SBR review: Unibet

Unibet Sportsbook confiscation, SBR Industry News

Sportsbook Review.com provides an SBR Industry News video update for Tuesday, April 30th, 2013. Covered in this show are the latest iGaming disputes submitted by punters plus items reported by SBR in the previous news cycle. The headliner of today's show is a funds confiscation by Unibet Sportsbook (SBR rating C).

Unibet player reports winnings confiscation

A Unibet Sportsbook (SBR rating C) player has filed a complaint alleging that his winnings were confiscated. The player has told SBR that his account was blocked with his balance at €1186. Unibet asked for ID documents which he then provided, however, after receipt of his documents Unibet refunded his initial deposit of €621. The player has not received an answer.  | Read more

Unibet Sportsbook dispute

A Unibet Sportsbook (SBR rating C) player has filed a complaint with Sportsbook Review. The player claims that he created an account with Unibet on February 26th, deposited €50 via Skrill and increased his balance to €300. Unibet allegedly locked the player's account in March and asked for ID documents.  | Read more

Unibet Sportsbook addresses dispute, SBR Industry News

Sportsbook Review.com provides an SBR Industry News video update for Tuesday, February 19th, 2013. Topics covered in today's show include a Unibet Sportsbook dispute reported by SBR this past week, as well as an update on the PointCasino.com (SBR rating D) bonus winnings confiscations which have been covered at length by SBR.  | Read more

Schleswig-Holstein hands down four more licenses

The Northern German State of Schleswig-Holstein has handed out four new poker and casino licenses. Operators Unibet and Merukur-Win received one of each of the Schleswig-Holstein iGaming licenses. There was some doubt as to whether more licenses would be issued amid the confusion of a German high court ruling that the territory's position on gaming is in violation of the State Gaming Treaty.

Unibet Sportsbook confiscates winnings

A Unibet Sportsbook (SBR rating C) player claims his winnings have been confiscated. The player deposited €200 for a Christmas bonus promotion which offered a 25% bonus. The player increased his balance to €512 with a successful NFL wager on the Ravens vs Broncos. Unibet asked for and received ID documents. Unibet is then alleged to have closed the player's account.  | Read more

Unibet confiscates bet winnings and refunds deposit

A Unibet Sportsbook (SBR rating C) player submits an account dispute. The player tells SBR that he deposited €200 on December 17th, and placed one bet for €140. A day later the player claims Unibet closed his account, refunded the deposit, and seized €119 in bet winnings. SBR is investigating this Unibet claim.  | Read more

Unibet Sportsbook downgraded

On November 12th, SBR reported that a Unibet Sportsbook player had €10,000 confiscated. Unibet only acknowledged the player by quoting a section of their terms and conditions which specifically authorise the act of closing a player's account and providing no explanation whatsoever.  | Read more

Rating Change: Unibet

Unibet Sportsbook downgraded from B- to C

Online Sportsbooks industry video news report

SBR news anchor Natalie Rydström and dispute analyst Justin7 give an SBR Industry News update for Tuesday November 13th, 2012. Today's main topic is the outstanding Unibet Sportsbook confiscation reported by SBR this week, as well as other recently published items from the SportsbookReview newswire.

Unibet Sportsbook seizes €10K balance without giving explanation

A Unibet Sportsbook (SBR rating B-) player claims that his €10,000 balance was seized. The player states that no specific reason was given the sportsbook for the funds confiscation, save from an excerpt of their terms and conditions which allow the company to close an account "without any explanation whatsoever".  | Read more

BetUS, Unibet, YouWin and more sportsbook news

SBR analyst Natalie is joined by dispute analyst Justin in today's SBR Industry News video. The pair discuss the recent Bet770 bonus case resolutions, as well as outstanding sportsbook disputes against BetUS, Unibet, YouWin, and BetAtHome. Players with video feedback or commentary should write to VideoNews@SportsbookReview.com.  | Read more

