[Bill Dozer]

Apparently they are folding and can't pay. We have an odd situation where the owner of a BetEmpire skin , Superiorbook, is supposedly "bailing out" Empire players and requiring a hefty 15x roll before users can have their money.

[increasedodds]

Superior used to pay neteller and checks from Empire.

Sounds like BS to me.

I believe it is one shop.

Sean

[Halifax]

http://www.superiorbook.com/player/s...o/company.aspx

Superior Book Company Profile
Superior Book is for sports fans who want to enjoy sports betting.

Building on its successful poker brand (est. 2003) the Superior Group opened Superior Book in 2006 to bring the same attention to detail and superior service to sports fans everywhere.

Whether you're placing your first wager, or you’re a more experienced player who understands advanced betting, Superior Book speaks your language with a simple yet powerful betting interface.

Our unique community of sports fans provide guidance, sports talk, and challenges via live 'In Game' chat and extensive posting forums.

Our highly trained customer service team is here to assist you at every turn. Our focus on the customer experience extends to security and confidentiality, two of our top priorities.

Don't just take our word for it - click on 'Bet' to see how easy it is to get in on the action, spend some time reading the forums and enjoy the Superior Book experience for yourself.

Jim Mason
Operations Director
Superior Book
jimmy@superiorbook.com Sonsorol N.V.
New Haven e-Zone
Emancipatie Boulevard 29
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles

http://www.betempire.com/player/site_info/company.aspx

Empire Sportsbook Company Profile
Empire Sportsbook is for sports fans who want to enjoy sports betting.

Empire Sportsbook was founded in 2003 by industry veterans with an eye towards the future. Operating from Costa Rica, and registered in the UK, we serve the unique needs of Internet-based sports gamblers.

Whether you're placing your first wager, or you’re a more experienced player who understands advanced betting, Empire Sportsbook speaks your language with a simple yet powerful betting interface.

Our unique community of sports fans provide guidance, sports talk, and challenges via live 'In Game' chat and extensive posting forums.

Our highly trained customer service team is here to assist you at every turn. Our focus on the customer experience extends to security and confidentiality, two of our top priorities.

Don't just take our word for it - click on 'Bet' to see how easy it is to get in on the action, spend some time reading the forums and enjoy the Empire Sportsbook experience for yourself.

Jim Mason
Operations Director
Empire Sportsbook
jimmy@betempire.com Sonsorol N.V.
New Haven e-Zone
Emancipatie Boulevard 29
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles

It seems Jim Mason is Operations Director for both places.

[increasedodds]

Short on cash?

15X should knock balances down about 75%.

Sean

[Doug]

Its the same place, I used Empire briefly last year, it was hard to get paid.

I'd drop Superior to F+

[Catsfan]

I've played at both Supperior and Empire for about the last 15 months. I got paid from both of them several times with no problems. To me they seem like the same book. The lines always were the same. Jimmy Mason ran both books. I asked him once and he told me they had different owners. I was always given excellent service by Jimmy and his staff. I stopped using them after the NCAA tournament because they offered a 20 cent line for baseball and I could always find a better line someplace else. I was planning on reupping at one of these books come football season. Hopefully Jimmy will chime in and offer us some info.

[slash]

Originally Posted by Catsfan

Hopefully Jimmy will chime in and offer us some info.

Just info or reliable info?

[Bill Dozer]

Yea, it smells. Players get a different homepage and a 15x requirement.

I would like to hear how much money Superior is "covering." Players who had their accounts sold have a right to know. It can't be much. On the other hand, Superior now owns the whole operation? Do they own the software source code or are they still leasing it from the stiffs? It doesn't sound much like a bailout and adding roll-overs to private party deals is nothing new.

I wonder if Empire had one or two basketball bettors who parlayed up a big balance and were starting to cashout as the season came to an end. That would explain doing all this and trying to avoid having the whole company stigmatized as a no-pay. Most of the few players they have are very small and would not even notice the changes and would be more valuable if they weren't informed they are getting jammed.

[bigboydan]

AllSportsMarket enters the SBR Rating Guide at D. Players are advised to use caution. An ASM ownership partner is also part of the group that owns BetEmpire (SBR rating F) which is expected to close shortly. Empire is a low-limit sportsbook that focused on helping the new bettor through the wagering process.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by increasedodds

Short on cash?

