The best thing about Americans is that we don't quit and we certainly don't take shit from anyone. It's in our blood, and the world has learned this over the last couple of centuries. We are remembered the fallen on Memorial Day yesterday-- the countless men and women who gave their lives for ours.
Well in the spirit of not backing down as well as protecting other Americans, I am about to rip the shit out of sportsbook.com. I know I'll never get a nickel they owe me, and I'd feel horrible if I didn't post this loudly so that perhaps another unsuspecting player bets with them and is unable to collect their winnings. I feel I'm uniquely qualified to do so because I get social media pretty well - when I searched for reviews on sportsbook.com before I played, I couldn't find anything sustantial on them. I'm happy to say my SEO team will make sure anyone looking to vet sportsbook.com will find this post.
The short of it is, I found sportsbook.com online, bet, eventually won and after a litany of excuses from them, I understand I will never get paid.
I unfortunately found the site on my own without a recommendation, just stumbled upon them on the web. As mentioned, I tried to find info on them, but like the other places I checked out, they all looked the same, similar deposit bonuses, etc. So, I signed up, played a little on games and lost. Played a little more and lost, then came the NCAA National Championship between the Butler Bulldogs and the University of Connenticut Huskies.
I am a big fan of Indiana University stats prof Wayne Winston (@winston3453). He is the author of Mathletics and his blog is about applying math to athletics to better predict outcomes. Like an economist, Wayne uses data to explain why things happened -- but unlike economists, he takes a shot at predicting outcomes. I like the cache. On April 3rd, Wayne posted on Twitter that Butler only had a 1/3 chance of beating UConn. I laid the points and went against the pride of Indianapolis.
April 4, 2011 - UConn defeats Butler.
April 6 - I request to withdrawal all funds in the account (with the intention of closing it).
April 15
1:59 pm
Sportsbook.com
Dear Michael,I am writing to inform you of an unfortunate situation with one of our withdrawal processing partners, which affected your processed check for $XXXXXX requested from your account XXXXXXXX on 4/6/2011.
To be frank, since the UIGEA was passed over 2 years ago it has had varied success in clamping down on banking transactions involved with online gaming, these rare and unwelcome issues do occur but please rest assured your funds are completely safe and so is our ability to continue serving your gaming needs.
Unfortunately, as a result of this some of our processors experience intermittent difficulties to get your withdrawals to you. Such a situation has arisen with your latest withdrawal identified above. The processor has advised that effective from April 12th they have been notified that checks will not be cleared by the handling bank. What this means is that if you deposited the check prior to April 12th it will clear but if you deposited from the 12th onwards it will not clear but bounce. If you have not deposited the check yet please do not do so, as it will bounce.We are working with the processor to have this resolved as soon as possible and will give you an update as soon as we have further information which will be early next week. In the meantime please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this situation causes you.
3:14 pm
Me: No worries, I deposited the check on the 8th, so we'll be fine.
April 20
6:44 am
Me: The check bounced and I incurred a fee. This is ridiculous. Wire the funds at your expense today.
Que: Benny Hill and continue reading
April 21
4:15 am
Sportsbook.com:
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
We really apologize for this situation. In order to complete the process of returning funds in your account faster, we need you to please send us a copy of the bounced check or the statement where the bank informed you that the check bounced.
7:55 am
Me:
How are you going to get me the funds? Wire or another check? You told me the check was going to bounce and now you need proof that it did?
8:11 am
Me:
Look, I have tried to get my money for a couple of weeks now. First you couldn't wire to my bank. Then you sent a check that bounced. How are you getting me these funds today?
3:09 pm
Sportsbook.com:
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
Please scan your documents and upload them using our secure form here. <https://services.gamingsystem.net/csWebMailForm/gui/csWebMailForm.php?toEmail...
The scanned documents in total should not exceed 5MB in size. If you have saved your images as .jpg files, they will be compressed and size should not present a problem.
If you don't have access to a scanner you can use a digital camera (or your phone) to take a clear photograph of the required documentation. You can then upload the image to your computer as a jpeg file and send it to us via the secure form.
If you use your phone, you can navigate to our secure form using your phone's internet browser or simply choose the 'email' option to send the image to us.
Again, please make sure that the image clearly shows all the relevant info. It must be in focus and adequately lit so that all text on the documentation is legible.
