1. #1
    bigboydan
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    The risk of playing with poorly rated online sportsbooks

    The risk of playing with poorly rated online sportsbooks

    Mike just hit a $75,000 football parlay and already had plans on how he would spend the dough. A 50'' flat-screen was first up - then he was finally paying off the auto-loan he put off for so long. Next was a gift to his parents for putting a roof over his head eight years too long, well past most kids' home expiration date.

    One problem Mike didn't account for in all of his planning - he would never see a red cent of it.

    Mike made an account at Scam Book Xyz.com. After being on the ropes a few times, down to his last $200, Mike threw up a prayer. Except this was no Our Father; it was a Hail Mary, fourteen-team, NFL Sunday parlay. Chasing that ever elusive life-changing score, Mike won every game. That's when the music stopped and reality set in.

    "Hi, I'd like to go about withdrawing my funds. What's the fastest possible manner I can do that?"

    "Sir, the notes from management are that your account has been locked and is under review. Until the investigation is complete, no withdrawals are possible on the account, sir. May I assist in anything else?"

    Mike's heart sunk in his chest. He had heard all the stories of scam sportsbooks but he blew off the advice of his friends and proceeded to part with his cash every second Friday of the month. After all, he was given a small reload bonus on every deposit. He doled out $300 at a time of his hard-earned, minimum wage paycheck and dreamed of that big score; the life-changer.

    Mike would soon come to grips with what amounted to a cold shower. He failed to do his research and ended up with a scam sportsbook that had a history of not paying big winners.

    ________

    The above anecdote is fictional, but it highlights a very real risk of playing with shady bookmakers. While online gambling is typically met with negative connotations in most circles, sportsbook players are no different than investors - from recreational players looking to have a good time, to middle of the pack grinders earning a little on the side to the full-blown professionals: A sportsbook deposit is an investment. Before making an investment to any online sportsbook, a player should consider the following:

    How long has the sportsbook been in business?

    Many sportsbooks pop up on the grid each year. Sportsbooks aiming to serve US customers typically surface prior to football season. These sportsbooks are at a disadvantage as they are attempting to drum up business in a tight, highly competitive market. To counter the reluctance players have trying out a new sportsbook, these companies usually promise to give away the farm - reduced juice, big starter bonuses plus reload incentives. The best measuring stick a player can use to gauge the safety of an operation is TIME. Any sportsbook can have a successful quarter or year; but can the sportsbook maintain a high level of service, fast payouts and good customer service season after season, year after year? SBR advises players to stick with online bookmakers that have been in business for a minimum of five years.

    Are there any serious outstanding claims against the sportsbook?

    The value of the internet is how quickly information spreads. A simple Google search of a company often yields relevant information for the player to consider before making his decision to play with an online sportsbook. SBR also provides an outlet for users to discuss sportsbooks without fear of censorship in the Sportsbooks & Industry section at SBR Forum. The SBR sportsbook ratings guide features over 1,000 online bookmakers - from various countries, with different platforms and business models. For a more refined look through bookmakers considered to be among the industry's best, the official sportsbook reviews written by SBR provide thorough operation overviews.

    How willing is the sportsbook to discuss disputes with SBR?

    A good online sportsbook is no different than any other company in the public eye - they strive to provide good service and to be regarded positively by consumers, knowing that good press leads to more customers, and more customers allow business to grow. One of the aspects that helps shape a sportsbook rating is their communication with SBR. In an industry rife with betting markets, wager types, bonuses and various payout methods, inevitably a dispute will arise where either the player or house is at fault. SBR logs player complaints in its industry news feed and posting forum, giving readers a chance to stay up to date with current online sportsbook news and disputes. Sportsbooks rated B+ and higher have historically been active in discussing disputes with SBR.

    Players in need of sportsbook assistance are asked to fill out a sportsbook complaint form. Alternatively, players may reach Sportsbook Review by writing to help@sportsbookreview.com or dialing 1-830-255-4677 seven days a week during normal business hours.

  2. #2
    djefferis
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    300 at a time on min wage..what's he do, work 3 jobs??!!??

    That's a lot of jack for a guy GROSSING 320 a week at 40 hours (8 dollars an hour x40)

    Hell, mabeye mike should quit working and concentrate on gambling full time. Seems like the poor guy could do better as a tout than working at walmart.

  3. #3
    bobbywaves
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    Common sense info for most players. However, I see the reason for your post given the amount of people in this forum playing at mickey mouse books.

  4. #4
    robmpink
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    Or he could have played at BetEd.

  5. #5
    Domer
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    We can thank the US government for BetEd. Lost a lot of money at that place.

  6. #6
    zsr
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    How long before this happens at betislands?

  7. #7
    Tech N9ne
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    I hope mike didnt kill himself

    That's a depressing story

  8. #8
    King_Suckerman
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    Yes very sad. Maybe we could all give Mike some betpoints to cheer him up?

  9. #9
    AimingHigh
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    Maybe Mike was riddled with self-doubt and indecision about where to play once he realised that sponsor books seemed to have inflated ratings, and some non-sponsor books seemed to get punished. Poor Mike, if only he could have found a truly impartial rating guide to trust before depositing.
    Points Awarded:

    Delicious gave AimingHigh 2 SBR Point(s) for this post.

    Nomination(s):
    This post was nominated 1 time . To view the nominated thread please click here. People who nominated: ACoochy

  10. #10
    ZetaPsi808
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    The above anecdote is fictional, but it highlights a very real risk of playing with shady bookmakers.

  11. #11
    big0mar
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    This thread is stupid.

    What country is this fictional book based in????

