BetPhoenix confiscates $5K Freeplay

**DukeJohn** · 02-27-09, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by JohnnyC

Hello SBR,

I signed up for Phoenix a couple months ago, deposited 10k, busted my account. Then I reloaded 10k and was given a 5k freeplay. I ran up my account, they took me off red juice and limited me to dimes. Bookk becomes pretty useless to me and I decide to withdraw.

After contacting live chat yesterday to withdraw my funds, support reminded me that my fp would be voided if I did so. So...I said of course I will not withdraw now, I will use my freeplay first. My account rep called me an hour later, he wanted to keep me happy so he convinced wagering to give me 2 dimes instead of 1 dime limits but still with 20c lines. Ok I'm happy at this point, whatever.

I wake up today to see my freeplay gone from my account. Live chat says it was confiscated because I am "not a recreational player".

This is not cool right? I am waiting to hear from my account rep but this is grounds for a formal complaint right?

thanks in advance peeps.

Well their TOS does state they can confiscate your FP if they deem your not a recreational player. However, did you try contacting them and letting them know you lost $10k the first go around... Losing your balance and then depositing another $10K would make it seem like you have money, but not necessarily a professional. What is your current balance at now?

**HedgeHog** · 02-27-09, 05:23 PM

You should be able to withdraw w/o penalty since they stole your bonus. Have to say I can't imagine a Book turning away a "Pro" that pissed away 10K earlier.

**THEGREAT30** · 02-27-09, 05:28 PM

This book is rapidly becoming a joke in my mind. It's like when youre losing everything is fine. On the other hand, all hell could break loose at anytime.

**JohnnyC** · 02-27-09, 05:30 PM

So they can just freeroll me on this bonus?? For an sbr endorsed book to do this is crazy to me.

They clearly made this decision once I showed an interest in cashing out some funds.

What's the point of offering a freeplay bonus if they're just gonna take it away when you win??

Limiting my bets and removing 10c pricing - fine, acceptable. But this is just taking it too far.

**HeeeHAWWWW** · 02-27-09, 05:35 PM

Yuck, that's not good. Still, I wonder if we're getting the full story (no offence, but first time posters raise suspicion).

Also, I thought you couldn't get large bonuses with 10c lines? That's always been their rule.

**JohnnyC** · 02-27-09, 05:57 PM

HeeHaww,

I got the 50% bonus on my reload of 10K, they were probably trying to reel me in. This reload was one month ago, the freeplay was taken away today.

I have spoken with the lines manager who made the decision, he felt that increasing my limits to $2k warranted taking away my freeplay. My current hot streak seems to have made him angry.

I am calling him back in 15 mins after he consults with the owner on what do do about this. He offered to give me half of the free play back which I declined.

I don't think I am leaving out any details.

**JohnnyC** · 02-27-09, 06:05 PM

I also said that I don't care about limiting, juice, heck even banning - just give me back the bonus that you were so willing to give me in the first place and I'll be on my way.

His response - but we want you to keep playing here. WTF

**katstale** · 02-27-09, 06:17 PM

Sounds like you are big enough player you are still in "negotiations". hang in there and hopefully you will come to a mutually agreeable settlement. You don't really want to run away from their lines? Do you?

If you are really a "player"--you will want to look at this long term and big picture. Welcome to SBR.

**RJbetphoenix** · 02-27-09, 06:34 PM

Just came across my desk. Player is only touching steam moves at this point. I will get some more info and reply shortly.

**JohnnyC** · 02-27-09, 06:41 PM

EDIT TO ORIGINAL POST - MY ORIGINAL DEPOSIT WAS 5K

For me, the long term status of my account was erased when they took off red juice and limited me to dimes. I am done with this site, I just want my freeplay to be credited to my account.

