Matchbook leaving the US

[ForgetWallStreet]

Hey guys, were people allowed to b2b transfer their remaining account balance on pinnacle instead of withdrawing it to neteller back a few years ago?

Neteller was already shut down IIRC.

[SBR_John]

Which part is highly doubtful John? The comeback, the continued slow-pay, or take the rye sandwich and run?

I'm just guessing but my guess is its slow pay business as usual at WSEX. I hope I'm wrong and they scoop a bunch of money from the sale of MB and get caught up. But if the new buyers bought MB from WSEX with intent of stripping out the US business then I dont see WSEX netting enough to get caught up on the $1 million they owe..... love to be wrong on this.

[fido007]

US market , no doubt one of the biggest ( if not the biggest) on the planet, yet everybody are running away from here like rats from the sinking ship? Seems that they all are sick of bureaucracy and laws that are targeting online gambling. What ever happened to free country? Laws are getting tighter and tighter ... Where does it all end?
Europe though is still free...

Jamaica fully legalized sports betting last July 2010

[trumpdown]

There are no NBA. NCAA Basketball, or NHL overnight markets up. This is not a good sign.

Yep this says a lot also...but euro football is up!

[Full Time Hobo]

Someone needs to find Fishhead fast

[ForgetWallStreet]

Someone needs to find Fishhead fast

He's probably out job hunting.

[CarpeDime]

Tell Barney Frank to get your cock out of his mouth and call off the boys at the DOJ.

he would if he could, and my sexual preferences and activities have nothing to do with this

look the Republicans won, give credit where credit is due, let's just be honest about it

no pinny no neteller, now no matchy? they won dude, you need to accept it

[Monte]

MB was almost dead for a rather long time now, why do you think FH, Chuck and the other shills went on so much about how great they are?
They would tell you "wow, look at those huge offers on game xxx!".
What they didn't tell you is that these come from a handful of people, i always expected someone like Pinny behind it because they always seemed to know how the Pinny line will move, but who knows.

When i made small offers for a fair price, i often had to wait for hours to get anything matched, and sometimes it never happened.
No, Matchbook is/was a playground for a few big fishes, and that's it. And obviously those big sums on sucker odds they put on, not much got matched = not much $$$ made by Matchbook. You have to also consider they always paid the fees for payouts...i dare saying they are just as clueless as Wsex was, except that they always paid quick (so far).

[trumpdown]

I'm just guessing but my guess is its slow pay business as usual at WSEX. I hope I'm wrong and they scoop a bunch of money from the sale of MB and get caught up. But if the new buyers bought MB from WSEX with intent of stripping out the US business then I dont see WSEX netting enough to get caught up on the $1 million they owe..... love to be wrong on this.

Liked the rye sandwich bit...WSEX has paid me eventually every single time. Hope they continue to do so in the future.

[JohnnyC]

So, Fishhead is now a free agent on the shill market

[wtf]

So, Fishhead is now a free agent on the shill market

EVERYTIME I accused him of this he categorically denied this, which makes me puke a little in my mouth actually

be interesting to see his reaction though to this news

[nyplayer33]

use Betmaker

[ryanspeer2001]

So when will the next big thing in betting exchanges jump into the us market.

[notsosharp]

getting harder and harder to bet.

[Monte]

US Gov. will take out the remaining books soon enough, it's over for the US market offshore and you all know that.
When Pinny pulled out the clock started ticking, the end is near sorry boys.

[sneak-a-peak]

getting harder and harder to bet.

Thats for sure.....

I think all these U.S facing books are in trouble- just wait until they start cracking down on ** and **! The squares will have no way of easily depositing and not even bother anymore therefore leaving mostly winners playing at these books who will be hammering them!

[scott235]

transfer to betmaker/bookmaker/diamond is key

[Domer]

a little reality check

1. its not a surprise that a bunch of small timers "don't use" mb. mb is for large players and people who understand the value of low juice.
2. its not a surprise that sbr has had a hard-on for going after mb ever since mb stopped advertising with them. there's never been a SINGLE issue with payments from mb. not even a single one. and yet there has been an implication for quite a long time around here that mb is 'going under' or some other activity.

if you're a real bettor, and you don't have access to pinnacle or betfair, you are using matchbook. if you aren't, you suck at math. those are pretty much the only options.

