Guys, careful with SBG and Sports-Gambling!

[Bill Dozer]

I see SBG is spending big on advertising this season.

This comany "bailed" out players (packages were moved to S-G) from SunsetSports, then stiffed them again... the "sharp players" that is. They stiffed a player for $10,500 in DEPOSIT cash because they say he was told not to play in a sister site for being sharp.

[bigboydan]

not sure if it's true or not, but somebody told me that a certain forum we all know just took them on as an advertiser just recently.

[Bill Dozer]

Yes, it's hanging. Unfortunately, the odds are that an RX poster will be stiffed. SBG is very greedy and takes it personal when a player beats them. As usually is the case when these places first buy in, they will be wearing halos. Later... they will try to maximize their investment.

[Chuck Sims]

The RX could not have found a more exemplary replacement for BetOnSports than SBG Global. Will it do any good to tell people to stay far away from these scamming thieves?

[SBR_John]

My favorite infamous SBG story is when they brought a programmer down from the states because they were in a desperate pinch. The programmer agreed to come for $5k a week. When he finished, 3 weeks later, he presented them with a bill for $15k. SBG had their thugs drag this poor programmer out in front of the clerks to show them his near-death beating. They justified it by saying he was trying to gouge them. BOS's Kaplan and Royal and BetUS are truly thugs and dangerous but SBG will have you beaten or even killed. If they stiff you, just walk away.

[isetcap]

My favorite infamous SBG story is when they brought a programmer down from the states because they were in a desperate pinch. The programmer agreed to come for $5k a month. When he finished, 3 weeks later, he presented them with a bill for $15k. SBG had their thugs drag this poor programmer out in front of the clerks to show them his near-death beating. They justified it by saying he was trying to gouge them. BOS's Kaplan and Royal and BetUS are truly thugs and dangerous but SBG will have you beaten or even killed. If they stiff you, just walk away.

If I hired a programmer at $5K a month and he charged me $15K for 3 weeks, I might consider beating him also.

[TheGambler]

What books are associated with this group?

[bigboydan]

What books are associated with this group?

SBGglobal and Sports-Gambling...and they both have an SBR rating of a "D"

[TLD]

As so many sites sink lower and lower in the quest for advertisers, I’m curious if their other books care who else advertises with them? That is, when The Greek, Bowmans, WSEX, etc. look at a site and see BOS, SBG Global, Betus, Royal (and no doubt ESB is right around the corner) at the top of the page, are they less inclined to advertise there? Do they try to avoid being associated in that way with known crooked and shaky books?

Also, do the advertising rates change for the worst books? Let’s say one of these sites is negotiating with two books: SBG Global and another book about the same in all relevant respects except that it doesn’t have a poor reputation based on track record. Does SBG Global have to pay more for the same advertising, on the grounds that “Hey we’re going to take a lot of guff from our posters if we take you on, so you better make it worth our while”?

For that matter, does it affect moderator pay? If you take on the BOS type books, you’re going to have to do a lot more lying and spinning and evading in response to poster questions and complaints. It’s sad watching some of these moderators reduced to an almost Raiders shill-like level as they seek to defend the indefensible. I only hope for their sake they’re being well-compensated with conscience-overcoming bonuses.

[tacomax]

Does SBG Global have to pay more for the same advertising, on the grounds that “Hey we’re going to take a lot of guff from our posters if we take you on, so you better make it worth our while”?

I'm pretty sure that's going to be the case - a crap book is going to have to pay bigger bucks to advertise on sites. Also, since they're probably known as a crap book, they're going to have to offer bigger incentives (bonuses etc.) to people to play there. Larger outgoings like this cause a shaky business before they even get started, increasing the liklihood that they'll have to start stiffing to pay the rent.

[JoshW]

Well written TLD. If these "watchdogs" who don't already have standards want to keep their present revenues they are going to have to take on some horrible books to make up for the almost a dozen possible books they lost with BOS.

[Illusion]

SBG Global (SBR rating D) gives player back amount he deposited, $10,500 of $28,821 balance
Management tells SBR the total balance of $28,821 was originally confiscated six months ago because the user had an account with the company’s other sportsbook, Sports-Gambling.com, where he gave "professional action". This player wagered at SBG Global for two months, meeting his bonus rollover requirement. In that time the account was reviewed resulting in a reduction in betting limits. SBG purchased Sports-Gambling in March of 2005, after the player was asked to leave Sports-Gambling. SBG states they will keep the player’s $18,321 in winnings.