Unibet player has €10,100 balance frozen

A Unibet (SBR rating B-) player submits an account dispute. The player deposited €3,800 on March 6th-7th, wagering on Champions League matches. The player's first two punts were successful, bringing his account balance up to €11,600. The player went on to successfully order payment of €1,500 via Moneybookers. Unibet later suspended the player's account.  | Read more

iGaming news video: Sportsbook.com US, Betway update

SBR news analyst Natalie Rydstrom discusses the latest iGaming industry news with dispute mediator Justin7. In today's video piece, a Sportsbook.com US Kentucky wagering dispute is discussed; a Unibet futures wagers migration issue, as well as an update from the Betway bonus confiscation cases. SBR Justin7 also weighs in on a sportsbook dispute involving Betsson (SBR rating C+).  | Read more

Unibet not honouring Bet24 players' future wagers?

On April 12th, 2012, SBR reported that Unibet (SBR rating B-) agreed to acquire Bet24 (SBR rating C). Unibet spent €13.5 million on the acquisition. As part of the deal, a few dozen Bet24 employees were transferred over to Unibet. A Bet24 player wrote SBR stating that his future bets will not be migrated over to the Unibet platform.   | Read more

Facebook, BetFair, Unibet SBR Industry News w/ Natalie Rydstrom

SBR analyst Natalie reports on the latest iGaming industry news. During today's segment, Natalie is joined by SBR dispute mediator and legal mind "Justin7". Read the full video transcript.
 | Read more

Unibet agrees to acquire Bet24

Unibet (SBR rating B-) signed an agreement Wednesday to acquire Nordic Betting Ltd, operator of Bet24 (SBR rating C). As part of the €13.5 million acquisition, a few dozen Bet24 employees will be transferred to Unibet's Maltese headquarters. The deal is still subject to regulatory approval, which is expected to take place within the next two months. Nordic Betting Ltd's gross revenue for 2011 was reportedly €10.5 million. Unibet, listed on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm, has been in operation since 1997.

Unibet to acquire Betchoice

Unibet (SBR rating B-) Sportsbook has signed an agreement to acquire Betchoice. Unibet will enter the regulated Australian betting market. Unibet's acquisition price is £13.6 million; the deal, which transfers 100% of Betchoice Corporation Pty Ltd.'s shares, is said not to contain any liabilities. Completion of the deal is still subject to approval by the Northern Territory regulator; this process is expected to be completed before the end of Q2 2012.

Unibet intends to completely rebrand BetChoice to Unibet following what they refer to as a "short transition period". Unibet CEO Henrik Tjärnström spoke of the acquisition in an official company press release distributed this morning.

[quote]Unibet CEO Henrik Tjärnström: “This strategic acquisition gives Unibet immediate access to the regulated Australian market, which is currently open to sports betting and horse racing. We intend to rebrand the business quickly to Unibet. Betchoice already has a strong offering and market position in horse racing and through Kambi, Unibet has the opportunity to enhance the quality and performance of Betchoice’s sports betting offering and so to deliver revenue growth and margin improvements... In addition to benefit from the already existing Australian product offering, the acquisition of Betchoice will provide Unibet with a platform to facilitate other gambling services and opportunities should market conditions continue to improve.”[/quote]
SBR expects Unibet to refine its standards of enforcing house rules as they enter a regulated Australian market. Though Unibet is licensed by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) of Malta; SBR has found that operators prefer Malta for its lax positions on player disputes and the ease of setting up shop. Unibet's operating procedure has until this point been to cut off communications with a player determined to be in violation of house rules, and has not been willing to fully satisfy SBR's inquiries in regards to player confiscations, such as in this sportsbook dispute reported in December of 2011.

SBR will attempt to revisit outstanding claims with Unibet, hoping that the company's recent good news will compel it to more satisfactorily address player disputes. | Read the full Unibet press release  | Read more

Unibet confiscates €600 from player

A Unibet (SBR rating B-) player claims that his account has been closed and a balance of €600 confiscated.  The player states that he provided all documents requested of him and believed his account to be cleared for payments. The player states that Unibet has refused to share with him what violation he has made to warrant the removal of his balance. On November 20th, SBR reported that Unibet disabled two unrelated player accounts without providing a reason for doing so. SBR asks Unibet players with feedback are asked to write to help@sportsbookreview.com.