"no liquidity" is idiotic. they had tens upon tens of thousands of dollars in matched bets tonight on the Oscars. on the markets that have high interest, the liquidity is extraordinarily high.

lets get back to reality guys.

[JoeVig]

use Betmaker

LOL - Matchbook will probably still have more liquidity on US sports from offshore players than Betmaker will.

[Stacocakes]

Wonder when this announcement is going to be?

For all of the americans looking for an exchange, where will you go? Betmaker? I can't find them on the sbr list for some reason

[KGambler]

a little reality check

1. its not a surprise that a bunch of small timers "don't use" mb. mb is for large players and people who understand the value of low juice.
2. its not a surprise that sbr has had a hard-on for going after mb ever since mb stopped advertising with them. there's never been a SINGLE issue with payments from mb. not even a single one. and yet there has been an implication for quite a long time around here that mb is 'going under' or some other activity.

if you're a real bettor, and you don't have access to pinnacle or betfair, you are using matchbook. if you aren't, you suck at math. those are pretty much the only options.

"no liquidity" is idiotic. they had tens upon tens of thousands of dollars in matched bets tonight on the Oscars. on the markets that have high interest, the liquidity is extraordinarily high.

lets get back to reality guys.

For the most part, great post.

The problem is this... if this rumor is not true, why doesn't MB address the issue directly? They should have some kind of comment on this.

[KC]

5Dimes should benefit quite a bit..

[sharpcat]

a little reality check

1. its not a surprise that a bunch of small timers "don't use" mb. mb is for large players and people who understand the value of low juice.
2. its not a surprise that sbr has had a hard-on for going after mb ever since mb stopped advertising with them. there's never been a SINGLE issue with payments from mb. not even a single one. and yet there has been an implication for quite a long time around here that mb is 'going under' or some other activity.

if you're a real bettor, and you don't have access to pinnacle or betfair, you are using matchbook. if you aren't, you suck at math. those are pretty much the only options.

"no liquidity" is idiotic. they had tens upon tens of thousands of dollars in matched bets tonight on the Oscars. on the markets that have high interest, the liquidity is extraordinarily high.

lets get back to reality guys.

I agree with points #1 and #2

I disagree with the sentence highlighted red. Many of the sharpest players I know of don't even waste their time with matchbook and they are all very good at math. Arb players play with MB and scalp off at pinny, real bettors find more value in exploiting incompetent bookmakers.

[Domer]

5Dimes should benefit quite a bit..

5dimes is a rec book

1. if you have any clue what you're doing, 5dimes will shut the door in your face
2. you can't get 25k down on a game on 5dimes.

[d2bets]

The Matchbook betting exchange would like to confirm that it has undergone a change of ownership, pending certain formalities. Upon title transfer, at midnight tonight, Matchbook betting exchange will no longer be facilitating the placement of wagers in jurisdictions where Matchbook operations are seen to be non-compliant.

As a result, Matchbook will order the immediate suspension of all gaming business with all accounts registered from a US address, and players who hold such accounts, will no longer be permitted to use the betting exchange. These account holders will be contacted with precise instructions and given 31 days by which they must make a one-time withdrawal of all balances held on the Matchbook betting exchange.

In addition, we would like to affirm that the new Matchbook management and ownership is in no way affiliated with WSEX or any previous ownership. The new owners and management look forward to heralding a new dawn in financial prudence and stability, while continuing to offer a world class betting exchange with improved global sports offerings. Matchbook intends to expand our operations into the European and Asian markets through encouraging a steady increase in event liquidity as well as expanding payment channels into these markets. Please stay tuned for further updates in the coming weeks

[Cantstopmenow]

I just got emailed this.