[crackerjack]

SBG states they will keep the player’s $18,321 in winnings.

Unless a player was doing something illegal, to me this is just wrong. How can a book just arbitrarily decide to confiscate a player's winnings? Man, that reeks. Even the Vegas casinos won't confiscate the blackjack winnings of those they decide are card counters.

[JoshW]

Playing at these "bigger" high risk books is more trouble than it is worth with BOS like risks, plus things like this.

[scottyy11]

heard this site is run by the mob, some employees claim they were beaten, wud stay far away from them and their poker site pokerhost

[Bill Dozer]

Unless a player was doing something illegal, to me this is just wrong. How can a book just arbitrarily decide to confiscate a player's winnings? Man, that reeks. Even the Vegas casinos won't confiscate the blackjack winnings of those they decide are card counters.

Yea, he played for two months and never had a chance at a dollar.

[SBR_John]

heard this site is run by the mob, some employees claim they were beaten, wud stay far away from them and their poker site pokerhost

I think these are more mob wannabe's than the real thing. But I could be wrong. Small players are OK but even they report the service is terrible.

[Santo]

Why don't you refer the player to TheRX to test their new business relationship?

[SBR_John]

Why don't you refer the player to TheRX to test their new business relationship?

Why? Has something changed? They tried to help when their top sponsor BetOnSports ripped off a few players. Their mods agreed the players were ripped off but BetOnSports held that they ripped the players off fair and square and TheRx mgmt stood proudly behind their Platinum amigos and even foolishly offered a guarantee.

Talk is cheap. This is another of many players ripped off by SBG. I like the guys at TheRx but if anyone really thinks TheRx is going to help collect from a stiff book that pays theRx to advertise, then I got some very nice ocean front property in Arizona for them.

[Santo]

Rick (former Don Best guy) says he's contacted SBG to investigate, and "I like the guys at SBR, so I don’t want to make this a site-to-site issue. I feel it is best if we are contacted directly by customers." He is new to TheRX, so maybe deserves some benefit of doubt.

Surely there's a better chance if you refer him to TheRX than if you don't, even if it's only 0.1% better.

[Brick Tamland]

if i get ass romped the last place im goin is to a place were the book advertises. my case is over before i hit send on the email. its not like the rx is running a sportsbook rehab. they are selling a scam

[Santo]

So if you had a problem with CRIS, DSI, Bet365, WSEX, Bodog etc.. etc.. you wouldn't go to SBR?

[Brick Tamland]

i didnt think of that

[Santo]

TheRX: "so they ultimately refunded his FULL 20k DEPOSIT, not 10.5 as reported"

[Bill Dozer]

TheRX: "so they ultimately refunded his FULL 20k DEPOSIT, not 10.5 as reported"

Yes, that would be accurate when looking at the life of the account.

The player took a payout of $10,000 from this balance. $28.821 was left and subsequently frozen for about 6 months. They finally agreed to give him another $10,500 which equals the total amount deposited.

Two months, Two 10k payouts, and a reduction in betting limits later...they stiff him for his winnings of $18,500.

[tacomax]

TheRX: "so they ultimately refunded his FULL 20k DEPOSIT, not 10.5 as reported"

So instead of doing anything constructive to help the player, they're trying to dispute SBR's reported figures. Nice.

[Bill Dozer]

Figures will always be based on what was stated by the book and player. If it was one-sided, we would have said something like "the player claims that..."

The SBG ad there might be a very good thing for this player. Hopefully they want to protect their investment and are willing to keep talking.

[Justin7]

Be afraid of a book that offers promotions too good to be true.

Ace's Gold let players buy onto/off the 3 for 10 cents a half. They're gone.

BoS group had 2-team 6-pt teasers at +100 and 7-1 3-team parlays. They're gone (although you can argue what the final killing blow was). Note that nearly every other book has gotten rid of these type promotions.

SBG has 3-team 6-pt teasers at +200. This is better than 2-teamers at +100. I would advise against playing at ANY book that has promotions this easy to beat. Add to that their track-record, I'd say you're crazy if you play there.

Justin

[Chuck Sims]

Justin7, offering 2-team 6 pt. teasers at ev did not sink BOS. In fact, that offer was a rip-off for players because they ruled push-loss a "loss". Vegas rules grades it "no action".