15X should knock balances down about 75%.

Sean

........................................ ........................................ ...

That's kind of worst case scenario of completing the rollover and hitting 50%.

A guy with a smaller balance ( below limit bet) could try to get out in one bet by playing both sides of a game ( using another book).

You could also do better than that by pushing action, betting both sides of games with smaller price differences than -110 both ways, if you had a balance too large to get out of in a bet or two.

You'll lose for sure betting both sides, but can do better than losing 75% of YOUR money.

Any way you look at it, the 15X is bad for the player.

I'd definetly try to get a smaller balance out by losing it on the first shot.

[Doug]

Roberto's article :

BetEmpire: Jim Mason talks about the sportsbook takeover


Betempire customers and watchdog operators were caught by surprise on Friday when Superiorbook, formerly a white label of Empire sportsbook, announced the take over of BetEmpire.

"SuperiorBook.com has announced this week that it is in the process of absorbing all clients of Empire Sportsbook (BetEmpire.com)" a press release issued on Friday stated.

"Empire Sportsbook is forced to close down operations. In an attempt to increase clientele and help online sportsbook players at the same time, the provisions of this merger call for SuperiorBook.com to offer all BetEmpire.com players a bailout program, applying a rollover requirement of 15 times before any withdrawal can be made."

BetEmpire former operations manager Jim Mason spoke exclusively with TheOnlinewire.com on Friday, shedding light on the unexpected twist of events.

"Empire's owner had been having financial problems for close to a year and Empire was being supported by Superior which is why no payments have been missed and why there were few clues." Mason revealed. "Superior laid down a date for the owner of Empire and said "If you can not at least support yourself by this date (Not mentioning the small fortune in back money he owed to Superior) we no longer will".

"That date came and the owner was forced to abandon Empire. In a business decision, Superior decided to offer a bail out program to increase its sportsbook customer base."

BetEmpire and Superiorbook where believed to be one and the same by many, however Mason clarifies the nature of the relationship between the two operations. "Superior and Empire worked under the same roof, shared the same staff and used the same software, but had separate ownership as is common in the industry." He said.

Jim Mason went on highlighting the short and long term benefits for Empire customers. "Short term benefits for former Empire customers will include the same familiar software interface, and they will now have access to poker, casino and expanded 24/7 Client Services." He said. "Long term benefits include a stronger, more reliable infrastructure and the security of a gaming license from the jurisdiction of Curacao."

The imposition of a 15-time rollover on existing balances to migrating BetEmpire customers caused concern and scattered protests among the sportsbook's clients. "I have yet to hear the protests, but I would simply explain that bailouts include rollovers regardless of who takes over the failing company." Jim Mason said, addressing the issue.

Mason confirmed he will maintain the role of operations manager with Superiorbook. "I served as Operations Director for both Empire and Superior and have been asked to stay on as Operations Director for Superior, which I will." he said.

BetEmpire customers who wish to confirm their data with former management may contact Frederick Gray, one of the founders of Empire who is tying up loose ends and can be reached at management@betempire.com.

Our attempts to reach BetEmpire estranged owner led us to a shocking find. Apparently the man could have never met his deadline as he had been arrested on unrelated charges while traveling in Europe at the end of April. According to the records the arrest warrant was issued by the FBI and executed by the Italian police.

[increasedodds]

I say you give em both an F unless the rollover is dropped.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by increasedodds

I say you give em both an F unless the rollover is dropped.

Sean: What do you make of this ?

Our attempts to reach BetEmpire estranged owner led us to a shocking find. Apparently the man could have never met his deadline as he had been arrested on unrelated charges while traveling in Europe at the end of April. According to the records the arrest warrant was issued by the FBI and executed by the Italian police.

[SBR_John]

How queer is it that the same guy ran both books and now claims he has been "retained" to stay on by scam book A while scam book B is closing?? Never heard of one guy running two books. Must be a pro...except one of his books failed.... BUT theres more! He probably gets a raise on on the non failing scam.

This is really an insult to the players intelligence. It shows you the mentality of some of the bookmakers down here in Costa Rica. I'm sure they don't think anyone will figure this out.