1. #1
    Sleepless
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    Bovada stiffing a player for winning - A new low for a sportsbook

    I have been playing on Bovada for a few months. I made a total of 4 deposits totaling $10185. I completely lost the first 3 and ran the 4th one ($5500) up to $22588. On May 11, I requested a withdrawal for 10k. On May 11, I received the following email from Bovada:

    After a full review of the play in your account, we have found conclusive evidence of Bonus Abuse. Your actions were in violation of our players terms of agreement that can be found using this link: https://www.bovada.lv/help/bonuses-f...and-conditions. Your account will now remain permanently disabled and all winnings in your account have been forfeited. Please note that any accounts opened by you, or that are found to be linked to you will also be disabled, and any funds in those accounts will also be seized. Please contact customer service at the number below to arrange the return of your deposit amount. Regards, Bovada Security service@bovada.lv 1-888-263-0000

    I send them 2 different emails requesting an immediate explanation for this and do not receive a response. Eventually, I went on the live chat to request an explanation. They go on to explain that they have decided that I am a "skilled player" and because I received a deposit bonus, I was in violation of their bonus policy so they won't pay me my winnings. They "allowed" me to access to my account one time so that I can request a cash out of the amount that I deposited ($10185) and they deducted the $12,581 in winnings from my account balance before they permanently closed it.

    I have been betting sports for a long time and this is one of the most egregious things I have seen from a sportsbook. Essentially anyone who receives a bonus at Bovada could be denied payment of their winnings on the pretext of "bonus fraud" for being a "skilled player". This is straight up stiffing a player for an arbitrary reason that has nothing to do with the bets and it should not be tolerated by the betting community. They accepted the bets and continued to accept bets until I decided to make a cash out and only at that time was it decided that I was a skilled player. Had the bets lost, I'm certain they would have no problem allowing me to continue to deposit and bet. I believe this is not behavior of a supposed "A rated" sportsbook and in light of this behavior that their rating should be reviewed. Any advice or support would be greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    pologq
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    i would file a complaint and let SBR look into it with the book.

  3. #3
    JAKEPEAVY21
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    I love how these books can claim "bonus abuse" yet keep giving bonuses to the "abuser".

  4. #4
    scottgodson1985
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    what a joke for bovada

  5. #5
    PaperTrail07
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    yeah I don't take bonuses anymore---leaves a window of opportunity for them to penetrate you imo...the rollovers are also a big joke and they have a betting scale to the point that unless you take dogs....10X seems like 20 LOL...
    Points Awarded:

    pretentiousGuy gave PaperTrail07 2 Betpoint(s) for this post.


  6. #6
    Sleepless
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    How could a book that is willing to do something like this be deserving of the highest possible SBR rating? Since posting, I have learned that I am not the only one who has fallen victim of this scheme of theirs to avoid paying out players that won. What's the point of an A+ rating when a book that doesn't stiff winners can only get the same rating as a book that does? Is there anyone who believes that this book is not deserving of a lower rating?

  7. #7
    jedihyoju
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    seems like so many complaints from players associated with Bovada.

    A+ rated book really?

    hmmmm


  8. #8
    DISTROYA
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    books usually limit you and make rollover painful to complete, but taking money out thats already won for being a bonus abuser? They would get a bad rap real fast. Not making any conclusions but youre sure not leaving anything out sleepless? Thats a helluva lotta $$$

  9. #9
    Sleepless
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    Quote Originally Posted by DISTROYA View Post
    books usually limit you and make rollover painful to complete, but taking money out thats already won for being a bonus abuser? They would get a bad rap real fast. Not making any conclusions but youre sure not leaving anything out sleepless? Thats a helluva lotta $$$
    It has happened to at least one other person on here who I have encouraged to post in this thread. Their position is that their terms state that bonuses are for recreational players only and if someone receives a bonus who they deem is a "skillful player" (which is obviously enormously subjective) then they have a right to not pay that person their winnings. My position is a bet is a bet and the entity who lost has an obligation to honor it if they want to be considered reputable. They are freerolling anyone who accepts a bonus that they offer by being able to call them a skillful player if they win and refusing to pay. How many losing players get deemed skillful players and have their losses refunded? Zero I would presume. I wasn't a skillful player when I lost my first 3 deposits and they allowed me to continue to redeposit and continue to play. Heck, they encouraged me to do so by continuing to offer me a redeposit bonus after lost my deposit. It was only when I won, and requested a cash out, was this arbitrarily decided. If I had not requested a cash out, they would have been more than happy to continue to freeroll me since if I won more they still were not going to pay and if I lost it all they would have continued to offer me bonuses to redeposit and play.

  10. #10
    Optional
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    Send in a Sportsbook Complaint form and we can ask a manger to review this for you.

  11. #11
    DontTailMe
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    This is the second similar complaint in recent weeks. Bovada cancelling out legitimate wins because a "non-recreational" player received a bonus. This new trend from them is very troubling. VERY unethical.

