Beware SportsBettingArena.com

[JB2107]

About a month ago, this establishment offered a free $25 account. I quickly built my account to $105 and now I can't log in. When I contacted the live chat, here is the response I got. With customer service like this, I'm surprised they are still in business.

admin: Dear Free $25ers
admin: The Free $25 Promo is officially over.
admin: SBA is in the process of switching to new wagering software. The new software does not allow for free promo accounts to be mixed with the real accounts, as it poses problems for book management. So How do you turn your Promo $ into real Money? Simply match your current balance with a deposit. Roll the full amount over 10 Times and the money is yours to do as you please.

you: So in order for the "free" promotion to be worth anything, I need to deposit $105????

admin: Correct.

you: So what is the benefit of the promotion?

admin: I'am sure you read the rules posted on our website before signing up correct?

you: Yes I did - the only thing I recall was a maximum payout amount. Can you post the rules here so I can share with the posting forums at the gambling websites I frequent? I am sure other players in the market would be interested before signing up with you.

admin: Sure. These promotions are for a limited time and applies to internet wagering only. Sports Betting Arena reserves the right to end this promotion without prior notice. This offer is only valid for new customers of Sports Betting Arena.

[dideh]

JB2107,

Yesterday I got the -same exact- form message back from them when I inquired as to why my account disappeared.

I, like you, got the free account last month. I sat on it for a couple weeks, went back to it this weekend to place a couple bets, and sure enough (exactly as you say), I could no longer log in.

Bastards.

I read (only now) on SportsbookReview.com that they are affiliated with New Age Bets... that may explain this horseshit.

Stay away, gang.

[JB2107]

My favorite part is the explanation that "The new software does not allow for free promo accounts to be mixed with the real accounts, as it poses problems for book management."

ARE THEY SERIOUS????? I know an 8th grader that could program better software. If that is the way they invest their money, it is no wonder they have book management problems.

[dideh]

- so true!

I just don't get some books when it comes to freebies... yes, there will a good percentage of people who will take advantage of the freebies (never depositing), including me in this case... but the books know this, so WHY OFFER THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE if you won't honor them...

What amazes me is that after reneging on their terms, they expect me to say "Oh, OK..." and deposit with them?!

(Nice job, by the way, turning that phantom $25 into $105...)

[Blowfish]

There seem to be a lot of places offering that free $25 just for signing up. It is probably a scam to get your name and address so you will start receiving promos for other casinos in the mail or in your E-mail. It makes NO sense to give away a free bonus. The books complain about slim margins as it is.

[JB2107]

I agree that it doesn't make sense to give people the opportunity to win up to $250 with no risk, but they should at least be up front and honest about the rules of the promotion. It is actually a pretty good promotion to let people play with their money and then match the winnings if players will deposit an equal amount.

But the way they went about makes them seem sneaky, and then the software explanation makes them look stupid. If they can't even distinguish "real" money from promo money, I'm not confident they can accurately calculate a parlay. I wonder if their software can add Poor Customer Service + Bad Reputation = Out of Business.

[Jeff]

Thanks for the updates.....


We're going to group all these books together on a warning ppage......not quite "the clink" which is all deadbeats, but books that practice unethical advertising and such......

[LoboLoco]

thats a good idea as long as the books that end up there get a chance to make things right and get out of there. and it shouldnt be a place for people who just arent advertising.

[freefallin]

who belongs in this area besides sportsbettingarena and betzz.com?