Recently, Betway’s sports book was downgraded to an “F” by Sports Book Review. The website alleges that two of its “players are waiting for Moneybookers payments initially requested in late May and early June. Betway has claimed that it had sent the funds via Moneybookers to one player but the e-wallet returned the funds back to them. Betway displays a familiar pattern of a book in financial trouble, first looking for reasons to recover winnings from sharp players, and later stalling and making slow-pay excuses.” Poker News Daily recently spoke with Betway officials to learn about the downgrades by SBR.
The “F” grade only applies to the site’s sports book. Betway also offers poker, casino games, keno, and scratch cards. Betway’s response to the complaint by SBR notes that the accounts in question may be linked to fraudulent activities: “As a highly reputable gaming site, Betway.com is in a position to make decisions about who we block based on relative perceived harm to our site. In the case of the accounts in question, we remain firm that the evidence is clear that these players came through a site which openly teaches players how to abuse Sportsbook bonuses. There were also cases of multiple accounts.” As is the case with many companies, Betway is able to turn away business as it sees fit.
No specific information regarding the players on the site has been given. However, the press release states that Betway constantly battles cases of “multiple accounts, fraudulent activity and bonus abuse amongst other items that contravene the clear laws of online gaming.”
Although Betway could not go into specifics on public forums, as the players who had been “slow-paid” did, the company stated, “It saddens us that players believe we are in ‘scam’ mode, in accordance with the review. I encourage you to consider the vast number of successful withdrawals that take place on our site on a daily basis, as well as the equally vast number of happy, honest and fair players who enjoy our site for what it is intended: honest and fair play.”
Other customers have had no problems as they relate to Betway’s payouts on Moneybookers and professed their love for the site on SBR’s forums: “I’m surprised at this and with the F rating for Betway. I requested a payout on the 23rd July and it was in my Moneybookers account on the 24th July.” Another player stated, “Both of these withdrawals arrived after short time, and I am therefore puzzled that Betway are slowpaying some players. I know that a book should not be rated on how it treats the players it likes, but on how it treats the players it does not like.”
Several players on Betway have lamented about the site’s lack of openness about the issue: “They claim the player is a fraud, but provided no proof. The player provided a passport (I think) to show his identity.” Another added, “Regardless of what else develops, seizing the entire balance of a fraudulent player is not the right way to remedy it.” Anyone with questions is encouraged to e-mail support@betway.com.
The news will continue to trickle in from this developing story. Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for more information.