NOTICE
Matchbook has been sold effective February 28th 2011. The new owners of Matchbook have been informed by its legal advisors that accepting wagers from anyone located within the United States might constitute a violation of United States law. Accordingly, Matchbook will no longer accept a participant located in the United States, where wagering on a sporting event or any other event in which chance predominates might be a violation of law. As a result, if you are a registered participant located in the United States, you will not be able to access your account for the purposes of placing a wager effective immediately upon the transfer of ownership of Matchbook on February 28th 2011.

The accounts of all registered participants located in the United States will be closed effective February 28th 2011. The new owners of Matchbook will work with the affected participants to ensure that all funds remaining in the registered participants’ accounts as of February 28th 2011 will be returned to the registered participants located in the United States within 31 days from the aforesaid date.
Registered participants whose accounts will be closed effective February 28th 2011, will be sent, via email, detailed instructions as to the procedure required to receive the funds remaining in their respective accounts as of February 28th 2011. The new ownership will provide contact information for questions from registered participants whose accounts have been closed. Participant’s funds not claimed within the 31 days will be turned over to the Antigua Financial Services Resource Commission.

The new owners of Matchbook are in no way associated or affiliated with WSEX or the previous ownership of Matchbook prior to February 28th 2011.

The new owners and management look forward to heralding a new dawn in financial prudence and stability, while continuing to offer a world class betting exchange with improved global sports offerings. Matchbook intends to expand its operations into the European and Asian markets through encouraging a steady increase in event liquidity as well as expanding payment channels into these markets. Please stay tuned for further updates in the coming weeks.

The Financial Services Regulatory Commission, (FSRC) the agency responsible for overseeing the online gaming industry in Antigua and Barbuda has been advised of the transfer of ownership of Matchbook and has approved the transfer to the new ownership. The FSRC could be reached at www.antiguagaming.gov.ag.

I am very sad I can't play on Matchbook anymore. It was by far the best betting site on the internet.

[KGambler]

The Matchbook betting exchange would like to confirm that it has undergone a change of ownership, pending certain formalities. Upon title transfer, at midnight tonight, Matchbook betting exchange will no longer be facilitating the placement of wagers in jurisdictions where Matchbook operations are seen to be non-compliant.

As a result, Matchbook will order the immediate suspension of all gaming business with all accounts registered from a US address, and players who hold such accounts, will no longer be permitted to use the betting exchange. These account holders will be contacted with precise instructions and given 31 days by which they must make a one-time withdrawal of all balances held on the Matchbook betting exchange.

In addition, we would like to affirm that the new Matchbook management and ownership is in no way affiliated with WSEX or any previous ownership. The new owners and management look forward to heralding a new dawn in financial prudence and stability, while continuing to offer a world class betting exchange with improved global sports offerings. Matchbook intends to expand our operations into the European and Asian markets through encouraging a steady increase in event liquidity as well as expanding payment channels into these markets. Please stay tuned for further updates in the coming weeks

Thanks d2bet.

This is now up on MB's website if anyone is wondering where it comes from.

[Domer]

I agree with points #1 and #2

I disagree with the sentence highlighted red. Many of the sharpest players I know of don't even waste their time with matchbook and they are all very good at math. Arb players play with MB and scalp off at pinny, real bettors find more value in exploiting incompetent bookmakers.

im not saying its the be-all-end-all, because the liqudity on stuff like college basketball pre-march madness, hockey, and other lesser sports isn't that great. but when you graduate from the minor leagues and you need to be putting down thousands and even tens of thousands at a time, there aren't many options other than pinnacle, betfair, matchbook, or a vegas casino. many use pinnacle, wink nudge wink nudge. many opt for vegas, but again, you're paying the price with the juice. many use a combination.

regardless, matchbook is a vital cog in the wheel.