There is no arguement what sunk BOS. They were a house of cards ponzi scheme that collapsed the day the deposit money stopped flowing in. False advertising and stiffing players was a pretty good indicator that this place was crooked.

SBG Global are CROOKS. The 3 team parlays at 7-1, large bonuses, phony football contests offering a free corvette that they made sure nobody won is all a come on to get people to send the cash.

[imgv94]

Chuck Sims is one of the most respected posters in the forum
world. His name was mentioned constantly at therx bash this
weekend for his remarkable knowledge of the business and his
record for spotting crooked books before most others. Do not
take what he says lightly. He is the man!!

[tacomax]

There is no arguement what sunk BOS. They were a house of cards ponzi scheme that collapsed the day the deposit money stopped flowing in. False advertising and stiffing players was a pretty good indicator that this place was crooked.

Is that what really caused the issues at BoS? C'mon, think about it.

[Justin7]

Justin7, offering 2-team 6 pt. teasers at ev did not sink BOS. In fact, that offer was a rip-off for players because they ruled push-loss a "loss". Vegas rules grades it "no action".

There is no arguement what sunk BOS. They were a house of cards ponzi scheme that collapsed the day the deposit money stopped flowing in. False advertising and stiffing players was a pretty good indicator that this place was crooked.

SBG Global are CROOKS. The 3 team parlays at 7-1, large bonuses, phony football contests offering a free corvette that they made sure nobody won is all a come on to get people to send the cash.

Teasers... I know several sharps who were BURYING that group (50k+ on teasers each year, lesser amount on parlays). One account would get shut down, they'd come in under another name. The amount of money they sucked out of that family was scarey.

sure, BoS had other problems as well. I can't tell which one cost them the most. But one rule you should remember for all books: if they offer an unrestricted promotion with big -EV for the book, sharps will destroy them.

Regarding push-tie... About 75% of books use the "loss-tie =loss" rule. Less than 2% of "wise-guy" teasers push. If that is a concern, you can play 3-team teasers at +180, which reduce. The bad rule might lower a 2-team teaser's EV from 16 to 15.5%. The rule is slightly annoying, but no roadblock for professional players.

[SBR_John]

SBG Global are CROOKS. The 3 team parlays at 7-1, large bonuses, phony football contests offering a free corvette that they made sure nobody won is all a come on to get people to send the cash.

Yes they have been accused of phony contests but the free corvette was Royal's phony contest while Roberto was there right? Unless SBG had one too???

[Patrick McIrish]

Yes they have been accused of phony contests but the free corvette was Royal's phony contest while Roberto was there right? Unless SBG had one too???

SBG had one too. They even had an ex-employee talking about it once over on RX I believe it was. Even knew the color of the nonexistant car, it was a "red" Corvette they were always giving away, LOL.

[bigboydan]

I guess this is how they pay there advertising bills

11.08.2006 (10:58 PM CST)

SBG Global (SBR rating D-) confiscates $56,660 before paying a take-it-or-leave-it "settlement" in the amount of $21,000. The account was opened with $800 by a woman who won $50,000 in the casino then withdrew $15,000. The woman’s husband verified with SBG Global that he was eligible to place wagers on the account before losing bets on sporting events bringing the balance down to $15,000. The following weekend he won wagers on college football and week 4 of the NFL, bringing the balance from $15,000 to $56,660. SBG zeroed out the account the following Monday morning, claiming the husband was not allowed to wager under the account. After the account holder filed the complaint with SBR, SBG altered the wording of the rules regarding third party account access.


Original text:

In the event that a third party places a bet or is thought to have placed a bet, said bet shall be valid, whether or not the alleged third party had the prior consent or knowledge of the customer. Under no circumstances will any bet be cancelled for that reason.



Post-confiscation text:
(iii) You shall not allow any third party to use your account, password or identity to access or use the Service or the Software and you shall be responsible for any activities undertaken on your account by a third party. You will not reveal your user name or password to any person or use any other person’s account, password, identity or means of payment to access or use the Service or the Software.

Notes:SBGglobal collected a copy of the couple’s marriage certificate and identification documents, originally stating that once proof of identity was provided the full balance would be paid. Management admits to knowing both husband and wife were using the account before the balance peaked at $56,660. The husband also held a losing account at SBG which has been dormant for months, with a zero balance and is in good standing. SBG allows for multiple users per household.