SBR review: WagerFree

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WagerFree (SBR rating F-)

conman, Garet Bradford pleads guilty to one category B felony count for unlicensed gaming activities. Sentencing is scheduled for October 12th at 9:00 a.m.
SBR’s coverage of US-based scam sportsbook.

WagerFree (SBR rating F-) criminal case update:

Arraignment for scam artist, Garet Bradford to proceed August 31st.

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

Former WagerFree (SBR rating F-) owner, Garet Bradford, to be arraigned in Washoe County, Nevada Court on Friday, July 14th. Mr. Bradford is facing one felony count of operating a gaming establishment without a license. WagerFree victims can follow court proceedings here.

SBR Bill Dozer reports: WagerFree’s Garet Bradford extradited back to Reno Nevada

Garet faces two category B felony counts (Case No. RCR 2006-026300) brought by The Nevada Gaming Control Board for unlicensed gambling activity. Victims of the deposit-only sportsbook can follow the case,  which is public record, once court room proceedings begin at http://www.washoecourts.com/. Garet is expected to be arraigned shortly at the Second Judicial Court of Washoe County. Players are hopeful that the court will order the former WagerFree(SBR rating F-) operator to pay restitution.

WagerFree(SBR rating F-) thief Garet Bradford Arrested

It has been confirmed that Garet Bradford was apprehended by the Nevada Gaming Commission and is currently in custody.

SBR Bill Dozer reports: WagerFree(SBR rating F-)

owner makes final attempt to lessen severity of charges before impending arrest. Garet would like owed players to email him at wagerfree@yahoo.com with amounts owed.

Garet Bradford: "if and when you talk to the commish. let them know that anyone that wants to be paid need to make a request to this e-mail with there user name and password (from wagerfree) and the amount they are owed by march 1 so they can be set up on a payment plan. thanks"

This is likely a futile attempt to avoid the fallout of running a scam sportsbook within the US. Mr. Bradford has been quoted multiple times as saying he is bankrupt and does not have player funds.

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

Arrest warrant issued for WagerFree(SBR rating F-) thief, Garet Bradford. Players eagerly await opportunity to initiate civil case which will be supported by charges brought by the state of Nevada.

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

Largest US-based online sportsbook scam, WagerFree(SBR rating F-), finally off-line. Nevada authorities have been investigating owner, Mr. Garet Bradford for fraudulent business practices and operating a gaming establishment without a license. Mr. Bradford’s elaborate con was able to survive for almost two years with the help of his lawyers who challenged authorities to prove that he was anything more than a Nevada-based hosting company for a peer-to-peer betting "club". It is unclear at this time if charges have been filed by the state or if Garet succumbed to the pressure of the investigation and angry victims. If and when charges are filed, SBR will support victims who choose to proceed with a class action lawsuit.

SBR Bill Dozer reports: Reno, Nevada-based WagerFree(SBR rating F-) scam to cease operating?

Garet Bradford, the subject of an investigation by the Nevada Gaming Commission, tells players he will be closing his operation on December 7th if he does not receive funds from "investors". Garet claims his "business" will file bankruptcy, which will protect him from his debt to victims. However, WagerFree, L.L.C.’s business license was revoked on 12/1/2004. Players and SBR have contributed to the investigation against Mr. Bradford, which is likely responsible for WagerFree’s forecasted closure. One local player who has visited state authorities, reports receiving a partial refund of his balance.

Note: SBR does not condone personal threats when settling fraudulent business complaints. Players with a complaint should contact their local authorities as well as the Nevada Gaming Control Board at (775) 823-7250.

Sportsbook Review used as a source by the Wall Street Journal about WagerFree (SBR rating F-):

August 19, 2005
  
E-COMMERCE/MEDIA

Wagering Site Takes a Gamble
On Operating From the U.S.

By DAVID KESMODEL
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE
August 19, 2005

Complaints about WagerFree.com began surfacing on the Internet last
year. SportsbookReview, a Web site that rates Internet sports books and
purports to warn bettors about sites that don’t properly pay winnings,
has collected reports from bettors who say they weren’t paid by the
site.

Ed Hunt, an occasional sports bettor in Texas, said he was drawn to
WagerFree.com because of its pledges of "juice-free" wagering. At a
traditional sports book, a person wanting to bet $100 on the outcome of,
say, a football game would also have to put up juice, also known as
vigorish, of 10%. So, if the bettor lost, he would lose $110. If he won,
he would get back his $110, and win $100.

