Sportsbook.com to stop taking new U.S. players

[beyondthebets]

Forgive me if this is already posted. I went a few pages back to check and didn't see anything. But, it appears that Sportsbook.com is pulling out of the U.S. and will no longer take new customers, effective May 1.

The question, of course, is whether or not other books will follow suit.

Source: http://bit.ly/fhCC65

[SBR_John]

They will not be missed.

[stevex]

Isn't Sportsbook a key book in the offshore industry?

[beyondthebets]

They will not be missed.

I hate Sportsbook.com and their D- SBR rating is completely justified. They are dishonest and screw their customers and are often uncooperative. But, they are still one of the five biggest "name books" in the industry, and so I think we have to take this move seriously.

Part of me thinks this is a strategic move by Sportsbook. They can lay low in the summer months and see if the federal government tries to take any action. If nothing happens by late August or early September, you better believe they'll be back for pro and college football.

[jackkkk2009]

only sportsbook.com or its whole family group?

[LordVodka]

Why are books becoming such pussies? The hell is going on here man?

[dialup_king]

soft book. I don't see anything on their website. Supposedly they are still allowing new U.S. players to join for a few more days

[LordVodka]

Someone explain to me what these books are afraid of? I thought the US can't touch the offshore?

[chilidog]

Someone explain to me what these books are afraid of? I thought the US can't touch the offshore?

Except when the US just decides to send US Marshalls into foreign countries (like, hmmm, I dunno, Costa Rica) to arrest certain Americans that owned certain sportsbooks.

[WileOut]

Why are books becoming such pussies? The hell is going on here man?

What other books are you referring to?

[stevex]

Any experts in here have any takes on this move? Will the big 3 follow suit?

[TheBeautifulGame]

It used to be the other way round, they didn't accept European customers due to their deal with sportingbet which expired a few years ago.

It's a huge deal if they pull out and why are they pulling out? Their domain name is GOLD which is the reason why they get so many customers. They catch people out that either, are not aware of the ratings here or are willing to take the risk with their endless processing issues and outright stealing of legitimate winnings (the correlated parlay issue+whatever other freerolling tactics).

The reason could be just that, their domain name has caught the attention of someone major anyway.

[LordVodka]

What other books are you referring to?

Well Matchbook. Why the hell are they afraid to take US customers?

[Legions36]

Damn they always paid me and good bonuses.

[TheBeautifulGame]

Damn they always paid me and good bonuses.

If you want to continue playing there, you shouldn't have a problem because you have an existing account. The OP, just said new accounts so I assume existing accounts will be fine.

[WileOut]

Well Matchbook. Why the hell are they afraid to take US customers?

Not sure but I do miss matchbook. And like the above poster said sportsbook is still taking US action just no new accounts. matchbook pulled out completely.

[LordVodka]

I'm a member there so I don't care but this can't be a good thing.

[Petenana15]

I am a member and bet here a lot. SO they said they will not accept new US customers but will they let current customers still make new deposits?

[jgilmartin]

Strange if that article is true. They will continue to take action (and presumably deposits) from current US clients, but won't accept new ones? Also, the heading says "Sportsbook.com to Stop Accepting New US Players for Summer", kind of implying they would resume taking new US clients in the fall. If they are doing this because they are worried about the US government going after them, why not go the whole way and kick out all US clients permanently? Seems like they could still be at risk depending on their payment processing, etc.

[bettorjon]

Well Matchbook. Why the hell are they afraid to take US customers?

the problem is your government. they just want vegas to take all your money so they could earn some income in the form of taxes.

[goblue12]

Sounds like it's just for the summer and just for US customers.

I'm sure they will be back up and accepting new 20-year old $20 favorite parlay players come football season.

[Kindred]

yeah I read that, could care less about them but hope it doesn't become a trend. Especially for the poker rooms, new blood is always needed.

VIP.com did this when UIGA passed and I can still play there so not a big deal, just hope more sites don't follow suit

[RickySteve]

Leavenworth is probably the safest place for them, especially *****, ******, *******, ******, ******, *****, & ***** *******.

[Coming Back!]

They will not be missed.

Just about sums that one up perfectly in a few words......

[boscokid]

They will not be missed.

yes good riddance

[Santo]

Seems an odd move though, a halfway measure that seems unlikely to satisfy prosecutors.

[Legions36]

If you want to continue playing there, you shouldn't have a problem because you have an existing account. The OP, just said new accounts so I assume existing accounts will be fine.

Thanks for the help and clarification.

[chilidog]

Leavenworth is probably the safest place for them, especially *****, ******, *******, ******, ******, *****, & ***** *******.

I have several friends that work at books that use fake names, as instructed by their bosses.

[onlooker]

Damn. I was thinking about signing up. Oh well.

[1984mountaineer]

I had been screwing around with small wagers on sportsbook for the past couple years. Lost about $50 and never went back until recently with the poker being shutdown elsewhere, I knew sportsbook had poker to play.

I contacted the live chat who told me I would have nothing to worry about and things were normal for US players and there were no signs of that changing. This was on 4/24. I put in a couple hundred bucks, and through playing poker and getting lucky on a couple stupid parlays, I've quadrupled my money.

Then I hear this. So I go back to the live chat feature to speak to a new rep. She starts off by saying that "none of [article] is true." I explain that I'm a little concerned that a rep tells me I'm fine, prompting me to deposit and almost immediately I hear it's not true. I ask her again if it is not true and point out even more details from the article. She then admits that it IS true! But that I will still be fine. Enough with the play by play.... here's our chat:

Carol Brooks: Hello there!
Chris: Hello Carol. Is the news of US players being shut out of Sportsbook.com true?
Carol Brooks: No that is not true.
Carol Brooks: Regarding the recent news of some Internet Gaming Companies encountering legal issues, we can inform you that we have not been affected by these recent events. We will continue to provide a safe and secure gaming experience for our players
Chris: Ok, because there is an article out stating that beginning May 1st, US players will be shutout of Sportsbook.com. I was assured a couple days ago I had nothing to worry about, deposited money, and now see this. I just want to make sure.
Carol Brooks: I can confirm there is not a problem with our site at the moment.
Chris: At the moment. Do you know anything of this May 1st date that is being thrown around? I just don't want to be stuck since I have $X,XXX.00 in there and not allowed to withdrawal yet.
Carol Brooks: We do not have any problem with it, after the 1st no more US players will be accepted but the rest is as normal.
Chris: The very first thing you said to me was that none of what I asked was true. Which one is it? So will I still be able to play since I am a current member? Will I be able to cash out after May 1st? Deposit?
Carol Brooks: Yes what we will not accept is new customers.

[RickySteve]

Leavenworth is probably the safest place for them, especially *****, ******, *******, ******, ******, *****, & ***** *******.

You're protecting the identity of criminals?

[Mikail]

I still have funds there and an active account. Everything is fine.

[frankthetank]

all the books with any assets in america will , at least temporarily, suspend taking on new US clients. BetUS, Sportsbook.com basically all of them. I think Bodog may be on eof the only ones who won't. and even they may do so.

[John Dough]

all the books with any assets in america will , at least temporarily, suspend taking on new US clients. BetUS, Sportsbook.com basically all of them. I think Bodog may be on eof the only ones who won't. and even they may do so.

Define "assets in America" please.

[frankthetank]

sorry, I should clarify. anybook with any investments and property tied up in any U.S. bank will comply and try to behave from now on until things change for fear of confiscation or seizure. Only a few books operate completely outside of the US stronghold. The rest are just subjects of the petering Super Power like 70% of the rest of the world...