SBG Global "User Friendly, Not Abuser Friendly"SBG Global has responded to accusations that they refused to pay out winnings to a group of individuals following plays from a Connecticut radio sports handicapper.
In an interview with Gambling911.com, Senior management explained their position in the matter.
"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'."
A group of individual sports bettors are claiming that SBG Global is withholding payments from them. SBG is saying that this group has won a substantial sum of money over the last few months and that all initial deposits (investments) into this "scheme" have been paid.
"Those who won more than their deposits do not get paid additional amounts," management told Gambling911. "In Vegas you can't get away with this, why would we allow it online?"
While the player in question contends that over $200,000 is in dispute, SBG Global says it is just over $100,000 and that past winnings by the group were taken into account to determine that no additional money be owed.
The controversy involves a woman by the name of Darlene who worked for BetRoyal's casino arm. As part of SBG Global's agreement to purchase BetRoyal's sportsbook, Royal's deal was to convert casino players into sports bettors via Darlene. Instead, she was sending these "sharp players", SBG contends.
SBG Global alleges that the players were working in conjunction with Darlene and a radio sports handicapper out of Connecticut. One of the individuals admitted that he was being berated by the sports handicapper for not following his specific instructions on how to bet.
"Telling a group of people how to bet, how to play and for what amount, that is organized play and not permitted at SBG Global.
"BetRoyal was a disorganized company that had all types of people getting ridiculous bonuses and betting steam. 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.
"One guy came to us with a huge balance and kept pounding us but he was playing fairly and we ended up paying this guy deep into the six figures. He is still a customer with us. You never heard of BetRoyal customers not getting paid after they joined SBG prior to this incident with the syndicate group.
"We are not stupid. We know how to identify sharp action by following trends and how a group of people are all betting from the same area on steam plays. These are individuals who are not welcome at SBG Global and we simply show them the door so they can bet elsewhere."
SBG Global contends it took some time to catch on. While some of the players in this group lost money, others won big and SBG contends the winnings were more than the losses. Only 15 individuals were part of this group, SBG stated. Not the 50 that has been quoted.
"My conscience is clear at the end of the day," the SBG senior manager expressed in closing. "We are just protecting ourselves and our fair playing recreational customers."
The radio sports handicapper has gotten paid in full, according to SBG Global management.
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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
Originally published October 22, 2007 4:12 pm EST