Mr. Hunt said he is owed $1,000 by WagerFree.com. About $600 is for
winnings on the site, he said, and $400 is from a deposit he made to his
account. Mr. Hunt, who bet on football, baseball and other sports, said
he requested the $1,000 from Mr. Bradford last November. He said he
eventually received a check, in late February or early March of this
year, and it was dated for April. A handwritten note sent with the check
said, "Your checks have been post-dated for April 6. We are under
reorganization. Thanks for your patience." But when he went to a bank to
cash it, he was told WagerFree.com had stopped payment. He has tried to
get Mr. Bradford to send him a new check, but said Mr. Bradford no
longer responds to his calls.

Two other WagerFree.com customers contacted by the Online Journal also
said they were owed money by the site.

In an initial interview about WagerFree.com, Mr. Bradford said all
bettors had been paid the money they were owed. Later, after he was
asked to comment on specific

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

SBR speaking with Reno, Nevada officials regarding the dismantling of WagerFree (SBR rating F-). SBR is also consulting with Nevada-based attorneys specializing in fraudulent companies in an attempt to assist players in recovering assets. Victims of WagerFree are hopeful that this group initiative will prevent others from being taken by these thieves.

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

The following email was sent to WagerFree (SBR rating F-) victims:

Hello,
You have received this email because you have reported being victimized by US-based internet scam WagerFree.com. Many of you have inquired about reaching other players to discuss potential legal action, and some may have already began taking action.
 
Recipient’s email addresses have been hidden. Each person who would like to be included on this somewhat public email list should reply with their name and preferred email address. You will then be able to communicate with this new list by selecting the "reply to all" button on your email client.
 
Having contacts with other victims may help the progress and development of any class action lawsuits as well as reduce legal costs. Some players are holding valuable documentation such as credit card statements. SportsbookReview will assist in any way possible in regards to providing information and documentation.
 
I am hopeful that those of you who have voiced your intent to pursue legal action will succeed. I am also hopeful that this "sportsbook", that makes no effort to hide its illegal activity within the United States, will be shut down in part due to your efforts.
 
Best,
Bill Dozer
SportsbookReview
830-255-4677

Those who would like to be in contact with other players should forward their name and email address to Assistance@SportsbookReview.com.

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

Wagerfree (SBR rating F-) canceling checks issued to winning bettors. Players are preparing to take legal action against this Nevada-based online sportsbook and are currently communicating via email. Victims who would like to join this group should write to assistance@sportsbookreview.com.

Bill Dozer reports:

Garet Bradford still managing to run internet sportsbook scam WagerFree (SBR rating F-) out of Nevada. Today a new victim reports his balance of $3000 has been confiscated. Many players are exploring legal action against Garet and advertising radio station, KPLY 1230.

Cheated players who would like to be on an email exchange list with other victims should contact SBR.

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

The end of the NFL season results in a new batch of no-pay complaints against Garet Bradford and his Nevada-based online sportsbook, Wagerfree (SBR rating F-). This book continues to operate illegally, targeting players with the help of Nevada’s sports radio station, KPLY and show host ‘Bob D’.

“Hello, I opened a $1500 account with Wagerfree in August of 2004. I ran my account to $7500. I was sent a check for $2500 drawn on a reputable bank Nov 1. The check does not clear and Garet Bradford will not make good. I have another friend who has lost $1500. I even turned this guy in to the Nevada Gaming Commission and they have done nothing.
Any thoughts?   -XXX”

"Dear Bill,   Garet Bradford is skilled at giving people false hope.  He strung me along for months saying he was working with new financial backers to pay me and everyone else off. Then just when I was ready to give up hope entirely, he (shockingly) sent me a $200 check 3 weeks ago.  Even more shockingly, the check was good. Garet had previously sent a $2,000 check that bounced. 
Garet still owes me $1800, I had offered to take half the money ($1,000) and call it even, but since all he did was come up with $200, I feel like I should go ahead and press charges.  
Thank you again for your help.  You can be assured I will check in with your great service before I ever invest in any cyber sports books again.  Take care, XXXX"

PRWEB issues press release of interview with SBR's Bill Dozer exposing the Wagerfree scam.

"Online Gambler Gets Hit for a Very Expensive Free Wager"

SCAM ALERT:

Garet Bradford continues to scam players using his Nevada-based betting exchange WagerFree (SBR rating F-). He attracts his victims by promoting juice-free wagering at the cost of a small club fee. When players win, he will offer an array of excuses of why he can not pay, ranging from fraudulent player activity to claiming that the player on the opposite side of the wager exchange did not pay. SBR believes it is only a matter of time before US authorities catch up with this crook as lawsuits pile up. The latest player is being stiffed for $28,600.

SBR Bill Dozer reports:

WagerFree.com (SBR Rating F-) steals $13650 from player account. SBR warns players of this scam operation run out of Nevada. The Operation Manager of this shop, Garet Bradford, has shown total disregard towards the multiple complaints made by various offshore industry authorities on this case.