You can also email the information to Documents@gamingsuppport.net
Sportsbook.com
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
We really apologize for this situation. In order to complete the process of returning funds in your account faster, we need you to please send us a copy of the bounced check or the statement where the bank informed you that the check bounced.
8:51 pm Me:
Just received this message from your Withdraw Dept:
If you deposited the check prior last week's communication and have received notice that it was returned unpaid, please email us a scanned copy of the returned check and on receipt, we will immediately credit the funds back into your gaming account. In addition, if you incurred any charges due to this, please forward a copy of the statement detailing these to enable us to credit these to your V-Chip balance.
You won't give me my cash??? instead want me to keep betting until it's gone? No. Wire the money! I am believing your company is a sham.
1:56 pm
Sportsbook.com
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
To allow us to resolve this issue more efficiently, please send us a copy of the check which was returned from your bank. We apologize for any inconvenience this issue has caused and can assure you that your documentation will be reviewed as soon as possible once received so this matter can be resolved without any further undue delay.
You can scan and upload the documents in our secure form here.
The scanned documents in total should not exceed 5MB in size. If you have saved your images as .jpg files, they will be compressed and size should not present a problem.
Once we have fully reviewed your documents we will email you with an update.
2:02 pm
Me: Attached. The link you provided doesn’t work (I am not surprised).
April 22
10:39 am
Sportsbook.com:
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience. Our supervisor email is Aston.K@sportsbook.com Please note In order to solve this issue sooner please send us the copy of the bounced check through the secure link.
10:41 am
Me:
I have already uploaded the returned check image and received a confirmation from you on 4/21 at 3:30 pm CST.
April 24
8:44 am
Sportsbook.com:
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
Please accept our pologies for the inconvenience caused. To allow us to resolve this issue more efficiently, please send us a copy of the check which was returned from your bank. We apologize for any inconvenience this issue has caused and can assure you that your documentation will be reviewed as soon as possible once received so this matter can be resolved without any further undue delay.
You can scan and upload the documents in our secure form here. <https://services.gamingsystem.net/csWebMailForm/gui/csWebMailForm.php?toEmail...
The scanned documents in total should not exceed 5MB in size. If you have saved your images as .jpg files, they will be compressed and size should not present a problem.
Once we have fully reviewed your documents we will email you with an update.
8:49 am
Me:
You already have a copy of the bounced check. You sent me an email before it bounced saying it was going to bounce. This is turning into a farce. I need the email of a supervisor now.
April 27
2:04 pm
Sportsbook.com
Thank you for contacting us.
We have received your email and are assigning it to a representative. If you sent in documentation which was unclear or further information is required to resolve your account issue, you will be emailed as soon as possible with a detailed description of what we still require.
Please note that it can take up to 72 hours for us to fully review the information, so we kindly ask that you remain patient.
May 4
5:57 pm
Sportsbook.com
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
This is a quick message to inform you that we need you to enter that information on the cashier.
6:00 pm
Me:
I already did - 10 days ago.
May 5
8:17 am
Me:
What are you asking? I am sure you understand how frustrated I am trying to get my money out for a month, right? How does this get finished now?
12:55 pm
Sportsbook.com:
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience. Please make the request of your withdrawal online in order to start the processing time frame on the funds.
12:57 pm
Me:
I DID THIS ALREADY!!!!!!!! I put in my bank info and the documents department said they need another document showing my personal name on it. I uploaded this. When will the funds be transferred???????
12:55 pm
Sportsbook.com:
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience. Please make the request of your withdrawal online in order to start the processing time frame on the funds.
1:08 pm
Me:
This is absolutely absurd – it has gone beyond my tolerance threshold. It has been one month since I tried to withdrawal funds. I will publicly rip Sportsbook.com now as I realize you’ll never send me my money.
Thanks a bunch.
4:49 pm
Sportsbook.com:
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
Please bear in mind we cancelled your previous withdrawal and the money has been credited back to your gaming account. We need you to request your withdrawal online, we cannot request the withdrawal for you.
In order to see the withdrawal options available to you, please click on the Cashier or Banking link and log-in if you have not already done so. Then choose the Withdraw tab to arrive at the Withdrawal Type page which displays the options available. You can mouse over the '?' buttons to display information balloons that contain further details pertaining to the particular withdrawal options. Fees and minimum/maximum amounts are shown on the Withdrawal Type table.
