WillHill Closing all Australian accounts

**SBR Lou** · 05-29-12, 09:46 AM

Were you a relatively new account?

Existing players should be fine. We're speaking with management and obtaining more information.

**shari91** · 05-29-12, 09:48 AM

It's almost as bad as what bet365 did back in Oct/Nov when they started to pursue the Australian licence. Cut out gaming first and then dropped live betting out of the blue.

My guess would be that they're feeling heat because Aussies are using them for live betting and/or another big deal is going to go down between books that will see even more of them merge. Purely guesses on my part though.

ETA - Just saw Lou's post above. Not sure why it would just apply to newer accounts but that would be plausible too I suppose.

**muffins** · 05-29-12, 09:50 AM

Originally posted by SBR Lou

Were you a relatively new account?

Existing players should be fine. We're speaking with management and obtaining more information.

My account was at least 12 months old and I just got this same email,looks like sportsbetting cut off for all Aussies at WillHills. Ladbrokes don't allow us, see us all as arbers lol.

**SBR Lou** · 05-29-12, 09:57 AM

Did you guys have any balance, or no?

**muffins** · 05-29-12, 10:01 AM

No balance for me, account inactive lately.

**DitKent** · 05-29-12, 10:07 AM

I had a significant balance and yes I was pretty active with the account and opened it a few years ago

**DitKent** · 05-29-12, 10:09 AM

hmm weird I just placed a bet on the tennis thats on now and the nba tomorrow to test and see if it went through and they did

**SBR Lou** · 05-29-12, 10:36 AM

An SBR newswire went up regarding this. It will be added to as any additional facts are learned.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

**DitKent** · 05-29-12, 10:55 AM

CS rep said pending bets will be settled I believe..

**MatI** · 05-29-12, 08:03 PM

I received the email yesterday as well. I have an account which is funded and predominately used for live betting.

I just got off the live chat with CS rep from Will Hill and the rep said this only effects new account sign ups. Any exciting accounts will work as normal. Going by the response i have posted below, i am assuming they are leaving current customers to make their own decisions.

Bryan D: Effective from 23rd April 2012 we no longer accept new customers registered in Australia, however, if you have an account with us prior to this date you will be able to continue operating your account.
Bryan D: Unfortunately we are unable to confirm the legalities of Internet betting in every country around the world. If you are concerned about the legality of playing at our site it is a good idea to contact your local legal representatives to answer any related questions.

**shari91** · 05-29-12, 08:29 PM

Originally posted by MatI

I received the email yesterday as well. I have an account which is funded and predominately used for live betting.

I just got off the live chat with CS rep from Will Hill and the rep said this only effects new account sign ups. Any exciting accounts will work as normal. Going by the response i have posted below, i am assuming they are leaving current customers to make their own decisions.

Bryan D: Effective from 23rd April 2012 we no longer accept new customers registered in Australia, however, if you have an account with us prior to this date you will be able to continue operating your account.
Bryan D: Unfortunately we are unable to confirm the legalities of Internet betting in every country around the world. If you are concerned about the legality of playing at our site it is a good idea to contact your local legal representatives to answer any related questions.

To me that doesn't make sense. Why would they send existing customers an email about a policy that apparently went into effect over a month ago and that doesn't even affect the person receiving it?

**MatI** · 05-29-12, 08:36 PM

Agreed, sounds strange, and the date mentioned surprised me, but i didn't ask further on it.

Are they trying to create the impression of following Australian laws?

Or are they happy to keep some customers and not others? My unit sizes are only $100 so im no high roller. I've only been with them since B365 shut down their live betting service for us and I have been hitting on almost exactly 50 percent with them.

**MatI** · 05-30-12, 06:00 AM

Some great info from their CS rep earlier today. I just tried placing a bet on WillHill. It is no longer allowing me.

So much for that.

**Optional** · 05-30-12, 06:44 AM

So what is it really? No new accounts or no Aussies at all?

**Duff85** · 05-30-12, 06:59 AM

Oh noes I won't be able to put the $20 they would let me have on the NBA.

**Duff85** · 05-30-12, 07:03 AM

I got the email also - I do no live betting at all - guessing it has something to do with them entering the Aussie regulated market. Hence they had made the decision to shut down casino etc and emailed to say that a couple of days ago. I'd guess they have received some new legal advice to say they should down all sports betting as well for Aussies.

Won't miss that account - might open one at ladbrokes and see if they can limit faster.

**shari91** · 05-30-12, 07:09 AM

Originally posted by Duff85

I got the email also - I do no live betting at all - guessing it has something to do with them entering the Aussie regulated market. Hence they had made the decision to shut down casino etc and emailed to say that a couple of days ago. I'd guess they have received some new legal advice to say they should down all sports betting as well for Aussies.

Won't miss that account - might open one at ladbrokes and see if they can limit faster.

It's for a Nevada licence. Still not sure why sportsbetting had to go though. They should probably get their CS Reps up to speed with it all or they're going to be in for a few headaches over the next little while.

**DitKent** · 05-30-12, 07:11 AM

Just got an email from unibet with the same jist:

We would like to inform you that for legal reasons, Unibet will no longer be able to accept Australian players on its Unibet.com website. That means that your Unibet account will be closed by the 31st of May.

**shari91** · 05-30-12, 07:18 AM

Originally posted by DitKent

Just got an email from unibet with the same jist:

We would like to inform you that for legal reasons, Unibet will no longer be able to accept Australian players on its Unibet.com website. That means that your Unibet account will be closed by the 31st of May.

That's not too surprising though because they bought Betchoice earlier this year to enter the Aussie market. Timing seems rather coincidental but there wouldn't be a need for them to overlap and risk having Unibet be nabbed for anything when Betchoice is doing everything legally here.

**MatI** · 05-30-12, 08:08 AM

Originally posted by Optional

So what is it really? No new accounts or no Aussies at all?

Seems the CS reps didn't know shit. No access for Aussies at all.

**MatI** · 05-30-12, 11:28 PM

I've withdrawn all funds at WH today. Now looking for another book for live betting... i'm thinking of giving SBObet a go.

**tommygun** · 05-31-12, 12:14 AM

RIP Aussie betting.

I really used to enjoy playing some of the games at the Bet365 in their casino section.

**DitKent** · 05-31-12, 02:56 AM

ok damn just tried to place a bet again today and get this:
Alert - your bet has not been placed!
This country is blocked from betting on **{Other Sports****. Please contact customer services.

FML