I just got off the phone with Jamie the manager. Apparently their offer of 50% of the freeplay is no longer on the table. It has come from the owner that he did not like the thread I started and wants no business with me. Their position is that my 5k freeplay is to be confiscated and now they want to send me my balance because of the thread I started "badmouthing them"

Aside from the typo of initial deposit of 10k instead of the actual 5k I deposited, I have only reported the facts.

**HedgeHog** · 02-27-09, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by RJbetphoenix

Just came across my desk. Player is only touching steam moves at this point. I will get some more info and reply shortly.

This just in... his 13 year old son lost the first 5k; can he he get it back?

BetPhoenix is full of excuses lately not to pay or to confiscate bonuses.

**big joe 1212** · 02-27-09, 06:44 PM

I warned everyone about this place a few months back! But everyone just blew me off and kept saying how great this place is! Now we a starting to see the real Bet Phoenix!

**JohnnyC** · 02-27-09, 06:47 PM

Up to this point I have had nothing but good things to say about Phoenix - top shelf book. But this is just not cool.

One month, they let me play with them. Now they say the bonus is not for me.

They say the thread I started "bad mouthing" them is worth way more than 5k to them. Ok, then honor the freeplay you gave to me one month ago and players will feel safe betting at your site.

I don't mean to come off confrontational, I regret starting this thread before finishing my conversation with Jamie. But this is not a good way to do business.

**SportsLockPicks** · 02-27-09, 06:48 PM

spread your money out to 4-6 books next time..its a hassle but in the long run it is less of a hassle

**trixtrix** · 02-27-09, 06:48 PM

if the thread is as stated, betp is clearly in the wrong.

now this is the type of thread that has a valid complaint, vs. the other betp thread. this is no way i'm depositing anything into betp w/out a clear explanation/change in policy now..

**SSLP** · 02-27-09, 06:49 PM

i dunno about you , but a $5k mistake is a BIG DENT in your story.
Phoenix is a solid shop with $$$ millions of back up , i am going to wait to hear Phoenix's side on this.

You do seem to be holding on details , they just wont go into your account like that over nothing.

I smell foul play.

Any more " changes " to your story Johhny C that we should be aware off?

**katstale** · 02-27-09, 06:50 PM

Originally posted by HedgeHog

This just in... his 13 year old son lost the first 5k; can he he get it back?

BetPhoenix is full of excuses lately not to pay or to confiscate bonuses.

Some of this stuff has to be related. I often hit the 1 and the 0 when i am trying to type 5.

**SSLP** · 02-27-09, 06:53 PM

Sorry to break it to you guys but if you take a big free play bonus , and then play steam or your an originator EVERY book will cut you down somehow.

He is clearly after the bonus , im sorry but very few recreational players send $5k at a time only " whales" and you dont fit the profile pal.

Every poster likes to make it seem like he is the victim on his first posts but as the story unveals we often see the player was in foul play somehow.

**JohnnyC** · 02-27-09, 06:54 PM

There was no foul play on my part. They think I play steam plays or whatever, fine with me - ban me.

The fact that I first reported a loss of 10K instead of 5K has absolutely no bearing on this issue. They gave me a 50% fp on 10K one month ago, I ran hot, they take freeplay.

**SSLP** · 02-27-09, 06:55 PM

I work at a book and have been for yearssss now.
If you send $10k in and get a big bonus and your playing sides and totals that are moving 30 seconds after you bet them . I am taking action every book will do this.. dont like it? dont play offshore and dont take a bonus.

**JohnnyC** · 02-27-09, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by SSLP

Sorry to break it to you guys but if you take a big free play bonus , and then play steam or your an originator EVERY book will cut you down somehow.

He is clearly after the bonus , im sorry but very few recreational players send $5k at a time only " whales" and you dont fit the profile pal.

Every poster likes to make it seem like he is the victim on his first posts but as the story unveals we often see the player was in foul play somehow.

So why even offer the big bonus? Ohhh so the books can freeroll on you.

