my problem with The Greek

[gi44ev]

Hi, before 1 week I sent e-mail to Sportsbook Review, but nothing hapens. I hope that you will see it here and I think that all visitors here must know what did from The Greek - A -rated sportsbook

Hi,
My name is Georgi Gichev and I am from Bulgaria.
I turn to you, because I know that you help people like me, having problems with their bookmakers. I hope you can assist me somehow in my case, because I am confident that the justice is on my side and I believe that these bookies (or their employees) shoudn't be left uncontrolled to override their own rules and to ignore their customers' opinion, especially when they are right and this could be proved.
Here is a short description of my case so you can judge for yourselves if my demands are rightful.

3 years ago I have opened an account in one of your highest rated bookmakers - The Greek. Until 1st of April 2007 I have not had any problems with them. Last Sunday about 7:00 GMT I have put 500$ on a match from Belgium 2nd Division. My selection was Asian Handicap Oostende + ½. The odds were 1.95 (decimal). The bet was accepted as always. I do not know if the bookmaker corrected his odds later, but my bet was standing as was when the event has started (14:00 GMT), meaning that about 8 hours after I have placed my bet, it was there unchanged by the bookmaker. At 14:40, 40 minutes after the event started, the Greek are canceling my bet, which later turns out to be a winner. Here is their explanation:
"Dear Customer,

This e-mail serves to inform you that your wager/s taken on Belgium 2e Klass - Oostende has been cancelled due to the following reason:

Inverted lines posted at -135/+115; should have been +115/-135"

According to the bookmaker's rules, all bets on events that have started cannot be changed anymore. I quote my bet reciept:

"Always Review Wagers and make sure bet was placed properly.
Errors must be reported IMMEDIATELY!
All wagers are final once an event begins"

I have contacted their support by e-mail and have told them that I disagree what they did and that according to their rules they cannot cancel my bet after the event's start. I have quoted the last line:

"All wagers are final once an event begins"

They have answered me that they were very sorry that they could not void the bet before the start, instead in the 40-th minute, but the situation they see as an "obvious error" and what they have done was the most fair thing to do. The odds I had in my bet and the ones quoted later by The Greek as the right ones differ only with 0.20 (decimal), so I think it is ridiculous to claim this to be an obvious error. I have written them a new mail, explaining again the above and adding that voiding my bet, they have also deprived me from the right to select an outcome to bet on and that I would have bet on it even with the reduced odds. I have offered a compromising solution - to pay me by the reduced odds. I have also told them that if we do not come to an agreement, I will contract you for assistance. The answer I got was exactly as I will quote it:

"And under the rules we state we will cancel the wager if it is an obvious
line error.

Wally"

By my opinion, actions like these from a high rated bookmaker like the Greek are unacceptable. I hope you will take my side and help me to solve this problem.

[jjgold]

It was an obvious error

you have no case

[crackerjack]

Sorry bro...it happens occasionally. Books have the right to do this when they make an obvious error. You were on the right side of this game but had you picked the losing side, your bet would have been refunded as well...

Did you know it was a bad line when you placed the bet?

[gi44ev]

I don't think that differ with 0.20 is obvious error.
The other question is why they wait more than 7 hours and cancel my bet 40 minutes after the event started.

[Dark Horse]

It happens and you have no case. But I'm starting to think the Greek needs to keep a better eye on their lines, because this is the second mistake we've heard of in the past month or so. And that's just here! How many errors is a book allowed to make before it starts to affect their reputation?

[Ganchrow]

My selection was Asian Handicap Oostende + ½. The odds were 1.95 (decimal).

...

Inverted lines posted at -135/+115; should have been +115/-135

The odds on the side you wanted should have been -135 (1.7407), were posted at +115 (2.1500), but you bought it at 1.9500?

It may not be germane to the issue but I'm still trying to understand exactly what happened here.

[gi44ev]

Yes, I made my bet at 1,95
The odd quoted later by The Greek was 1,74.
The odds were not swapped.

[LT Profits]

The email you received from The Greek clearly states that the lines were inverted:

Inverted lines posted at -135/+115; should have been +115/-135

If that was true, then you indeed have no case.

