Offshore Sportsbooks / Credit Cards ?!?!?!

[chalkeater]

Using my MBNA VISA, which I have been a card member since 1998, I have made several deposits to Bowman's Sportsbook without any problems (no cash advance charge either). I am in good standing with my bank and have never been late on any payments.

Given the fact that I like playing the baskets, I have decided to look for some new outs, as Bowman's considers me a sharp, and I don't get their square lines anymore. I've signed up with WagerStreet (slow on line moves), VIP Sports (same as Wagerstreet - also owned I believed by the same company) and Olympic. Each time I have tried to use my MBNA VISA card, it has been declined. Understanding that it may have to do with a gambling related charge (even though they have approved it in the past for Bowman's Sportsbook - which it shows on my statement), I then decide to try Neteller. Two attempts with Neteller and two declines.

Any suggestions besides sending money through my bank account (which I am not in favor of) or wiring them money? I want the security of using my CC, but I'm having difficulty getting my transactions approved. I've even tried my AT&T Universal MasterCard (through CitiBank) and it was declined as well when trying to fund my account at Olympic (haven't tried anywhere else - figured there was no point).

Anyone know of any credit card companies that allow gambling related transactions? Any sportsbook take Discover or American Express? My beef with MBNA is I pay my bills on time, I have a $26,000 line of credit (which 95 % is free and available to use even as a cash advance) and have been approved using it at Bowman's several times in the past, so why decline my authorization when you know I am going to pay off my bill/debt. Almost makes me want to cancel my card.

Thanks for allowing me to vent. Suggestions anyone?

CE

 

[SteelVagina]

Why don't you take your card and use it at WU to send the funds to a book. If you are so dead bent on using a CC this method will allow you that luxury.

 

[chalkeater]

Do you know if Western Union will charge my CC as a cash advance or as a regular credit card charge?

I suppose that information is available on their website, but if you have first hand knowledge, please let me know.

Thank you.

CE

 

[BSBboy]

wu is an option. you can also try calling into the book as sometimes they have 'alternative' processors.

 

Sportingbet family takes most US CC's through their processors...you could give them a shot. I think the mods could set you up with links to their books. I've never had problems getting paid EXCEPT for one bank wire which they had software problems over the new year (I am still waiting for the wire originally issued 01/01/04 and reissued 01/09/04...I'll let you know if it's there tomorrow).

sb

 

[chalkeater]

Haven't heard too much about SportingBet ... how do they stack up to the rest (OLY, CRIS, RIO/SKY, etc.)? Are they slower on line movements? Are they on the DBS feed?

I'm really curious about this W.U. option ...

Thanks to all that have contributed.

 

They've been pretty good...I wrote a synopsis on one of their members that I've played at for some time highlighting good and bad. I have to find it though it's in here somewhere.

I have to tell you though my main books are Pinnacle and Olympic...few are better for quick payouts IMO.

sb

 

[bigboydan]

i remember reading over at sting's place where bodog accepts like 90% of visa and MC deposits.

personaly, i wouldn't play there but still, theres another book that will probly take it.

 

[wilheim]

Sportsbet thread re. SportingBet:

http://therxforum.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=100090022&f=988094022&m=43410838

wil.

 

Thanks Wil!

sb

 

[chalkeater]

Wil, thanks for the thread. Sportsbet, thanks for the recommendation. And bigboydan, thanks for the recommendation on BoDog, but like you, I won't bother sending my money there, regardless if they accept MC or VISA.

I was able to send money using my MBNA VISA tonight through Western Union, but only for $999.99 to WagerStreet. Total charges were $1076 (W.U. fee), but WagerStreet will pick up the charges. What's disappointing to me is that WagerStreet offers a 10 % initial sign up bonus, which is competitive, but I could only deposit $999.99 because I was a first time user with Western Union. I was planning on sending at least $4000.00, but ah again, the restrictions ...

I will probably do a bank draft, even though I am reluctant, now I just have to hope that WagerStreet will bend the rules for me and still give an additional 10 % bonus for re-loading. I really like their software. Can't beat it, IMO.

I'm really wanting to cancel my MBNA Visa, even though I know another credit card company would decline the transaction as well. It's just principal. They have my word that I will pay my debt. I always pay my bills on time. Was going to vent again, but it's too late ...

Thanks all.

CE

 

[Soothsayer]

CE,

If you have multiple outs, maybe you don't need to use a credit card. You might want to ask if your books will transfer funds to whatever other book you are looking to play with. I bet with IIS, and I've been able to transfer money to and from other books, like Pinnacle for instance. $2k is the minimum transfer they process.

I personally use NETeller, and have never had any problems depositing via EFT. Perhaps you can call NETeller and find out what credit cards in their experience, have the highest rate of successful transactions???

BTW, that is a nice credit limit you have there... you never when it might come in handy. I wouldn't drop that credit card over this. To each his own!

 

[Brock Landers]

Chalk,

give prepaid ATM a shot, you can fund that with your CC, and most likely have no problems because there are many uses of that ATM card other than gambling.


www.prepaidatm.com

 

[chalkeater]

Soothsayer / Brock Landers,

I might look into transferring money from one account to another ... that's another viable option ...

Does anyone know why NETELLER was created? Was it strictly created for the online casinos / sportbooks? I'm still a little bit bitter at MBNA, mostly because they allowed me to wager at Bowman's without any problems, but won't allow me to wager at VIP Sports, WagerStreet or Olympic ... The credit line is nice, but I have an even higher one with American Express and just over 11 K each on my AT&T Universal Card and Discover Card. I would love to use my AMEX card at a book, but I haven't found one that accepts AMEX.

Brock, thanks for the tip on prepaid ATM. IF I were to fund my account using my MBNA VISA, would it be charged as a cash advance fee? Just curious.

Thanks to all that have contributed.

CE

 

[Brock Landers]

Nope, its not a cash advance, i can vouch for it being a purchase...

 

[chalkeater]

Appreciate the info ...

It's nice to have other alternatives ...

Thanks again ...

CE

 

[RobFunk]

visa is no longer allowing "chargebacks" (as of only a few weeks ago) thats probably why. and if you use your visa at neteller you no longer have to chargeback before a payout. a casino/book probably feels a lot less comfortable knowing they can not charge you back.

 

[MrTanaka]

WSEX has a deposit method called the "Everyday Card". It's basically a "phone card" you can buy that has a cash value which you can deposit into your account. Pretty sneaky

I've never tried it but it seems like a pretty good concpet.

 

[chalkeater]

My MBNA VISA card denied my transaction with WSEX and the "Everyday Card." Apparently my credit card company is up to date on the "Everyday Card" and wouldn't allow the transaction to be authorized.

Good tip though for others ...

Thanks.

CE

 

[Fishhead]

Why not just send the cash W.U........or are you using money from the credit card?

After you win, bounce around with withdrawls and deposits using NETELLER only.