    Even worse, in both cases, Bovada had ample opportunity to observe the player and determine if they were skillful or not prior to giving the final bonus which led to the issue. But even if this weren't true, I have major issues with a book finding any loophole to essentially FREE ROLL a player. I don't care if it's in their rules.

  12. #12
    pologq
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    if this is how Bovada is going to function that rating better come down real fast

  13. #13
    Ksherm
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    Another good book down the tubes...

  14. #14
    DISTROYA
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    yep...dime a dozen

  15. #15
    Sleepless
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    Quote Originally Posted by Optional View Post
    Send in a Sportsbook Complaint form and we can ask a manger to review this for you.
    I've tried to submit a complaint using 3 different browsers. I fill the form out, complete the captcha, and click submit but nothing happens. Is there a problem with the complaint page?

  16. #16
    HedgeHog
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sleepless View Post
    I've tried to submit a complaint using 3 different browsers. I fill the form out, complete the captcha, and click submit but nothing happens. Is there a problem with the complaint page?
    I have experienced that too. It got me thinking that they should have a complaint form for the SBR complaint form, and of course that wouldn't work either. Another option is to email help@sportsbookreview.com

  17. #17
    crinkledaces
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    Bovada is nothing but a scam!!! I had something very similar happen to me. Beware dont play there its a joke ran by a bunch of morons!!!!!


    Stay away from bovada!!!

    5dimes is way more legit and has better odds anyways!

  18. #18
    DoctorStrong
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    Bovada take usa players?

  19. #19
    crinkledaces
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    Everyone should spam this on their facebook!

  20. #20
    crinkledaces
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  21. #21
    SBR Forum
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sleepless View Post
    I've tried to submit a complaint using 3 different browsers. I fill the form out, complete the captcha, and click submit but nothing happens. Is there a problem with the complaint page?

    Still nothing here, we sent an email to your registered forum email address.

  22. #22
    crinkledaces
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    Im in about 20 poker groups on facebook I shared it in every one of them! lets see how many people we can prevent this from happening to

  23. #23
    Sleepless
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    Quote Originally Posted by SBR Forum View Post
    Still nothing here, we sent an email to your registered forum email address.
    I appreciate that. I have emailed you the details.

  24. #24
    Sleepless
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    Quote Originally Posted by crinkledaces View Post
    Im in about 20 poker groups on facebook I shared it in every one of them! lets see how many people we can prevent this from happening to
    I appreciate you spreading the word. I would hate to see this happen to more people and it's our best defense against sportsbooks who think they can take advantage of customers with impunity.

  25. #25
    statengo
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    It's hard enough as it is to play these games and for the most part (for most of us), to lose money. Then, when one of us happens to get lucky and get some of our money back, they pull crap like this. So unfair. Does Bovada or any of the books not know that this affects their reputation with ALL players?? I'm less likely to keep a large amount of money there and I'm also less likely to play more when they do stuff like this.

    I don't do bonuses...never have and never will. The first time I read the mumbo jumbo on the sites, I knew right then and there those things were trap doors. I hate stuff like that with all types of crazy strings attached. Like I said, it already takes a lot of trust to put your money into one of these books and then more trust to play their games -- which for the most part -- they WIN! So what if one of us on this forum get lucky every now and then. Why not just let some folks win and talk about it and that will lure more of us into the book to bet more. Seriously. I would rather have heard you won that amount and withdrew it without incident --- I guarantee you Bovada would have made all that and then some off of us on this forum. Guaranteed. In a short amount of time too. It's like buying lottery tickets. You hear someone won some money and you go out and buy some, too. Most people don't win. But when we hear that someone won some money, it encourages us to take some risks and it makes us happy that we get a chance at the insane odds of winning some too.

    I just wish that someone would explain this to these sportsbooks. Make us want to give you our money. Get some good stories of people winning money out there. That will only encourage more players. Casinos know this.

  26. #26
    statengo
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    Does 5 Dimes do stuff like this too? Just curious? I have played with them a few times but never won anything. Before I go about reloading my account there, I just wanted to get some opinions about their reputation. I can't play with books that have bad reps for not paying winners. That really sucks.

    I've heard good things about 5D though so hopefully that is a good site. Please share your opinions. Thanks

  27. #27
    Sleepless
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    Quote Originally Posted by statengo View Post
    It's hard enough as it is to play these games and for the most part (for most of us), to lose money. Then, when one of us happens to get lucky and get some of our money back, they pull crap like this. So unfair. Does Bovada or any of the books not know that this affects their reputation with ALL players?? I'm less likely to keep a large amount of money there and I'm also less likely to play more when they do stuff like this.

