SBR Store discontinuing sportsbook rewards

[Skidcom]

Very disappointing. Maybe that Apocalypse guy was right. Thanx for the great promotion while it lasted.

[dmtrader]

I agree - very disappointing. Although, I can understand SBR's decision. They walk a fine line in awarding sportsbook freeplays/cash, and could be culpable if a prosecutor really wants to press a case.

[OSUCOWBOYS]

Quit whining freeloaders.

Exactly. It's not SBR wants to stop, they have to.

[blackbart]

computers could use updating, stuff on there is obsolete or not available

[Boner_18]

I don't agree. To actually "gamble" you need to bet your own money. And remember the player is breaking zero US laws by playing at a sportsbook. So we basically give you an award/free gift, requires no deposit, and you play legally with no chance of loss,,,,hence no gambling.

Once you give us the points which arguably have a cash value they become property which we can then in turn lose. Not to mention courts are not ridged applicators of laws written some time ago without the foresight of the myriad possible applications. In other words, they will (or at least can) look at the substance over form.

I'm not saying I agree with the law, just that there is a legal argument that can be made on the other side. As an attorney, it's in my blood to consider all the points of attack from both sides as though they were valid. It doesn't matter what party walks into the office, both of them have "a good case."

[jmathes]

great job guys, keep it up!

[Boner_18]

The problem that I have with this is that businesses located outside of the United States and its' territories should not have to abide by US laws. For instance, the legal age to drink alcohol in Costa Rica is 18. In the US, it's 21. Is a bar in Costa Rica breaking US law because they are serving alcohol to a 19 year old US citizen who is vacationing here?

It's the same principle. The sportsbooks are not located in the United States. When you login to whatever sportsbook, your computer has to exchange data with a server physically located in another country. How is it any different than you physically flying down to Costa Rica, walking up to a sportsbook, and placing a bet? Or walking into a brothel in CR and paying a prostitute for sex? It's all legal in Costa Rica, yet it's illegal in the United States. Should businesses in CR have to check citizenship and then familiarize themselves with every country's laws before they are allowed to do business with you?

The main difference between your drinking example and the current situation is that the US citizens in THIS case are still within the confines of the United States. It's a huge difference.

[jcadwell]

Well this sucks but I can still go after some gift cards!

[chilidog]

The main difference between your drinking example and the current situation is that the US citizens in THIS case are still within the confines of the United States. It's a huge difference.

I understand the difference in theory. But one could argue that even though the US citizen is still physically in the US, his actions are being done in another jurisdiction. Nobody is taking his bet on US soil. Is it every business' responsibility (online and/or brick and mortar) to learn the laws of another country's citizens?

[ChileCheese]

A few days I go, I started a thread asking about the point system and whether we need to cash them out NOW.
My thread was quickly shut down. But they proceed with this information anyway.
But I am sure SBR will figure out a way around this soon enough. Too smart, too cunning, SBR is.

[shari91]

A few days I go, I started a thread asking about the point system and whether we need to cash them out NOW. My thread was quickly shut down. But they proceed with this information anyway. But I am sure SBR will figure out a way around this soon enough. Too smart, too cunning, SBR is.

I don't understand what you mean by your thread being "quickly shut down".

It's still here http://forum.sbrforum.com/sbr-points...freeplays.html

[stevenash]

My guess is that the whole point system

Then this place becomes a ghost town.

[ChileCheese]

I don't understand what you mean by your thread being "quickly shut down".

It's still here http://forum.sbrforum.com/sbr-points...freeplays.html

Shoot, my bad.
It moved from players talk so fast and without even remaining on the main page "moved" as is usually the case, I was left to assume.
Thanks for the clarification sensational.

[donkdown]

SBR will allow non US citizens to purchase free plays, sportsbook cash, ect...business as usual.

But as of May 30th, 2011, hopefully only temporarily, US based posters will not be offered sportsbook credits, or freeplay bonuses from the SBR Store.

We have hired new legal council to advise us if allowing US citizens to use loyalty points to purchase these type of products violates any portion of the new laws. We do not think it does but want to be sure. Hopefully they will be back on the shelves soon.

I helped Lou rewrite his original post. I think this explains it better.

I love SBR but can you guy's give us some credit?? Quit using the term Business As Usual for god sake!! Nothing is business as usual hasn't been for a long time. I remeber when I could request 9,999.00 from 5dimes and before I drove to my ** the money was there!! Now it takes 11 weeks to complete that feat!

[rufflesmuncher]

wait so that means we wont be able to get cash or that means no prizes at all?