Unibet player has account disabled

A Unibet (SBR rating B-) player tells SBR that his account has been disabled. The player states that although his account was verified in July, Unibet asked him to provide a bank statement earlier this month. The player tells SBR that after sending the required document, Unibet closed the player's account and indicated that only his balance would be paid to him. The player says his last communication from Unibet was two weeks ago. The balance in the account was €685, with half of the funds coming from a Moneybookers deposit. The player noted that in his last communication with Unibet, it was stated the funds must be paid via bank transfer.

On October 5th, SBR reported that Unibet disabled two other player accounts. In both of those cases, players report that documents were provided to verify their accounts but the documents were ultimately determined to be unacceptable by Unibet.

Unibet players with feedback are asked to write to help@sportsbookreview.com.

Unibet Sportsbook disables two player accounts

A Unibet (SBR rating B-) player tells SBR that his account has been disabled. The player requested a withdrawal of $150 on September 8th, 2011. He allegedly provided Unibet with a copy of his passport and other documents to verify his identity. Since providing the requested documentation, the player's account has been blocked and no further word has been given from Unibet.

A second Unibet player wrote to SBR  stating that he registered with Unibet sportsbook on August 31st, 2011. The player claims to have submitted all required documents in order to clear his account for payments, when suddenly and without word Unibet blocked his account and prevented him from accessing his funds. SBR is following up with this player to determine his deposit amount and balance history.

SBR will update this report.  | Read more

Rating Change: Unibet

Unibet downgraded from B to B-

Unibet wagering dispute

A Unibet (SBR rating B-) player claims that three soccer wagers were canceled 24 hours after the event. The player wagered a Gold Cup soccer match between Cuba and Mexico.

The player tells SBR that he placed three wagers on Cuba under 0.5 goals for $1000 each. The player alleges that two bets were priced at 2.1 whilst the remaining wager was 2.05. He points out that Sportingbet offered odds of 2.0 at the time, suggesting that the odds were in fact in-market. 

SBR is following up on this Unibet sportsbook complaint. | Unibet account complaints  | Read more

Unibet player claims account is hacked

A Unibet (SBR rating B) player says his account has been hacked. The player tells SBR that €6,000 was transfered to Unibet's poker room and lost via chip-dumping. | Unibet dispute  | Read more

Unibet disables another bettor's account

Following SBR's Unibet (SBR rating B) report on February 22nd, a new sportsbook complaint has been filed. A Unibet player who opened his account in late 2010 has had his account disabled for three weeks with no update from the sportsbook. The player's balance sits at €20,000. | Unibet player complaint
 | Read more

Unibet account closure complaint

A Unibet (sportsbook rating B) player submits an account closure complaint. The player tells SBR that his account, which held €2,500 plus pending bets has been closed by Unibet without clear word on what the player was guilty of. | Unibet sportsbook complaint  | Read more

Unibet player reports that funds were seized

A Unibet (SBR rating B) player reports that he had €455 seized. On October 19th, Unibet closed his account and paid him €2682. His balance at the time was €3137. When the player asked about the missing €455, he was told that no customer service was currently available in Portugese. Unibet has not elaborated on the case to the player or SBR to date. On November 5th, SBR reported that Unibet seized $905 without providing a reason. As a result of Unibet's handling of accounts, Unibet was downgraded by SBR on November 3rd.

Unibet seizes $905 from player

Unibet (SBR rating B) seizes $905 from player. In early October, the player requested an $850 withdrawal. Unibet requested ID documents, which the player provided. Three weeks later, Unibet denied his withdrawal, seized his balance, and sent the following cryptic explanation:

Unibet: [quote]Rule  2.3 Unibet reserves the right, at its own discretion, at all times, to: Decline to open a Unibet Account and/or to close an existing Unibet Account, without any explanation whatsoever.[/quote]
Unibet's rule allows it to seize any winning player's balance with no explanation. As a result of Unibet's handling of account, Unibet was downgraded by SBR on November 3rd.

