[DaniMK]

Hi,

After 12 years as a Betfair customer, my account was closed 3 weeks ago. They requested me some documents and, after I sent them, I received a reply confirming that everything was OK. After a few days, my account was closed, with no reason from the Customer Service, even after I contacted them.

I have been earning money year after year, paying the 40% Premium Charge for a good number of years, and never had any problem until now. I have a very big amount of money in my account, and at this point I don't know what to do, I don't even know what's the problem. I already filed a complaint last week, where I explain the case in more detail.

[Optional]

Welcome to Stars ownership.

[jedihyoju]

Hi,

After 12 years as a Betfair customer, my account was closed 3 weeks ago. They requested me some documents and, after I sent them, I received a reply confirming that everything was OK. After a few days, my account was closed, with no reason from the Customer Service, even after I contacted them.

I have been earning money year after year, paying the 40% Premium Charge for a good number of years, and never had any problem until now. I have a very big amount of money in my account, and at this point I don't know what to do, I don't even know what's the problem. I already filed a complaint last week, where I explain the case in more detail.

How much money in the closed account?

[turk0011]

What is the latest situation?

[DaniMK]

I suppose you are refering to the merge with PokerStars but, what does it change? Are they going to change the way Betfair is managed? I don't have much knowledge about the industry in general, so I don't know if those kind of practices are typical of them or other gambling companies.

The latest situation is, I contacted the Escalations team, and they can't provide a reason for the closure. I am awaiting more information from them. Sports betting has been my main source of income during the last years, so for me this is devastating, this is affecting me to the point of having difficulty sleeping at night. I'd like to know if there is anything I can do at this point, or I have to simply wait for an update.

[Optional]

I suppose you are refering to the merge with PokerStars but, what does it change? Are they going to change the way Betfair is managed? I don't have much knowledge about the industry in general, so I don't know if those kind of practices are typical of them or other gambling companies.

The latest situation is, I contacted the Escalations team, and they can't provide a reason for the closure. I am awaiting more information from them. Sports betting has been my main source of income during the last years, so for me this is devastating, this is affecting me to the point of having difficulty sleeping at night. I'd like to know if there is anything I can do at this point, or I have to simply wait for an update.

Yes I think we will find Stars management does this to more and more long term winners at Betfair. Especially if you are able to still profit on top of the premium charge.

[ZAMAZA]

Hi DaniMK

What country do you bet from?

[DaniMK]

Yes I think we will find Stars management does this to more and more long term winners at Betfair. Especially if you are able to still profit on top of the premium charge.

But, doesn't Stars come from the poker business, where I suppose they don't go against winners? Are they going to change their behaviour when they enter a new business? Anyway, I suppose that they have to provide a reason sooner or later.

Hi DaniMK
What country do you bet from?

Republic of Ireland.

[Foxx]

Sorry to hear this DaniMK. Seems like there has been a lot more Betfair complaints about account closures the last few months, especially from customers who have had accounts for 10+ years. If I recall correctly, at least a few of them got sorted out favorably for the player and the account restored. I hope you get it worked out. Please keep us informed.

I know you said your account has been profitable. Do you still make a lot of deposits though? I know they get picky about source of funds.

[kkkkk]

Stars management ? - that will explain why i was accused of miss issue on poker, when i dont play poker since 8 years but i think i had some account with PS.

By the way i heard that since yesterday players from some countries cant access the site - so there is something going on in the last months with betfair - that will lead to its end sooner or later.

[Optional]

But, doesn't Stars come from the poker business, where I suppose they don't go against winners? Are they going to change their behaviour when they enter a new business? Anyway, I suppose that they have to provide a reason sooner or later.

Republic of Ireland.

Stars already run betstars.com in Malta, Foxbet in USA, Skybet in UK, Beteasy in Australia.

It's very clear that they are savage about only wanting rec bettors and losers and are not fair minded in disputes.

Worst possible organization to have purchased Betfair.

[ZAMAZA]

that will lead to its end sooner or later.

Another book will take its place...

[DaniMK]

Sorry to hear this DaniMK. Seems like there has been a lot more Betfair complaints about account closures the last few months, especially from customers who have had accounts for 10+ years. If I recall correctly, at least a few of them got sorted out favorably for the player and the account restored. I hope you get it worked out. Please keep us informed.

I know you said your account has been profitable. Do you still make a lot of deposits though? I know they get picky about source of funds.

I haven't made a deposit since at least 10 years ago. I started with a relatively small amount, all funds I have in my account have been earned through my betting activity.