**trixtrix** · 02-27-09, 06:59 PM

limit him ban him fine, but one cannot retroactively take the freeplay bonus granted to him in a prior commitment. betp is clearly in the wrong here if this is the case; at most if you no longer want his business, i'll begrudgingly accept pro-rating the bonus based on his completed roll-over. BUT OUTRIGHT CONFISCATION IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE

**SSLP** · 02-27-09, 06:59 PM

No my man , if you play at a recreational book the book has the ability to do this specially if your playing the line move. Any lines manager will tell you that.
I really dont buy the whole victim thing , I have seen to many in my day.

You lost credibility when you made a $5k mistake in my opinion.

**katstale** · 02-27-09, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by SSLP

I work at a book and have been for yearssss now.
If you send $10k in and get a big bonus and your playing sides and totals that are moving 30 seconds after you bet them . I am taking action every book will do this.. dont like it? dont play offshore and dont take a bonus.

I am seeing your point to a degree STP, but with the current liquidity problems after the USA money left the market--almost any bet of any size moves the line. Lets be fair abt that. 2 years ago I never moved lines with my bet size. I do it every day now. Often for as little as $250 a play. Now, is that really "steam"?

**SSLP** · 02-27-09, 07:04 PM

Kats i really dont know ur background as a player I agree with you I move lines sometimes with a$200 on a side in College but if your playing steam hey man thats why a book has its clauses. If you want to play like that.

The Greek / DSI will handle that action if you take a big % and then chase steam your bound to get cut down .. its only logical

**JohnnyC** · 02-27-09, 07:08 PM

Originally posted by trixtrix

limit him ban him fine, but one cannot retroactively take the freeplay bonus granted to him in a prior commitment. betp is clearly in the wrong here if this is the case; at most if you no longer want his business, i'll begrudgingly accept pro-rating the bonus based on his completed roll-over. BUT OUTRIGHT CONFISCATION IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE

Couldn't say it better myself.

I'd like to see Phoenix respond in this thread. Right now it seems their position is to ban me and return my balance.

This thread really pissed them off lol

**durito** · 02-27-09, 07:11 PM

how the hell did you get a 50% Free Play AND -105??

**JohnnyC** · 02-27-09, 07:12 PM

Btw, by whatever rollover requirements they require 8x, 10x whatever (they changed their conditions recently) I have met them.

**durito** · 02-27-09, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by SSLP

Kats i really dont know ur background as a player I agree with you I move lines sometimes with a$200 on a side in College but if your playing steam hey man thats why a book has its clauses. If you want to play like that.

The Greek / DSI will handle that action if you take a big % and then chase steam your bound to get cut down .. its only logical

1) Define steam

2) Go open a DSI account and bet a moving college hoops #, you'll be limited day 1

**JohnnyC** · 02-27-09, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by durito

how the hell did you get a 50% Free Play AND -105??

I lost my initial 5K deposit very quickly, They deemed it a profitable investment as it were I guess.

LOL I GUESS IT IS IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE BONUS.

**SSLP** · 02-27-09, 07:13 PM

they are showing him the back door and sending him his money. How is that foul play?

Foul play is not paying someone , he is getting his balance .

**JohnnyC** · 02-27-09, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by SSLP

they are showing him the back door and sending him his money. How is that foul play?

Foul play is not paying someone , he is getting his balance .

hi Jamie.

**trixtrix** · 02-27-09, 07:19 PM

taking away an earned bonus is the same as confiscating part of his balance/winnings

**RJbetphoenix** · 02-27-09, 07:19 PM

If you played your own opinion it would be different. What I am being told is that you are on every board move. Literally every play you have, you are after the move, not before it. No actuary...just looking to beat the number to its destination.

Also, for the record, you have not even touched the freeplay at the time it was removed, so your rollover had yet to be determined.

State your case and do your thing, you have every right to be heard...just keep it factual.

SSLP is not an employee. I am the only one who will be here to respond to this.