[shari91]

Shoot, my bad. It moved from players talk so fast and without even remaining on the main page "moved" as is usually the case, I was left to assume. Thanks for the clarification sensational.

I'm assuming the Mod on duty was just on the ball and moved it to the Points forum. All points questions/comments get moved there if we see them in an appropriate amount of time. You had me concerned there for a minute because if it had been deleted, it would've been a mistake that needed to be fixed.

[Boner_18]

I understand the difference in theory. But one could argue that even though the US citizen is still physically in the US, his actions are being done in another jurisdiction. Nobody is taking his bet on US soil. Is it every business' responsibility (online and/or brick and mortar) to learn the laws of another country's citizens?

As far as the law is concerned the actions are taking place within the US. Physical presence is a clear bright line test when it comes to jurisdiction of US laws and debatable as it may seem, one party to a two party transaction is on US soil and thats enough.

To you second point the answer is quite simply, yes all businesses must inform them selves as to the laws of the countries where they do business. Again, it's not that I own a store and some Brit walks in and I have to know British law, as long as I only operate in the US. But once I "reach in" to another country I best make myself aware of that countries laws with regard to it's citizens. While the line is fine and there ARE arguments that a non-citizen corporation is NOT doing business in the US, they do not apply here. There is not a judge in the country that would find otherwise.

Remember, the whole reason all of this exists is to PROTECT US citizens from foreign based business and individuals looking to "reach in" to our country and potentially harm our people. Obviously, we all have a disagreement with Congress about what exactly we need protection from, myself included. But the process by which we are protected is comforting, would you want businesses defrauding US citizens without repercussions simply because they are based out of some foreign jurisdiction? What about some dangerous or illicit substances (drugs, explosives) being sent into the country being a-okay simply b/c the person bought them online from a company based in Malta.

Again, I don't agree with the notion that we need protection from this line of business, but once it is deemed illegal by Congress, they have all the right to shut it down within the states and territories.

[apkboston]

wait so we cant buy new account bonuses?

[SBR_John]

The SBR point system will be fine no matter what happens with free plays for US players. If we can not give free play awards we will give gift cards and other pre paid type ************ along with all the other merchandise.

[RudyRuetigger]

I don't agree. To actually "gamble" you need to bet your own money. And remember the player is breaking zero US laws by playing at a sportsbook. So we basically give you an award/free gift, requires no deposit, and you play legally with no chance of loss,,,,hence no gambling.

I agree with this, but I think you enter the grey area when you offer SBR Pros more rewards (since that is directly related to deposits) and that you can spend your points on %cash (on top of a deposit) at a book.

Like I said I think its grey, but very good for SBR to check on this and allow posters the opportunity to cash out their points now before they close it down for a bit.

[Foosball Champ]

I am pretty sure they won't bring freeplays ever.

[Kindred]

if points can't be used to purchase cash/freplays wouldn't contest winnings also be affected?

[Mr. Jones]

Great while it lasted boys. My personal thanks to SBR.

[chase hardy]

I think the point deal will be okay soon!!

[ROYAJA8]

if points can't be used to purchase cash/freplays wouldn't contest winnings also be affected?

Dam great point I didn't even think about that but probably nomore contest for sportsbook cash prizes then.

[THE HITMAN]

I'll sure miss that.........

[Kindred]

The SBR point system will be fine no matter what happens with free plays for US players. If we can not give free play awards we will give gift cards and other pre paid type ************ along with all the other merchandise.

You the man John, SBR is still the best in the business

[shari91]

Dam great point I didn't even think about that but probably nomore contest for sportsbook cash prizes then.

...

No changes on contests. Freeplays and sportsbook cash will still be given out in contests.

[thechaoz]

Thanks for the heads up...

[SBR Lou]

The orders are already being processed. Don't worry, the sportsbooks will credit the orders. There's no reason to panic within the normal 2-4 business day time-frame. You'll even see some applied over the weekend and holiday Monday.

[jwbama23]

Kinda lame how the govt is so determined to crackdown on sports gambling

[MBENZ]

Whomever sponsors the BTP contest can kiss their depositers goodbye if I'm reading this right.Why put money in a book if you can only win points?

[GamblingMike]

It sucks, but I hope it is temporary. Prepaid Mastercards might be a good idea.

You could found accounts with Prepaid Mastercards!

[rochestertitans]

glad i got my ps3 from the store wen i did

[SBR_John]

Contests are a different animal and are not affected. They also have a long track record and have never been questioned by the powers to be.