  12. #12
    BGS 9.5
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    Mike, call me.

  13. #13
    PD77
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    This article could easily be renamed "The risk of playing with online sportsbooks"

  14. #14
    zsr
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    Quote Originally Posted by PD77 View Post
    This article could easily be renamed "The risk of playing with online sportsbooks"
    No doubt this is going to happen with 5dimes or bookmaker sometime soon, just like full tilt. Sbr knows this but for some reason they keep encouraging people from the U.S. to deposit with this books

  15. #15
    sideloaded
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    wow nice propaganda article

  16. #16
    4TH AND STUPID
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    200 dollars on a 14 team parlay probably pays more than 76000 lol



    was "mike" drunk?

  17. #17
    djefferis
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    Poor mike, perhaps instead of SBR he needs to find GA.

    Gambling recreationally, but mike sounds to have a problem, spending a weeks pay on a "hail mary".

    Stay strong mikey, we degenerates are praying for you.

  18. #18
    wantitall4moi
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    LOL,ratings for sports books are like BCS ratings, or any other opinion based system. Doesnt mean jack shit. If a book doesnt want to pay you what are you going to do? And if a book doesnt pay what happens to them? Nothing beyond some people pissing and moaning in a forum somewhere.

    The only books who will pay every winner are owned/run by guys with integrity and money, which in this day and age are a little juxtaposed.

  19. #19
    HedgeHog
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    I feel like SBR is doing an ABC afternoon special for retards. Was Mike playing at Betonline? Don't play at crap Books that have inflated ratings because they advertise here.

  20. #20
    obamaismyuncle
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    don't use any online books. use all local.

  21. #21
    iceminers26
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    Quote Originally Posted by zsr View Post
    How long before this happens at betislands?
    I would love to hear your reasoning for this post or are you like the majority here where you just post bullshit claims but fail to back it up with any sound reasoning.

    Name one instance that came up where one should be worried about BI, just one... that is all I am asking from you.

  22. #22
    obamaismyuncle
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    Quote Originally Posted by iceminers26 View Post
    I would love to hear your reasoning for this post or are you like the majority here where you just post bullshit claims but fail to back it up with any sound reasoning.

    Name one instance that came up where one should be worried about BI, just one... that is all I am asking from you.

    there isn't one. The deal is they haven't been around long enough to trust with a good sum of money.

  23. #23
    iceminers26
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    Quote Originally Posted by obamaismyuncle View Post
    there isn't one. The deal is they haven't been around long enough to trust with a good sum of money.
    I will agree with that. Its like any new book you try out though, you start investing small then build up as you become more comfortable with it.

    I'm just stating BI has been nothing but top notch for all us SBR posters that use them and I haven't seen anyone of us have a problem with them to this point.

  24. #24
    jjgold
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    I think other than heritage and maybe one or two more non sbr books I would be scared to death to play at Books SBR does not approve

  25. #25
    HedgeHog
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    Quote Originally Posted by iceminers26 View Post
    I will agree with that. Its like any new book you try out though, you start investing small then build up as you become more comfortable with it.

    I'm just stating BI has been nothing but top notch for all us SBR posters that use them and I haven't seen anyone of us have a problem with them to this point.
    I have more money in BI than I do in 5D and I'm not worried. Tony will screw you, with SBR's approval (see 3 casino disputes that went his way), long before Jon might (and he won't). BI is fine.

  26. #26
    ACoochy
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    Played at and paid out at plenty of non sbr books....SBR is a guide, an informative one but a guide only...

  27. #27
    HedgeHog
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjgold View Post
    I think other than heritage and maybe one or two more non sbr books I would be scared to death to play at Books SBR does not approve
    Then again, you'd be scared to say anything bad about an SBR advertised Book too. You're paid to whore for SBR Books, right?

  28. #28
    mkm311
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    Quote Originally Posted by obamaismyuncle View Post
    don't use any online books. use all local.
    Yea and let them make up lines and stiff you. I have been stiffed by so many locals. I will only play offshore.

  29. #29
    msutter
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    In 2009 SBR ranked WSEX as an A+ book. How'd that work out...

  30. #30
    robmpink
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    Is Mike a homosexual?

  31. #31
    Lo-CalDallasBuKe
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    concur.. a friend of a friend will know someone reliable.

  32. #32
    zsr
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    Quote Originally Posted by iceminers26 View Post
    I would love to hear your reasoning for this post or are you like the majority here where you just post bullshit claims but fail to back it up with any sound reasoning. Name one instance that came up where one should be worried about BI, just one... that is all I am asking from you.
    They've been around about what, six weeks? The reason you like them is because they pay out so fast right? They pay out fast because they dont have anywhere near the customers that 5dimes does. Someone stupid enough to put money offshore in this climate deserves what there gonna get. dont you ever wonder why all the good books left the U.S. market? To your comment "post one instance where i should be worried" should i post the 100s of mickey mouse books that have popped up before football season then nowhere to be seen after?

    I wonder if your pal jon is gonna send you the money he owes once he's forced to leave the u.s market? Maybe sbr will help you, right?
    Last edited by zsr; 10-19-11 at 05:44 PM.

  33. #33
    zsr
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    BBD, bump this thread in a year once all the offshore books are forced to leave the U.S. market and nobody has recieved the money there owed. Is sbr going to pay back all the people who got screwed at A rated books?

  34. #34
    HedgeHog
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    Quote Originally Posted by robmpink View Post
    Is Mike a homosexual?
    He is now. That Scam-Book fukked him big time.

  35. #35
    mh217
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    just legalize this shit already its getting outta hand..where's obama's nephew??

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