[Illusion]

SBR Bill Dozer reports: 4SportsPicks (SBR rating F-) deletes client’s account and confiscates funds. The player tells SBR that he disputed $600 in debits listed as casino losses and soon after was locked out of his account. 4SportsPicks management tells SBR that the player tried to cheat them out of the $600 and this behavior will cost him the winnings in his account (a previous withdrawal exceeded the amount deposited by player). The player estimated his balance to be $1385 before he was locked out.

[marc]

Thats too bad. It was a nice place to play unitl they took over ewinner. No way did they have any chance of survival after taking some of ewiners players.

[Bill Dozer]

It was a nice place to play unitl they took over ewinner.

They never had a chance. I remember when they first opened before there was ever a slow-pay, they offered 20% bonuses up to $1,000 with NO roll-over and no vig daily specials. The only thing they did right was to market to the right forum.

[Terris]

would you guys take a 20% bonus with no rollover at a book you dont know at all?
I might dep 500 and try to lose the 600 with a bet vs pinny or so, if that fails i at least wagered it all once before i request the payout, lol

[Clip Joint]

How in the hell can a book offere a bonus with no rollover?

[Illusion]

How in the hell can a book offere a bonus with no rollover?

No kidding, that's a big red flag.

[Illusion]

SBR Bill Dozer reports: Stiff sportsbook Ewinner (SBR rating F-) back online operating as a credit/agent sportsbook. Ewinner closed in September of last year, stealing over $60,000 from winning players. The book is still using the same phone line, 1-877-394-6637.

[natrass]

How in the hell can a book offere a bonus with no rollover?

Its quite common in Europe .. admittedly with low bonuses (£100 max etc).

[pags11]

what a scam book...for them to get an F-, they are terrible...SBR will give you even a D or C rating if you are at least trying to work through your problems...F- is a full blown scam...

[steelerfan]

definitely scam book.

[Max Levine]

Without offending anyone, I don't understand the logic behind bonuses in second-rated sportsbooks. What is the point of getting a few bucks as free money when there is a chance of getting stiffed or even wasting time sending emails, making phone calls and just getting irritated with all the hassles. When I want free money, I parlay Texas ML and USC ML (or Indy... any obvious mismatch) for one unit... and there's my $20.

I understand bookies marketing their offers to uninformed gamblers. I don't understand educated gamblers giving them a try.

Max

[JoshW]

When I want free money, I parlay Texas ML and USC ML (or Indy... any obvious mismatch) for one unit... and there's my $20.

Max, couple issues you bring up. First the idea that parlaying big moneyline favorites is free money is more absurd than just trying a new book. This is common way of thinking but the books end up with the money in the end, same as most everything else. "Free money" obviously isn't always so free. Fumble from losing yesterday.

Without offending anyone, I don't understand the logic behind bonuses in second-rated sportsbooks. What is the point of getting a few bucks as free money when there is a chance of getting stiffed or even wasting time sending emails, making phone calls and just getting irritated with all the hassles.

I acutally played at the book in question early on so I can provide one perspective. I like to try new books. Largerly because they often offer unique or slow lines. If you can find a couple good bets a day you now have a dozen good bets a week you can play and that doesn't take into account the bonus. In the case of this book I won and was paid. But because of my experience with the book and information I learned from others, I didn't stick around long.

I also am playing at newer books less and less because of all the reasons you list (you hit a lot of them). Even if I have overall come out ahead betting at smaller, newer books, the hassle is enough that I am picking my spots more and generally staying away from obviously questionable books.

[Max Levine]

Max, couple issues you bring up. First the idea that parlaying big moneyline favorites is free money is more absurd than just trying a new book. This is common way of thinking but the books end up with the money in the end, same as most everything else. "Free money" obviously isn't always so free. Fumble from losing yesterday.

Obviously, Laker, you are right as there is no such a thing as a sure bet. I shouldn't have mentioned that as it might give anyone the wrong idea. I was merely trying to make the point that I would rather gamble my money on a wager than on a sportsbook whose integrity might be questionable. After all, that is the purpose of my depositing in offshore books.

Max