However, you are saying that you placed you wager at 1.95, which is roughly equivalent to -105 correct? That would prove that this was not an inverted line, as you clearly did not get +115. Hmmm, strange goings on.

[Ganchrow]

Yes, I made my bet at 1,95
The odd quoted later by The Greek was 1,74.
The odds were not swapped.

So you're asserting that when the Greek wrote you saying, "Inverted lines posted at -135/+115; should have been +115/-135" they were mistaken?

Perhaps you should seek clarification from the Greek on this issue?

[gi44ev]

Yes, I am sure that I made my bet at 1,95
Look their lines - there is no 1,95

Inverted lines posted at -135/+115; should have been +115/-135

[sportsfanatic]

The Greek claims that OP got inverted lines 1.74<>2.15. OP says he got odds at 1.95. 0.2 difference is hardly an obvious error and where does 1.95 fit on the inverted line error explanation?

Weird case. OP, was your bet winning or losing at time of cancellation?

If neither, then the Greek probably made an honest mistake of not cancelling the bet sooner instead of after the match had started.

[ttmopp]

This particular game was +0.25 -105 on the Asian line. I suspect they just looked at it and posted incorrectly +0.5 -105.

Its a typical error there because they dont use the quarter handicaps at all, and a quarter happens to be worth about the 20 cents making the correct line indeed +0.5 -135.

So, the question is whether it was +115 or -105. Probably misscommunication between Greeks soccer dep and CS, maybe it wasn't inverted after all..

[noyb]

but, really guys, regardless of the details, i think you're too fast in taking the greek's side here.

first: to me +115 / -115 is not an obvious error, +500 / -500 is. altough you can expect a square bettor to differentiate a huge underdog from a big favourite, you cannot expect them to always understand when a +115 should be a -115. the only people, aside from the linesmakers who can be expected, are the sharps, who are usually barred from playing in the first place. pretty ironic.

second: it's awful bookie behaviour voiding a bet halfway into the match, after having had the time for EIGHT hours (!!!!) before the event even started.

both these these factors combined should persuade any bookie to pay out on the bet even though the line might have been in error, even more so if they are, like the Greek is, a bookie of very high reputation.

in my opinion, the greek is fully to blame, has really ****ed this case up and should correct this error at its own expense, and not at the expense of the player.

[sportsfanatic]

but, really guys, regardless of the details, i think you're too fast in taking the greek's side here.

first: to me +115 / -115 is not an obvious error, +500 / -500 is. altough you can expect a square bettor to differentiate a huge underdog from a big favourite, you cannot expect them to always understand when a +115 should be a -115. the only people, aside from the linesmakers who can be expected, are the sharps, who are usually barred from playing in the first place. pretty ironic.

second: it's awful bookie behaviour voiding a bet halfway into the match, after having had the time for EIGHT hours (!!!!) before the event even started.

both these these factors combined should persuade any bookie to pay out on the bet even though the line might have been in error, even more so if they are, like the Greek is, a bookie of very high reputation.

in my opinion, the greek is fully to blame, has really ****ed this case up and should correct this error at its own expense, and not at the expense of the player.

True. If the bettor doesn't check odds at other books I can see where they wouldn't know whether the line is in error or not. It's not that obvious. Probably only sharps line shop and could tell.

[kiwi]

By my opinion, actions like these from a high rated bookmaker like the Greek are unacceptable.

In my opinion too... The same happened to me, look here:

http://forum.sbrforum.com/players-talk/26311-thegreek-cancels-my-bet-after-start-time.html?highlight=kiwi

[gi44ev]

Guys,

Thanks for understanding, but unfortunatelly this is not helping me. After several letters to The Greek and no understanding from them I decided to turn to mr.Bill Dozer for assistance. I have sent him e-mail, discribing my case 8 days ago, but I still have no answer. My letter was sent to BillDozer@SportsbookReview.com and Assistance@SportsbookReview.com. I don't know why there is no answer. I am confident that I am right so I will not give up. I will be very gratefull if somebody can tell me how I can connect mr. Bill Dozer or anybody from his team.