The complete 'Terms and Conditions' relating to withdrawing from our site are available underneath the withdrawal options.
To make your withdrawal, just follow these instructions:
- Click on the 'Withdraw' button next to the option of your choice to arrive at the Withdrawal Info page.
- Fill in the amount you wish to withdraw (in accordance with the minimums and maximums stated on the previous page).
- Check that your address is correct. You may change your mailing address and/or update your billing address if necessary. Click on 'Change' or 'Update' to go to the My Account area. When you have finished you will be returned to the Withdrawal Info page.
- Enter your PIN number and click on continue to arrive at the Withdrawal Confirmation page.
- Review your withdrawal details and if all is correct, click on submit. This will take you to the Withdrawal Success Page where you will see all the information pertaining to your withdrawal request with the facility to print for your records, if desired.
From this page you also have the option to cancel your withdrawal, view your withdrawal history or go back to the Withdrawal Options Page.
4:57 pm
Me:
I did put through a third withdrawal request.
The first was denied because you said you cannot wire money to a bank in the US.
The second was a check you mailed to me and bounced.
The third was a wire request to XXXXXXXX.
How do Americans get money out of Sportsbook.com?
May 6
10:21am
Sportsbook.com:
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
Since you already accomplished sending all the required information to process a withdrawal, you can process your one trough one of the following methods:
Bank wire: (Trough the authorized bank you sent the required information) For verification purposes you will be required to provide a voided check or statement for the bank account to which you would like your funds to be sent. Unless it is your first withdrawal of the month, a bank wire request of less than $2,000.00 will be subject to a $40.00 processing fee and a request of $2,001.00 or more will be subject to a 2% processing fee. The maximum you can request is $25,000. The processing time-frame is 2-3 weeks.
Check via courier: The maximum check amount is $2500. Unless it is your first withdrawal of the month, a check request will be subject to standard fee of $40.00. The processing time-frame is 2-3 weeks. We may send you a Gift Card instead of a check; this is a one use card allowing you instant access to your funds.
Other methods: Alternative payment methods may be used at our discretion. You will be informed of these as and when they become available.
Your Personal Identification Number (PIN) is required before you can withdraw any funds from your account. It is a further step in securing that only you can access money in your account. This number was sent to you via email when you signed up but, if you have forgotten it, you can retrieve it through the secure 'My Account' area of the website.
10:33 am
Me: How will I know the check won’t bounce again?
May 15
Sportsbook.com:
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
This is a quick message to inform you that the time frame for withdrawals is up to 2-3 weeks, we'll do our best to process it as soon as possible.
May 16
3:55 pm
Me:
When can I expect the funds to be in my bank account?
May 30
8:11 am
Me:
It will be three weeks on Wednesday 1 June since my withdrawal request (my third different attempt to withdrawal funds). I will be extremely disappointed if this final attempt is unsuccessful.
11:02 am
Sportsbook.com:
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
Please note the time frame we advertise on the site to process withdrawals is 4-6 weeks.
This is the timeframe provided us by our new processors; unfortunately we have to stick to their rules. Rest assured that we are working on that to change it as soon as possible. We will do the best to send the funds sooner.
11:57 am
Me:
Two things you need to be aware of. 1st is the email you sent earlier says 2 - 3 weeks. Second is a intend to post all these exchanges on the web so others can see how this process developed. Saving another player from this madness now feels like a responsibility.
2:55 pm
Sportsbook.com
Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting us.
Please note the time frame we advertise on the site to process withdrawals is 4-6 weeks.
This is the timeframe provided us by our new processors; unfortunately we have to stick to their rules. Rest assured that we are working on that to change it as soon as possible. We will do the best to send the funds sooner.
3:11 pm
Sportsbook.com:
Dear Michael ,
Thank you for contacting us.
We had to increase our withdrawal timeframe in order to provide a realistic timeframe based on our current processing capabilities. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. A withdrawal can take from 4 to 6 weeks from the moment requested. So, yours will be processed accordingly within this timeframe.
6:19 pm
Me:
Fine. I'm never getting my money and I will use all my SEO and social networking knowledge to spread the word that you're a scam. THIS IS GONNA BE FUN! Go to hell.