    I don't do bonuses...never have and never will. The first time I read the mumbo jumbo on the sites, I knew right then and there those things were trap doors. I hate stuff like that with all types of crazy strings attached. Like I said, it already takes a lot of trust to put your money into one of these books and then more trust to play their games -- which for the most part -- they WIN! So what if one of us on this forum get lucky every now and then. Why not just let some folks win and talk about it and that will lure more of us into the book to bet more. Seriously. I would rather have heard you won that amount and withdrew it without incident --- I guarantee you Bovada would have made all that and then some off of us on this forum. Guaranteed. In a short amount of time too. It's like buying lottery tickets. You hear someone won some money and you go out and buy some, too. Most people don't win. But when we hear that someone won some money, it encourages us to take some risks and it makes us happy that we get a chance at the insane odds of winning some too.

    I just wish that someone would explain this to these sportsbooks. Make us want to give you our money. Get some good stories of people winning money out there. That will only encourage more players. Casinos know this.
    Couldn't agree with this more. The smartest books that last forever know that the most valuable asset that they have is their reputation. Without it, all they have is a domain name.

  28. #28
    Sleepless
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    Quote Originally Posted by statengo View Post
    Does 5 Dimes do stuff like this too? Just curious? I have played with them a few times but never won anything. Before I go about reloading my account there, I just wanted to get some opinions about their reputation. I can't play with books that have bad reps for not paying winners. That really sucks.

    I've heard good things about 5D though so hopefully that is a good site. Please share your opinions. Thanks
    In my experience, 5D used to be very shady at times but the way they have handled themselves since sports shut down has been as good as anyone. No excuses about paying, didn't cut payout limits, and essentially conducted business usual at a time when many in the market acted in a way that they absolutely shouldn't have and used the pandemic as an excuse. Their payout process, particularly for the first time, is rather obnoxious but the way that they handled themselves at a very difficult time made me view them as one of the most reputable books operating now.

  29. #29
    DontTailMe
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    Quote Originally Posted by statengo View Post
    It's hard enough as it is to play these games and for the most part (for most of us), to lose money. Then, when one of us happens to get lucky and get some of our money back, they pull crap like this. So unfair. Does Bovada or any of the books not know that this affects their reputation with ALL players?? I'm less likely to keep a large amount of money there and I'm also less likely to play more when they do stuff like this.

    I don't do bonuses...never have and never will. The first time I read the mumbo jumbo on the sites, I knew right then and there those things were trap doors. I hate stuff like that with all types of crazy strings attached. Like I said, it already takes a lot of trust to put your money into one of these books and then more trust to play their games -- which for the most part -- they WIN! So what if one of us on this forum get lucky every now and then. Why not just let some folks win and talk about it and that will lure more of us into the book to bet more. Seriously. I would rather have heard you won that amount and withdrew it without incident --- I guarantee you Bovada would have made all that and then some off of us on this forum. Guaranteed. In a short amount of time too. It's like buying lottery tickets. You hear someone won some money and you go out and buy some, too. Most people don't win. But when we hear that someone won some money, it encourages us to take some risks and it makes us happy that we get a chance at the insane odds of winning some too.

    I just wish that someone would explain this to these sportsbooks. Make us want to give you our money. Get some good stories of people winning money out there. That will only encourage more players. Casinos know this.
    I have made a lot of money accepting bonuses over the years. They aren't a problem if you know what you're doing. Sketchy books might pull shenanigans like this with bonuses, but highly rated books typically do not. That's why this case is very concerning. If a book makes this their policy, then they no longer belong in the upper (or even middle) tier of sportsbooks IMO.

  30. #30
    jedihyoju
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    If this is true (which I think it is cause numerous similar complaints about BOVADA last few days)

    Bovada's rating should be downgraded for sure.

  31. #31
    JoeCool20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sleepless View Post
    Couldn't agree with this more. The smartest books that last forever know that the most valuable asset that they have is their reputation. Without it, all they have is a domain name.
    What bets were you making to win all that $$$$ without any sports going on? Juswondrin

  32. #32
    Colonist
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    I've been a regular with Bovada for a couple of months now. I'm a consistent loser in their casino, poker and I've been suckered out of thousands in their NFL simulated games. The only thing that I have been mildly successful with on the site is their fixed wagering horse racing product. Overall, I've been a big loser with them. Their response to my mild level of success in that one area (fixed odds horse racing)? They have reduced my maximum wager to a level of $50 (sometimes less depending on the track). Meanwhile, they will let me bet as much as I want on their shady simulated fake NFL games. I've complained about them reducing me in the one area that I do want to play and they give me a bs line about their racebook manager setting the limits. Frustrating and bush league.

  33. #33
    Optional
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sleepless View Post
    In my experience, 5D used to be very shady at times
    5Dimes has treated you "shady" as well?

    Was was that about? Bonus related too?

  34. #34
    Pinocchio
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    Very unethical?

    It's straight up theft!
    Nomination(s):
    This post was nominated 1 time . To view the nominated thread please click here. People who nominated: Brian Hast

  35. #35
    Miz
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    Thank you for sharing this. best of luck in recovering your funds. Did you have multiple accounts ? That is usually the only way books totally stiff people. Or did you have a friend over on your wifi that also logged in? I've been paid many times by them, and this is disturbing news that I am wondering if it is related to financial trouble from the pandemic.

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