[McBet]

similar experience

Hello all,
I saw this thread about your experiences with thegreek. I am a longtime customer of thegreek myself. I wonder why thegreek does not accept to let the bet valid with the correct, though lower odds.
Having noticed (luckily) wrong odds myself some weeks ago I will carefully watch the outcome of such complaints! In my view there should be a customeroriented solution
Regards,
McBet

[kiwi]

Guys,

I don't know why there is no answer.

Give Bill some time. I guess he has many complaints to handle and also must build his own opinion about the case first.

[Bill Dozer]

We will ask them about what was posted and will also revisit Kiwi's complaint.

Georgi,
We received what looks like your complaint an hour ago. Feel free to call, IM, or PM in the future.

In general, canceling a bet after having the ability to view the match in play is not acceptable. If the book finds the mistake after the game and can show a gross error, using the average or intended line is often a fair outcome. Going by what was described here with the bettor's team ahead, that may be the best potential resolution.

[acw]

The Greek being a stiff is something I know for quite some time now, so nothing new there, but what may have happened here is that the Greek took huge amounts on this Belgian match without properly monitoring it. Someone like halifax would say that a Bulgarian betting on a Belgian match simply has to be a scalper. I am more careful making those statements, but I do have no doubt that many will have picked up this match being out of line on some line service, so there must be many more victims like gi44ev.

Though wait a minute! Was this match out of line? gi44ev is claiming that he bet at different prices from what the Greek is "accusing" him of.

So when will the Greek finally get a decent downgrade?!

[gi44ev]

We will ask them about what was posted and will also revisit Kiwi's complain

Thanks Bill, with impatience I will wait your answer.

[gi44ev]

Bill, is there any result with your talks with The Greek ?

[jjgold]

I am curious what happened also here.

Books really have you by the balls, Greek is great but nothing like betting in Vegas.

[BigBollocks]

The Greek is one of two book families left that absolutely WILL NEVER steal from a player. They're still processing five figure transactions like clockwork.

[kiwi]

We will ask them about what was posted and will also revisit Kiwi's complaint.

Hi Bill, are there any news or any official statement of TheGreek concerning bets voided after start time?

[acw]

Bump for John!

[SBR_John]

I saw your post acw.Do you have some bad blood there from the past or something? I thought you were just venting.

[acw]

I saw your post acw.Do you have some bad blood there from the past or something?

No, but it is not the first time The Greek is doing something naughty. I told you in the past that as far as ratings go, you are the only one that I even look at and A+ for these guys is simply wrong.

[Bill Dozer]

Kiwi & Gi,

I still have to follow up with Wally and will give you guys a call when I get in the office in the AM.

[wmublows]

The Greek is one of two book families left that absolutely WILL NEVER steal from a player. They're still processing five figure transactions like clockwork.

I love when people make statements like this.

[gi44ev]

After 50 days The Greek paid my bet.
I would like to thank Bill and his team for the collaboration, because without their help I wouldn't be able to prove my self right.
THANK YOU !!!

[fj43]

After 50 days The Greek paid my bet.
I would like to thank Bill and his team for the collaboration, because without their help I wouldn't be able to prove my self right.
THANK YOU !!!

Georgi,
We received what looks like your complaint an hour ago. Feel free to call, IM, or PM in the future.

That should have been my complain (sent on 11 April from the same email as my forum user's). I am glad Georgi's case finished with happy end. But also I am disappointed that TheGreek have to be pushed by SBR and Mr. Dozer to give back the stolen money to their members one by one, instead of paying all of them the winnings when finally it's clear which side was right.
What I mean is that I am still not payed for the same bet.

Hope for cooperation.

[Bill Dozer]

Hi fj,

Nothing on the 11th but do have your latest email and will look into it tomorrow with mgt.

[fj43]

Hi fj,

Nothing on the 11th but do have your latest email and will look into it tomorrow with mgt.

Maybe on 10th April, because of the time difference. However, I've just resended the email to have my points about the case.
Thank you.

[acw]

What I mean is that I am still not payed for the same bet.

ROTFLMAO

a+ book?