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Matchbook is done with US Customers....

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Captain
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Posted: #1
Can't believe this... HUGE hit to those who have used it over the years.

Bill from SBR has confirmed that the rumor is true....   
 
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Posted: #2
I don't know who Bill is but has anyone confirmed this?  With baseball right around the corner, why would MB reject a large percentage of their customers and hurt the liquidity for those who are left?
 
Veteran
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Posted: #3
i just had a chat with their customer service asking if they will be accepting us customers and she said they will know in a half hour
 
Legend
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Posted: #4

Just got a phone call from a reliable source - gave me the news.

I would be surprised at this point if it doesnt happen in the next couple of days.

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
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Posted: #5
what the fuck is that all about?  yuice, i would assume low level customer service employees would deny it unless something was up.  this is bad news and very bad timing.  i still miss pinnacle.  

vanzack, what are they thinking?  has our fucked up government made it so bad for these books?  more importantly, where are you going to be playing baseball next month, football in the fall, etc?
 
Captain
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Posted: #6
Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:

I don't know who Bill is but has anyone confirmed this?  With baseball right around the corner, why would MB reject a large percentage of their customers and hurt the liquidity for those who are left?

He is an EXTREMELY reliable source... I wouldnt be posting on here if i didnt think it was about 99.9% chance of happening since it came from his mouth.
 
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Posted: #7
Quote Originally Posted by BrianLaverty:


He is an EXTREMELY reliable source... I wouldnt be posting on here if i didnt think it was about 99.9% chance of happening since it came from his mouth.


i guess i shouldn't ask why.  pinnacle and others did it.  

so where are you going to move your money?

i'm going to costa rica in a few months, maybe i'll rent an apartment and open up an account at pinnacle.  
 
Captain
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Posted: #8
From SBR:

Matchbook sports betting exchange to announce US market exit

2/27/2011 6:53:18 PM


Matchbook (SBR rating B-) is preparing a release to announce both its seperation from WSEX as owner and parent company and the impending exit of the US market. Players within the USA are expected to be unable to use their accounts as soon as tomorrow. Players can check back for more details from Matchbook management on payouts and new business plan. SBR will closely monitor the payout process for US players which will be the company's first major action independent of slow-paying sportsbook WSEX. 
 
Captain
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Posted: #9
Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:



i guess i shouldn't ask why.  pinnacle and others did it.  

so where are you going to move your money?

i'm going to costa rica in a few months, maybe i'll rent an apartment and open up an account at pinnacle.  

I already use Greek, you wager, bet jamaica and heritage.... so ill just add some more money at those places.
 
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Posted: #10
i'm glad i don't play futures.  

i used to play at the greek but the odds aren't any good.  which of those places has the best odds?  i hear 5 dimes is pretty good with their odds and has a pretty good soccer selection.  

i forgot vanzack is an international guy so this isn't as big of a deal for him.  
 
Legend
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Posted: #11
Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:

what the fuck is that all about?  yuice, i would assume low level customer service employees would deny it unless something was up.  this is bad news and very bad timing.  i still miss pinnacle.  

vanzack, what are they thinking?  has our fucked up government made it so bad for these books?  more importantly, where are you going to be playing baseball next month, football in the fall, etc?

Honestly dirt - somehow I got lucky and dont have a penny there right now.  If you have been reading anything I have been writing recently, I have been saying how it might be time to give it a rest for a while - and that time might have come for me.

I certainly think I wont be betting MLB this season, and maybe beyond that too until things change for the better.  Too much risk for me, too many headaches, too expensive - Im not good enough to absorb the financial impact of the risk and expense.

Keep your eyes open, things happen quickly in this industry.

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
Legend
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Posted: #12
Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:

what the fuck is that all about?  yuice, i would assume low level customer service employees would deny it unless something was up.  this is bad news and very bad timing.  i still miss pinnacle.  

vanzack, what are they thinking?  has our fucked up government made it so bad for these books?  more importantly, where are you going to be playing baseball next month, football in the fall, etc?

BTW - from what I hear - which is from the thread at SBR and from a strongly connected personal source of mine - they have finalized a sale from the principles at WSEX to a legitimate licensed UK betting group - and like all other licensed European betting groups - they dont want to deal with Americans (probably because we are so rude - jk).

Now - I cant comment on the intelligence of dumping what I would consider to be the bulk of your client base - but what do I know.  Who in Europe is going to make a market on a Royals vs A's monday afternoon baseball game?

I dont get it either.