Stars already run betstars.com in Malta, Foxbet in USA, Skybet in UK, Beteasy in Australia.

It's very clear that they are savage about only wanting rec bettors and losers and are not fair minded in disputes.

Worst possible organization to have purchased Betfair.

I had no idea they have such a bad reputation. As I said before, I don't have much knowledge about the industry, I didn't knew they already manage several bookmakers, the only part of them I knew was PokerStars.

[Foxx]

I haven't made a deposit since at least 10 years ago. I started with a relatively small amount, all funds I have in my account have been earned through my betting activity.

Good luck. I guess you just have to wait and see at this point. With the details provided, I imagine that you will at least get your money back but maybe no longer welcome.

What's markets do you play? Betting live? Any chance you are courtsiding?

[Mediterranean]

It seems to be the other way around.

"On 2 October 2019, Flutter Entertainment announced that it would acquire the Canadian gambling company, The Stars Group, for US$6.95 billion, ..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flutter_Entertainment

[stefan084]

do these problems include both the Betfair sportsbook and the exchange or are they considered separate entities?

[kkkkk]

Mostly the exchange. The sportsbook is like any other sportsbook and there are sportsbooks that are more attractive

The exchange is another story - no limits, no hurdles

[KarlReverud]

It seems to be the other way around.

"On 2 October 2019, Flutter Entertainment announced that it would acquire the Canadian gambling company, The Stars Group, for US$6.95 billion, ..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flutter_Entertainment

It's practically a merger with Flutter shareholders getting 55% of the new company and Stars Group shareholders getting 45%.

[DaniMK]

Good luck. I guess you just have to wait and see at this point. With the details provided, I imagine that you will at least get your money back but maybe no longer welcome.

What's markets do you play? Betting live? Any chance you are courtsiding?

I almost always bet pre-match, very rarely live, so no chances of courtsiding or any other thing that can be considered illegal in live betting. I usually bet on football (soccer) matches, mostly Match Odds and Over/Under markets.

[stefan084]

I don't understand what would be an issue for any exchange. you bet ,they take a percentage. why would they care who wins or loses?

[Dran68]

@stefan084 Problem with exchanges is there're usually seeding the smaller markets with their own money.

[Optional]

I don't understand what would be an issue for any exchange. you bet ,they take a percentage. why would they care who wins or loses?

It seems like a simple and easy way to make money.

But a few Betfair operations around the world have closed down or been sold due to not being profitable over the years.


It appears the overhead of operating the exchange is more than the standard 5% commission they started out charging.

[kkkkk]

betfair officialy blocked players from many countries where they operated unofficially ( like Russia ) and the liquidity is down by 60 - 80 % right now.... ( i exclude the 10 k @1.01 after game is finished ) ...

either they change the strategy or they prepare to get a license

[DaniMK]

Already one month with the account closed, and no news. Currently awaiting an update from a team reviewing my account.

[Foxx]

Any news DaniMK?

[Peraltabet]

Betfair since 2014 lost alots Customers , almost 75% of the customers are people who makes Matchbetting, with countrys being regulated thats over , and that % of customers disapear ... gonna should u an example in 2014 on Europe the country that give more money to betfair was a litle country called Portugal (12 Millions ) and you know why , everyone make big money at that time on matchbetting when bookies offer miraculoses bonus sign up. No that it ends (90%) all cross europe, they have made a study & can t take a license cause it bad business medium / long term.
i know that cause i spoke with them in afiliates conferences...

after that it starts bad behavior like acounts closed and hard KYC , its money rules specially when a country is targeted .
Recently Russia was blocked and if betfair not take license it means alots bonus hunters / matchbetting on Past.

Thats the only reason why they are tryng to sell the enterprise. Pokerstars group wanna buy cause the have the monopoly arround EU.

[Foxx]

It's a shame what has happened to them the last decade after going public, instituting the first PC, then super PC, then merging with Paddy, now merging with PokerStars. The golden years before all that was incredible for horse racing.

[DaniMK]

Any news DaniMK?

No news, they are still reviewing my account, after I asked them again.

[Foxx]

I can't imagine what's taking so long, especially since you requested escalation. Maybe you need to request a deadlock letter and take it to mediation. There is protocols in place for that. Should be easy to find. At least you should be able to get the money back if you did nothing wrong.

[DaniMK]

Finally, after several months, my account has been reopened.

I still don't know what the problem was, but I hope I don't have to experience something similar again.

[Optional]

Finally, after several months, my account has been reopened.

I still don't know what the problem was, but I hope I don't have to experience something similar again.

Great news. Thanks for updating the thread.