Pinnacle takes back signup bonus after enquiry on withdrawal

[chingkuen]

I am already unlucky enough to have signed just a few days after they change the wagering requirement. After weeks of tough work with arbing, I completed the 7 times wagering and ended up with some winning.

Then I ask the CS some questions about withdrawal and a few minutes later the sign up bonus was removed. They claimed that I am holding more than one account and/or sharing the same IP/computer with someone.

I played from dormitory and used a free proxy service. So there is possibility that some body would access their site with an IP same as mine but I cannot possibly be responsible for this.

I sent them IDs and address proof. I am very certain that no body could have accessed their site with the same address as mine and that would make it crystal clear I only have one account. But they just keep on repeating that I have more than 1 accounts. My first deposit was made with a bank account with my own name. And none of my account has ever been used for any deposit with them. But they dont even look at the evidence.

I can imagine that the increase of the wagering requirement probably has some relation with this. Can the administrator help?

[Willie Bee]

Ching, you first have to understand that using a proxy that may be shared by many others only opens your account up to scrutiny. For example, the proxy you used to register here at SBR is one that has been used by spammers that have posted at this site. Not saying you're a spammer, just noting the problems you're setting yourself up for by using a proxy.

My suggestion is to fill out our complaint form and see what, if anything, our dispute folks can do. Good luck.

[AimingHigh]

I sent them IDs and address proof. I am very certain that no body could have accessed their site with the same address as mine and that would make it crystal clear I only have one account. But they just keep on repeating that I have more than 1 accounts. My first deposit was made with a bank account with my own name. And none of my account has ever been used for any deposit with them. But they dont even look at the evidence.

If it's one account per IP address and you used a proxy, then none of the above matters. That's why they're not looking at the "evidence" you provided.

As regards the proxy, you said:

I played from dormitory and used a free proxy service. So there is possibility that some body would access their site with an IP same as mine but I cannot possibly be responsible for this.

If Pinnacle have evidence of that, then I'm afraid that's all that matters.

After the bonus is removed, is the amount left in your account more than your original deposit? I know you mention "winnings", but I wanted to double-check. If more, and Pinnacle will let you withdraw this amount in addition to your original deposit, then I think they're acting more generously than many other sportsbooks would. In identical circumstances to yours, some sportsbooks would only give your original deposit back, and others would actually confiscate the entire balance!

Who knows, though, perhaps SBR can get Pinnacle to be even more generous! Otherwise, it's a cheap lesson in what books do when you break their rules. Sorry.

If you want to continue to receive bonuses in the future, you need to make sure that you use an IP address unique to you. If you can't/won't do that, the least you should do is e-mail the sportsbook before signing up, explaining your position (use of a proxy that may also be used by others playing at that sportsbook, ability to provide unique mailing address, ID), and asking whether they will honour a bonus given to you in those circumstances.

[Justin7]

Ching,

Why are you using a proxy?

You're fortunate that you're dealing with an A+ book. Many other books would take your winnings as well as your bonus.

[chingkuen]

Thanks for you guys reply. I am using a proxy simply because I am playing from a college dormitory. You dont want to be caught for gambling in college. How can bookies do the confiscation with evidence provided that I have got only one account? Many ISP assigns dynamic IPs. An expensive mobile connection I am using got a different IP almost every time. If they get all the evidence before them and they use the IP thing to find faults with players in order to confiscate winning, that is just a scam, right?

[Willie Bee]

I'm not up on the 'gambling in college' rules so can't really answer that. If the penalty is severe enough, i.e., booted from school with no credits/loss of scholarship, then my advice is to not do it at all. All I know is that when you use a proxy that is available to many others, you run the risk of this happening since so many scammers rely on that same proxy use.

[chingkuen]

I have filed a formal complaint while the pinny CS claims that they are forwarding the matter to some body responsible. I hope they mean their words.

I guess I will pick an unlimited access plan for my mobile connection and use it for my home pc but I am concerned that it would still run the same risk given that I am assigned a different IP every time I connect.

[chingkuen]

Issues solved. Pinnacle is understanding and give me back the bonus. Thanks for the intervention of SBR.

[Chopsticks]

You got very lucky and you should praise who or what ever you believe in that you are dealing with an A+(+++) book. I hope you don't do this again.

If you are arbing and bonus hunting on a regular basis, meaning that you would sign up to a lot of different bookies, then you should really look in to getting your own connection. You could probably get a really cheap wireless pay-per-hour/use or something like that. It beats getting bonuses confiscated. It may be slow if it is cheap, but it will save you money in the long run.

[Pokerjoe]

What if he's in the USA? Doesn't he have to use a proxy IP to bet from there?

[Justin7]

What if he's in the USA? Doesn't he have to use a proxy IP to bet from there?

If you use a proxy and they catch it, you are asking for a big headache. If you live in the US, you need to do one of two things. 1. Pass on Pinnacle, or 2. Move outside the US (quite a few people have done this just for Pinny).

[username474]

I would not say they catch all proxys or VPN , but when you do use a proxy make sure you have your own IP address. You can find a proxy service with your own personal IP address for 5.00 a month.

[Pokerjoe]

Justin, I understand. But I think you can set up an address outside the US, get an account, and then bet from the US anonymizing your IP. Bank through Moneybooker, etc. Apparently doable because it seems everytime I'm playing cards in Vegas someone tells me they bet at Pinnacle from here. Usually it's something of a brag.

[Lucas]

bookies have to adjust for times that are coming
using a proxy or VPN is common and will be necessary, it is not just security thing to use VPN, simply the internet is losing its freedom everyday more and more

- you can not download what you want because you are pirate
- even if you can, you get ridiculous download limits
- soon you can not bet from certain euro countries like estonia
- you can not watch your streams, even prepaid etc etc

IMO bookies ITSELF have to provide VPNs