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
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Posted: #13
yeah, i think i remember you cautioning me or some others about mb.  i just didn't pay enough attention.  and i also noticed they started adding a lot more soccer matches a few months ago which was nice but maybe foreshadowed this since US players aren't into soccer as much.  who knows.  

it's a big deal.  without MB and pinnacle, it's definitely makes things more difficult than it needs to be. 

i have a good friend who lives in europe.  i guess i could go through him and open something up at pinnacle.  what a fuckin pain in the ass.
 
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Posted: #14
Our government can't find Osama bin Laden, but they have no trouble finding ways to shutdown our main gambling sources.

So disgusting.
 
Legend
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Posted: #15
Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:

yeah, i think i remember you cautioning me or some others about mb.  i just didn't pay enough attention.  and i also noticed they started adding a lot more soccer matches a few months ago which was nice but maybe foreshadowed this since US players aren't into soccer as much.  who knows.  

it's a big deal.  without MB and pinnacle, it's definitely makes things more difficult than it needs to be. 

i have a good friend who lives in europe.  i guess i could go through him and open something up at pinnacle.  what a fuckin pain in the ass.

A pain in the ass is an understatement.

That is only the tip of the iceberg.

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
Legend
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Posted: #16
NOTICE
Matchbook has been sold effective February 28th 2011. The new owners of Matchbook have been informed by its legal advisors that accepting wagers from anyone located within the United States might constitute a violation of United States law. Accordingly, Matchbook will no longer accept a participant located in the United States, where wagering on a sporting event or any other event in which chance predominates might be a violation of law. As a result, if you are a registered participant located in the United States, you will not be able to access your account for the purposes of placing a wager effective immediately upon the transfer of ownership of Matchbook on February 28th 2011.

The accounts of all registered participants located in the United States will be closed effective February 28th 2011. The new owners of Matchbook will work with the affected participants to ensure that all funds remaining in the registered participants’ accounts as of February 28th 2011 will be returned to the registered participants located in the United States within 31 days from the aforesaid date.
Registered participants whose accounts will be closed effective February 28th 2011, will be sent, via email, detailed instructions as to the procedure required to receive the funds remaining in their respective accounts as of February 28th 2011. The new ownership will provide contact information for questions from registered participants whose accounts have been closed. Participant’s funds not claimed within the 31 days will be turned over to the Antigua Financial Services Resource Commission.

The new owners of Matchbook are in no way associated or affiliated with WSEX or the previous ownership of Matchbook prior to February 28th 2011.

The new owners and management look forward to heralding a new dawn in financial prudence and stability, while continuing to offer a world class betting exchange with improved global sports offerings. Matchbook intends to expand its operations into the European and Asian markets through encouraging a steady increase in event liquidity as well as expanding payment channels into these markets. Please stay tuned for further updates in the coming weeks.

The Financial Services Regulatory Commission, (FSRC) the agency responsible for overseeing the online gaming industry in Antigua and Barbuda has been advised of the transfer of ownership of Matchbook and has approved the transfer to the new ownership. The FSRC could be reached at www.antiguagaming.gov.ag.

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
Prospect
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Posted: #17

what huge and terrible news. this will rock the online gambling world. in an industry where its becoming harder and harder to find reliable outlets, one of the best has left us.

a huge win for neighborhood locals as well as the few remaining u.s.customer accepting books (thegreek, betjam).

 
MVP
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Posted: #18
It says customers are going to have to make a one time withdrawal of all funds. I have a good amount currently in matchbook. (for me anyway)

Are they really going to make me withdraw the entire amount in one transaction? Anyone know what methods they allow you to withdraw? Any chance they allow interbook transfer for the funds?

A lot of questions I know but I'd appreciate it if anyone had an idea regarding withdrawing our accounts.


 
Veteran
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Posted: #19
Quote Originally Posted by vanzack:

NOTICE
Matchbook has been sold effective February 28th 2011. The new owners of Matchbook have been informed by its legal advisors that accepting wagers from anyone located within the United States might constitute a violation of United States law. Accordingly, Matchbook will no longer accept a participant located in the United States, where wagering on a sporting event or any other event in which chance predominates might be a violation of law. As a result, if you are a registered participant located in the United States, you will not be able to access your account for the purposes of placing a wager effective immediately upon the transfer of ownership of Matchbook on February 28th 2011.

The accounts of all registered participants located in the United States will be closed effective February 28th 2011. The new owners of Matchbook will work with the affected participants to ensure that all funds remaining in the registered participants’ accounts as of February 28th 2011 will be returned to the registered participants located in the United States within 31 days from the aforesaid date.
Registered participants whose accounts will be closed effective February 28th 2011, will be sent, via email, detailed instructions as to the procedure required to receive the funds remaining in their respective accounts as of February 28th 2011. The new ownership will provide contact information for questions from registered participants whose accounts have been closed. Participant’s funds not claimed within the 31 days will be turned over to the Antigua Financial Services Resource Commission.