Rating Change: Unibet

Unibet downgraded from B+ to B

Unibet's handling of player balances

Unibet (SBR rating B) update. SBR reported on 3 sportsbook complaints this month where players alleged that their balances were seized. Unibet offered no explanation to the players, and did not provide SBR evidence to justify its actions. Unibet's refusal to explain its actions denies the players a chance to challenge Unibet's conclusions. In the event that an error is made in identifying a fraudulent user, players would be at the mercy of the sportsbook's ruling. SBR has downgraded Unibet from its mark of B+.

Unibet seizes €1200 balance from player

Unibet (SBR rating B+) has seized a player's €1200 balance. The player deposited €400 in late August and received a €100 bonus. In the following two months of play, he increased his balance to more than €20,000.  After providing proof of address & other ID, Unibet paid the player €18,000 through Moneybookers. Although reduced limits were imposed on the player, he continued to play with Unibet and lost €1000 through normal play before Unibet closed his account with a balance of €1200. He claims that Unibet accused him of being a "price trader" and that he would not be paid the rest of his funds.

On 10/29, SBR reported that Unibet closed a player's account & confiscated a €600 balance. Unibet has not provided comment to SBR on this case yet.

Unibet closes player account and confiscates funds

Unibet (SBR rating B+) complaint. A Unibet player with a balance of €600 had his account suspended and was asked to send in bank details to confirm his identity. After complying with Unibet's request, the player states that his account was reopened and he was told he could resume play as normal. However, after making a withdrawal request the player claims his account was again disabled and he was told that his balance would not be paid. SBR is following up on this complaint.

Unibet closes player account and confiscates funds

Unibet (SBR rating B+) has permanently closed a player's account which held a €1005 balance. The player deposited €500 and increased his balance to €1005 after 2 months of play. Upon making a withdrawal request, Unibet blocked the account and requested proof of ID. The player complied and made all documents requested available to Unibet. However, Unibet did not reinstate the account and informed the player his account would remain closed forever. In a similar complaint which SBR is also investigating, the same circumstances apply and Unibet was equally as tight-lipped to the player regarding their reason for shutting down the account.

Player:
[quote]Tell me the rule, that I have broken, please?[/quote]
Unibet:
[quote]Unibet does not need to explain its decisions.[/quote]
Unibet: [quote]2.3Unibet reserves the right, at its own discretion, at all times, to:  Decline to open a Unibet Account and/or to close an existing Unibet Account, without any explanation whatsoever.[/quote]

Unibet account closure dispute - update

Unibet (SBR rating B+) has paid the player from SBR's June 7th sportsbook complaint. Following SBR's inquiry with Unibet, the player received his €710.44 balance via bank wire.

Unibet player: [quote]Thank you so much! I just checked my account and the money are there. I think they never gonna pay me without your help![/quote]

Unibet account closure dispute - funds not returned

A Unibet (SBR rating B+) account closure complaint has been received. On March 24th a player alleges that Unibet closed his account which held a €710.44 balance. Unibet requested the player confirm his Moneybookers and bank account information prior to sending his funds. Unibet made no indication as to why the account was closed and whether or not just his deposit would be returned or the entirety of his balance. This is the second outstanding complaint of Unibet closing a player's account without making a payment to the player. SBR is following up with Unibet.

Unibet sportsbook complaint update

The Unibet (SBR rating B+) sportsbook complaint from SBR's February 26th report remains unresolved. A player opened a second account on February 9th and deposited €300. Unibet discovered the multiple account violation and closed the account. The deposit has still not been returned to Moneybookers.

Unibet complaint

A Unibet (SBR rating B+) player admits to opening a second account on February 9th and funding it with €300. Unibet discovered the multiple account violation and closed the account. The player has claimed that his deposit has not yet been returned to Moneybookers. SBR has written Unibet to inquire if the deposit was in fact refunded.

Rating Change: Unibet

Unibet - SBR initiates rating coverage at B+

Unibet enters SBR Ratig Guide at B+