[Nicky Santoro]

unless i missed it, no one said if officially CANADA is ok and it's business as usual or not. All i can say is O CANADA and it's great to be canadian...but if that's the case, you can be sure alot will be getting canadian bank accts and will find a way to bet with matchy, just like they did with pinny. there are thousands of americans still betting with pinny.. believe me, they will find a way to still bet with matchy..

this news has to put a smile on the smaller books like betphoenix, betonline, etc.. my buddy richie at BP will sleep well tonight knowing his business just grew... when a big book like this closes, you know they will only get more volume than before. when i used to book back in the early 90's, we were 3 big locals in the city. when one closed shop, the next day, we had 75 new customers..

[Domer]

I just got emailed this.

NOTICE
Matchbook has been sold effective February 28th 2011. The new owners of Matchbook have been informed by its legal advisors that accepting wagers from anyone located within the United States might constitute a violation of United States law. Accordingly, Matchbook will no longer accept a participant located in the United States, where wagering on a sporting event or any other event in which chance predominates might be a violation of law. As a result, if you are a registered participant located in the United States, you will not be able to access your account for the purposes of placing a wager effective immediately upon the transfer of ownership of Matchbook on February 28th 2011.

The accounts of all registered participants located in the United States will be closed effective February 28th 2011. The new owners of Matchbook will work with the affected participants to ensure that all funds remaining in the registered participants’ accounts as of February 28th 2011 will be returned to the registered participants located in the United States within 31 days from the aforesaid date.
Registered participants whose accounts will be closed effective February 28th 2011, will be sent, via email, detailed instructions as to the procedure required to receive the funds remaining in their respective accounts as of February 28th 2011. The new ownership will provide contact information for questions from registered participants whose accounts have been closed. Participant’s funds not claimed within the 31 days will be turned over to the Antigua Financial Services Resource Commission.

The new owners of Matchbook are in no way associated or affiliated with WSEX or the previous ownership of Matchbook prior to February 28th 2011.

The new owners and management look forward to heralding a new dawn in financial prudence and stability, while continuing to offer a world class betting exchange with improved global sports offerings. Matchbook intends to expand its operations into the European and Asian markets through encouraging a steady increase in event liquidity as well as expanding payment channels into these markets. Please stay tuned for further updates in the coming weeks.

The Financial Services Regulatory Commission, (FSRC) the agency responsible for overseeing the online gaming industry in Antigua and Barbuda has been advised of the transfer of ownership of Matchbook and has approved the transfer to the new ownership. The FSRC could be reached at www.antiguagaming.gov.ag.

I am very sad I can't play on Matchbook anymore. It was by far the best betting site on the internet.

welp.

im about to red-flagged up the wazoo with this one-time deposit.

[KGambler]

no one said if officially CANADA is ok and it's business as usual or not. All i can say is O CANADA and it's great to be canadian...

Well, as usual, as the mighty USA goes, so goes minnow Canada. There will be very little liquidity. So I don't think you should bust out the bubbly just yet. You know how an exchange works, right?

[KGambler]

welp.

im about to red-flagged up the wazoo with this one-time deposit.

Yeah, wtf. Why only one withdrawal?

Lazy *****... Why not just one free one, and charge for additional transcations?

I would prefer to do some B2Bs so I can keep money online. It's a pain in the ass to fund some of these places.

[Doug]

I'd bet that books like 5Dimes and Betjam stop taking MB transfers. Why would they want whomever owns MB to owe them money ?

What about futures on NHL and NBA also ? There have to bets there that have significant equity.

Now when the transfers get stopped, checks might take months.

I'm glad I got out of there. Problem is there are only two good books left.

[bubba]

why buy matchbook if you will not offer services to US citizens? wouldnt these new owners be better off just starting a website from scratch? isnt this like buying mcdonalds and turning it into a store for vegeterians? what good does the name do for you at this point?

[d2bets]

I'd bet that books like 5Dimes and Betjam stop taking MB transfers. Why would they want whomever owns MB to owe them money ?

What about futures on NFL and NBA also ? There have to bets there that have significant equity.

Now when the transfers get stopped, checks might take months.

I'm glad I got out of there. Problem is there are only two good books left.

Why wouldn't they want to get more business? If MB is able to transfer by check/wire then why couldn't they send those same funds directly to 5dimes, greek, etc? I would think that would be easiest for all.