The new owners of Matchbook are in no way associated or affiliated with WSEX or the previous ownership of Matchbook prior to February 28th 2011.

The new owners and management look forward to heralding a new dawn in financial prudence and stability, while continuing to offer a world class betting exchange with improved global sports offerings. Matchbook intends to expand its operations into the European and Asian markets through encouraging a steady increase in event liquidity as well as expanding payment channels into these markets. Please stay tuned for further updates in the coming weeks.

The Financial Services Regulatory Commission, (FSRC) the agency responsible for overseeing the online gaming industry in Antigua and Barbuda has been advised of the transfer of ownership of Matchbook and has approved the transfer to the new ownership. The FSRC could be reached at www.antiguagaming.gov.ag.



Just got the same exact email.
 
MVP
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Posted: #20
Just received an email from matchbook with the following:

Due to the change in ownership as outlined in our earlier email, Matchbook will no longer be accepting customers located in your area of registration or residence. We require you to request a withdrawal of your Matchbook balance in the next 31 days. We are aware that there are a number of players who have pending wagers on futures markets that will not be finalized within our 31 day withdrawal period. You will be able to view your pending wagers through the reports section of your account. These bets will be settled on an individual basis.

Payments will be made to you via a bank wire or credit card deposit at a cost of $35.00 to an account or credit card held in your name. Please follow the instructions and complete out one of the options below:
 
Legend
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Posted: #21

Quote Originally Posted by rangerz2478:

Just received an email from matchbook with the following:

Due to the change in ownership as outlined in our earlier email, Matchbook will no longer be accepting customers located in your area of registration or residence. We require you to request a withdrawal of your Matchbook balance in the next 31 days. We are aware that there are a number of players who have pending wagers on futures markets that will not be finalized within our 31 day withdrawal period. You will be able to view your pending wagers through the reports section of your account. These bets will be settled on an individual basis.

Payments will be made to you via a bank wire or credit card deposit at a cost of $35.00 to an account or credit card held in your name. Please follow the instructions and complete out one of the options below:

I wish you the best rangers.

I have a good feeling that you will get paid, it might not be the way you want to get paid, but you will get your money.  I have nothing to go on other than my gut, but thats how I feel.

Once again, I got totally lucky and have no money in there - somehow I have avoided book closings to the point where I feel like I am pushing my luck.

Anyway - the end of an era.  I dont see how I am going to bet MLB this season.  Could be a long break for me.

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
MVP
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Posted: #22
Quote Originally Posted by vanzack:

I wish you the best rangers.

I have a good feeling that you will get paid, it might not be the way you want to get paid, but you will get your money.  I have nothing to go on other than my gut, but thats how I feel.

Once again, I got totally lucky and have no money in there - somehow I have avoided book closings to the point where I feel like I am pushing my luck.

Anyway - the end of an era.  I dont see how I am going to bet MLB this season.  Could be a long break for me.



Yea I'm pretty confident I'll get paid but my biggest concern is the fact they want you withdrawing the entire amount in one transaction. For obvious reasons I really don't want to have the entire amount sent to me in one transaction. Just one huge headache but hopefully my money is safe at the very least.
 
Legend
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Posted: #23

Quote Originally Posted by rangerz2478:



Yea I'm pretty confident I'll get paid but my biggest concern is the fact they want you withdrawing the entire amount in one transaction. For obvious reasons I really don't want to have the entire amount sent to me in one transaction. Just one huge headache but hopefully my money is safe at the very least.

You might want to consider opening a new online bank account at someplace like chase or BOA.

You can set it up in about 15 minutes, use it to get the transfer - then get the cash and move it to your regular acct.  Then you would be free to close that account.

Just an idea - not sure if it is a good one or a bad one - but something to consider.

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
MVP
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Posted: #24
Quote Originally Posted by vanzack:

You might want to consider opening a new online bank account at someplace like chase or BOA.

You can set it up in about 15 minutes, use it to get the transfer - then get the cash and move it to your regular acct.  Then you would be free to close that account.

Just an idea - not sure if it is a good one or a bad one - but something to consider.



I was actually considering this exact idea but don't you think this would raise red flags? Obviously don't want to go through the headache that could arise but I'm definitely looking into the possibility.
 
 
Legend
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Posted: #25

Quote Originally Posted by rangerz2478:



I was actually considering this exact idea but don't you think this would raise red flags? Obviously don't want to go through the headache that could arise but I'm definitely looking into the possibility.

I really dont know.  I have no idea what to tell you, other than to think it through.  This is unchartered ground.

 

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
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