Uh...wtf Pinnacle?

[ensign_lee]

Dear Pinnacle Sports' Client,
Effective Immediately….
We assure all our clients your balances are available and Pinnacle will continue providing our international clients our same great value.
Please note that any wagers currently pending in your account will be honored by Pinnacle Sports. As your wagers are graded, you may use the Cashier of your account to request any balance due.

You may, of course, use your Cashier now to request a withdrawal for your current balance.

Regards,
Customer Service Department
Pinnacle Sports

Uh...looks like they're not taking US clients anymore. WTF?!?!

This is a very, very bad sign. I can't even begin to emphasize how bad this is. Pinnacle was one of the rocks holding this industry steady. This is very, VERY bad.

[chris1195]

Yea this really sucks.

[zook]

Just saw that. WOW

lee, what do you recommend at this point? Waiting a few days and seeing how things shake out? And a related question... what do you think of Bodog's sportsbook, in general?

[ensign_lee]

Pull your money. Now.

Bodog's sportsbook, if you bet dogs, is great! If not, it's terrible. And if you bet dogs a lot, they'll shift you to a line where betting dogs becomes much less profitable (shading the line a half point, adding 5 to 10 cents extra juice on the dog side).

I'm keeping my money in 3 books for now:
A) Matchbook - backed by WSEX, which has already stared down the US government in regards to this. Their main man got put in jail for 18 months, but they continued to operate. They've got BALLS.

Plus, their liquidity is bound to shoot through the roof as a result of this if they stay open. Think abotu how much stars and Full Tilt grew when party closed. This is gonna be like THAT.

Conversely, I'd trust my money with WSEX right now as well, but I don't use them often.

B) Skybook - Just because I think they'll be allright. No real reasoning. And I like my free half points.

C) BetTrojan - this I think is actually a little risky, BUT I like having access to -105 lines, because sometimes they beat matchbook's. Right now, my balance in there is 10 units. I'll make periodic withdrawals should my balance get higher so that I'm not left with too much at this book.

[zook]

Pull your money. Now.

Even if I have a 2-unit bet on the Saints and I only get one free Neteller withdrawal a month?

[ensign_lee]

Well. Then wait for the bet on the Saints and then withdraw, maybe?

Or, plan B:
Withdraw now. And if you win (or when you win ), then withdraw that in February?

I mean, teh rest of your balanec can't do much now. My limits are 0. Aren't yours?

[zook]

I was going to wait until Sunday to withdraw, figured Pinnacle's got to be solvent enough to handle this or they wouldn't do it, and they know EXACTLY how much money US customers have in their accounts. But waiting until February to withdraw my last 4 units (after the Saints win by more than 5) is another option. Or if the Eagles pull the sweet, sweet upset, it won't matter

Thanks for the rundown on which books you're sticking with... I'll look into them. If there are bonuses/referrals I should know about, feel free to post them or pm me.

[ShortStacked]

I just found this this morning and came right here to ask you guys about it. I currently have a lot of money in bodog, but I never like how they handled sports as I always felt like I was getting robbed from them. I was planning on putting 1k into PIN to start out with. Looks like this might not be a good idea? Would you guys still recommend getting into this industry or is it slowly dieing?

[bigspenda73]

Shorstacked, where do you live? US or abroad?

[ensign_lee]

I just found this this morning and came right here to ask you guys about it. I currently have a lot of money in bodog, but I never like how they handled sports as I always felt like I was getting robbed from them. I was planning on putting 1k into PIN to start out with. Looks like this might not be a good idea? Would you guys still recommend getting into this industry or is it slowly dieing?

Do I think the state of the industry now is good/great? No. Do I think it is bad? No.

It's in the same realm as poker now, really. Find a few places you feel safe having your money at and leave it at that.

I would highly recommend matchbook. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

[ShortStacked]

Shorstacked, where do you live? US or abroad?

I live in the US. Also to be honest I don't mind paying taxes either. It seems like the government just wants it to be gone rather than there to regulate.

Thanks I guess Ill put my money on matchbook once I get it out bodogs poker.

[chris1195]

I tried to withdrawl and they wont let me because it hasnt been a month since i deposited, even though I met the rollover requirments. I am going to be pissed if i cant get that money. The date is 22nd of Jan. I sent an email still waitng response.

[ensign_lee]

Don't worry, Chris.

If Pinnacle was planning on running away with the money, they probably would have just shut off the site, or posted something to the effect of 'no y'all can't have your money US people.'

Just chill in the meanwhile until that 30 day hold is gone.

[chris1195]

LOl ok. I was chilled until you said WITHDRAWL NOW...then i was like oh crap . Ok well when i get it out i will sign up for matchbook. DO you get a referel bonus?

[ensign_lee]

No. Matchbook doesn't do any referral stuff just yet, unfortunately. Oh well.

Sorry I hit the panic button there. You should see the rest of the offshore industry. Holy crap.

I will say this though. Get your money out of there as soon as you can.

Keep balances low and diversified (THIS INCLUDES NETELLER). Nothing bad SHOULD happen, but you never know. Neteller is now the only 'gaming-related' company on the London Stock Exchange that hasn't folded to US pressure.

[Harry]

This should be good for Matchbook.... I love their interface btw.

[chris1195]

hey whats the web address for matchbook? I have tried everything but keeps tellimg me page cant be found.

[ensign_lee]

http://www.matchbook.com/