Absolute Poker, SBG Global Controversies a PR NightmareWhen high ranking officials at Absolute Poker decided to cheat unsuspecting customers, they didn't bank on a "mob mentality" and the mainstream press that followed from such media organizations as MSNBC and ABC.com, just to name a few.
What used to be confined to the industry proper is now big news among media outlets. Years ago, when Sports Market founder Charlie Therwhanger robbed his customers of an estimated $13 mil, the bad press was limited to only a handful of websites that catered exclusively to the online gambling industry. Not one major media outlet took notice.
Today, in the midst of what is arguably the biggest scandal to ever hit the billion dollar industry, the press is paying attention....close attention.
ESPN's Gary Wise is already promising a major expose on the Absolute Poker scandal come later this week. Apparently ESPN has been in contact with customers of another online gambling establishment, this a sportsbook, SBG Global.
A group of players have accused SBG Global of withholding well over $100,000 in winnings. SBG Global contends this group is part of a betting syndicate and joined the gaming firm in violation of its "no syndicate" rule.
"We won't be cheated!" said a high ranking official in the company. "While we rarely have to, we do defend ourselves from this type of group play and it is clearly posted on our website: 'No syndicate or professional betting action allowed'."
ESPN reportedly will be covering both the Absolute Poker and SBG Global news stories in detail later this week
SBG Global contends that a Connecticut sports handicapper and radio personality sent in players as part of an organized betting scheme.
The affected players contend that the radio personality, who goes by the name of Sebastian and runs a website called SebastianSports.com (with picks priced as high as $3750), has been on an incredible roll of late. They say that because his show is based out of Connecticut, SBG has singled out these players as "coming from the same location". SBG is saying that some of the IP numbers have been traced back to North Carolina, however.
One affected player denies being part of any organized syndicate.
"Sebastian is our local morning show host. He has a website that he sells sports picks. He provides us the picks along with a ranking system. It is up to us to decide how much to bet.
"In June, I decided to give it a try. Sebastian's host from Hertitage, Darlene, moved to Bet Royal and asked Sebastian to come with her. He said 'Yes' because her service was so good. He then recommended us to all go play there. In July, SBG bought Bet Royal and we had no issues. The problem occurred when Sebastian released several highly rated games within a short period. He hit just about all of them."
SBG Global management contends that BetRoyal had been poorly organized and was a haven for bonus whores, scammers and sharps.
"BetRoyal was a disorganized company that had all types of people getting ridiculous bonuses and betting steam," the Senior SBG manager told Gambling911.com on Monday. "SBG Global is a real company that studies betting patterns. We have plenty of people winning who get paid and get paid big, including customers who have come to us from BetRoyal."
Sebastian The Sports Handicapper denies running any type of syndicate.
"I am a radio host with a huge following in Connecticut. These people trust my judgment. Now they feel as if I led them to a scam sportsbook."
Sebastian told Gambling911.com Tuesday that he is now in the process of directing all his listeners (and customers) to TheGreek.com.
"But who is to say TheGreek won't pull the same stunt that SBG has?" asked another affected customer over the phone this afternoon. TheGreek, unlike SBG Global, is known to cater towards wise guy action and organized group play. Hence, Sebastian's fans need not worry about getting the same type of treatment.
In the end, it may be up to the general public to decide whether SBG Global is right or wrong. While researching the Absolute Poker scandal, ESPN is now in the process of questioning those affected in the SBG matter.
Meanwhile, Sebastian has indicated he may be speaking with local media news outlets in Connecticut very shortly as well.
Who is this slime ball with Gambling911.com famed reporter Jenny Woo? Answer can be found after you are through reading the article
Bad press has already harmed Absolute to some degree over the past week where analysts report that player tallies are way down over previous weeks.
Ironically, Absolute Poker is getting some positive feedback in some circles for rapid return of funds to victims of its own "internal cheating scandal". A number of individuals were not even aware they had money coming. Absolute has even disclosed there were more victims than initially publicized. Nevertheless, Absolute Poker has a long road ahead of it to win back the faith of poker aficionados.
Quite a few outspoken members of the online poker community want Absolute to pay a steeper price. They demand the culprits be brought to justice and severely punished.
Others feel the poker room needs to pay out more in restitutions. Still, there are a few who believe the only acceptable recourse is to shut Absolute Poker down completely, perhaps not fully understanding the impact such an unlikely scenario would have on thousands of other customers who play there.
But the most debilitating outcome has been the negative press garnered as a result of this scandal. SBG Global appears to be falling into the very same trap.
Answer to the above question: AJ Green, he is the alleged culprit in the Absolute Poker "internal cheating scam".
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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
Originally published October 24, 2007 12:19 am ET
