A-) – “SBR should reconsider this rating. The site is either slow or completely down. Look at your own site meter if you doubt me.”

Grande (SBR raing A-) “What a joke! I tried to sign up there but their sign-up page didn’t work. I tried Skybook instead. Went back a month later and the signup page STILL doesn’t work!"

Rating Change: Rio

Rio The RIO Group upgraded: BetRio raised from B to B+, Skybook raised from B to B+ and IISportsbook raised from B to B+. BetOnSports raised from D+ to C

Rating Change: BetOnSports

BetOnSports The RIO Group upgraded: BetRio raised from B to B+, Skybook raised from B to B+ and IISportsbook raised from B to B+. BetOnSports raised from D+ to C

Rating Change: Skybook

Skybook The RIO Group upgraded: BetRio raised from B to B+, Skybook raised from B to B+ and IISportsbook raised from B to B+. BetOnSports raised from D+ to C

SBR mailbag this week is full of complaints:

Betonsportsonline.com (SBR rating - Not Rated) very slow pay - English Sports Betting (SBR rating F-) No Pay - Skybook (SBR rating B) glowing player review from satisfied customer - TCBETS (SBR rating B+) slight slow pay

Rating Change: Rio

Rio Rio/Skybook raised from C+ to B

Rating Change: Skybook

Skybook Rio/Skybook raised from C+ to B

Rio -

SBR separately interviews GM and minority owner of Rio/Skybook - Rio has agreed to a level of disclosure including financial and operating disclosure and to provide trade references - Rio has stated that rumors perpetrated against them are false and Rio would welcome unlimited disclosure - SBR will be on site within a week - Complete evaluation expected to take 3 weeks

Rio management denies MajorWager report

UPDATE: Rio management strongly denying MajorWager report - A source unfamiliar to SBR claims a Costa Rican GM of a competing book has stopped transfers with Rio/Skybook and is concerned about their financial position - It should be noted that Rio has always paid on time and has a very large loyal following. Additionally, the likelihood that the current information on Rio is being planted to harm Rio is to be considered "likely". More news out of Costa Rica seems to collaborate MajorWagers report that Rio has added a significant level of debt this year although none recently. SBR rating lowered to C MajorWager sounds alarm on Rio, current SBR rating B, claims book is strapped for cash - Rio was removed from the SBR Recommended List on 9/23/03 - SBR hopes to have more on this soon

Rating Change: Skybook

Skybook BigCity Sports - Downgraded to the Black List - MajorWager states book in financial trouble - GM, Mitch, has a colorful past as one of the ex-partners in Skybook- 1 of the other partners ran now defunct NAB

Rating Change: Skybook

Skybook Recommended List changes - Grande advances 5 places to 11th, 5Dimes 3 places to 15th, ALLWorld 1 place to 19th - Rio/ Skybook rejoin after 3 week reexamination due to rumors of financial concern

Rating Change: AcesCasino

AcesCasino Recommended List changes - Grande advances 5 places to 11th, 5Dimes 3 places to 15th, ALLWorld 1 place to 19th - Rio/ Skybook rejoin after 3 week reexamination due to rumors of financial concern

Rating Change: Rio

Rio Recommended List changes - Grande advances 5 places to 11th, 5Dimes 3 places to 15th, ALLWorld 1 place to 19th - Rio/ Skybook rejoin after 3 week reexamination due to rumors of financial concern

Rating Change: 5Dimes

5Dimes Recommended List changes - Grande advances 5 places to 11th, 5Dimes 3 places to 15th, ALLWorld 1 place to 19th - Rio/ Skybook rejoin after 3 week reexamination due to rumors of financial concern

Rating Change: AllWorld

AllWorld Recommended List changes - Grande advances 5 places to 11th, 5Dimes 3 places to 15th, ALLWorld 1 place to 19th - Rio/ Skybook rejoin after 3 week reexamination due to rumors of financial concern

Rating Change: Rio

Rio / Skybook - Added to the Top 20 list

Rating Change: Skybook

Skybook Rio / Skybook - Added to the Top 20 list