Bodog Payout problem

I deposited $50 into Bodog a few months ago. After playing for a while I decided to make a cashout of my initial buyin plus $5 (Five extra just so I would always be ahead lol). I basically did this to see how well the payout tranactions went with Bodog. Below are several emails from bodog ranging from the initial request until today.

I received my check as promised. Fortunately, I never deposited it into my bank account. After the check sat on my table for a few weeks I get an email from Bodog today. They advised me there was a banking issue with the check and not to cash it! It's a good thing it was not for a few thousand or I would have deposited it and apparently bounced my own checks thanks to Bodog issuing a rubber check!

I am waiting to hear back from them as to what the "banking issue" was. I never requested to cancel the payout as one of the emails suggest. Even if I did, it should not have been possible. I have had a check for weeks now. I prefer to use email so I will have some sort of record of correspondence. That's why I have not called them just in case anyone was curious about that.

Just curious if anyone else has had this type of problem. I will reply to this post when I hear from them again.

From: "payouts@bodog.com" Thursday, December 9, 2010 6:59 PM


Thank you for your payout request dated Thu, Dec 9, 2010 for the amount of US$ 55.00. Your Payout Reference Number is [REMOVED].

Your payout will be reviewed in the next 24 hrs. All payouts are reviewed in the order in which they are received. Please review the messages in your Bodog account for any updates relating to your payout request.

Sincerely,
Bodog Payouts Team




From: "Bodog Financial" Tuesday, December 14, 2010 10:26 PM


Dear [REMOVED],

The UPS Tracking number for your $55.00 payout with reference number [REMOVED] is "[REMOVED]". Depending on the time of day UPS begins processing your package, it make take up to 72 hours before your tracking information is posted online.

Also kindly note that UPS requires a signature upon delivery, unless you have previously provided them with a release form. If no one is available to sign for your package, we suggest you contact UPS to arrange for delivery at another time. If no one is available to sign for the package, it may be returned to us at your expense.

Best Regards,


Bodog Customer Service
e: service@bodog.com
t: 1-888-263-0000 (ext 2)


From: "payouts@bodog.com" Tuesday, January 11, 2011 5:01 PM

RE: Payout Reference Number [REMOVED]

Thank you for your recent payout request dated Thu, Dec 9, 2010 for the amount of US$ 55.00.

At your request your payout has been cancelled.

If you require any further assistance or have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Bodog Payouts Team


From: "service@bodog.com" Tuesday, January 11, 2011 5:25 PM


Dear [REMOVED]
Account: [REMOVED]

We’re contacting you in regard to your payout for the amount of $55.00 with reference number [REMOVED]. We would like to take the time to inform you that the check that was sent out to you is no longer valid as there has been a banking issue with the check. We kindly ask that you do not cash this check. We have cancelled this payout and have returned the funds back to your Bodog account. We will have your payout reissued and sent out as soon as possible. Should you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Department at the number below and a representative will be more than willing to assist you.

Best Regards,
Customer Service

Bodog. Play Hard.
service@bodog.com
1-888-263-0000 ext. 2

never had a prob with bodog. At your request your payout has been cancelled???? dont get that. now me i get a check i cash it same day. just out of self preservation

Neither do I zjohnzzz.

Glad I didn't. I would be responsible for any problems since the check was no good.

Other than the e-mail about you requesting the check be cancelled I would assume this is standard banking issues with US players. I haven't played at Bodog in years, but I never had a problem cashing out. Also their customer service is great in my experience. Why don't you just e-mail them asking whatever questions you have and about how long it will take to resolve this issue.

You can also call them, their phone support is excellent.

I did email them, below. I prefer email for the reason I stated above. This post wasn't a complaint. Maybe I should have been more clear in that regard. It was simply meant as a warning to others that may be spending money from a check that may be invalid. Most banks will charge the account holder for liabilities incurred from a "bad" check. I was also curious if anyone had encountered this problem. Sorry for the confusion. I'm sure Bodog will make good on the funds. I have only heard positive things about the payouts there. As far as how long it may take, I am not terribly concerned. If the check was for a few thousand I may feel differently .

From:[REMOVED] To: service@bodog.com Wednesday, January 12, 2011 1:36 PM



Why was the check I received canceled? Luckily, I have not attempted to deposit nor cash the check issued by Bodog. However, if I had, then I would be responsible for any problems incurred. A few weeks to notify me of a "bad" check is worrisome. In addition I never requested a cancellation of this payout as another email advised.

"RE: Payout Reference Number [REMOVED]

Thank you for your recent payout request dated Thu, Dec 9, 2010 for the amount of US$ 55.00.

At your request your payout has been cancelled.

If you require any further assistance or have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Bodog Payouts Team"

It's VERY possible that had you cashed the check quickly the funds would have been available. It may well be that the processor who issued your check had their funds frozen after you got the check (happens fairly often with US payment processors these days).

Good point WV. It appears that a poker player overseas would make more money brokering funds to US players than actually playing poker lol.

Bodog emailed a response,

Dear [REMOVED],

Thank you for contacting Bodog Customer Service.


We apologize for any inconvenience caused, in cashing your check requested December 9, 2010 in the amount of $55 with Reference Number [REMOVED] was canceled due to a banking issue. The funds are currently available in your Bodog account and we guarantee that your payout will be re-submitted as soon as possible.


Should you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best Regards,
Customer Service


Not exactly the answer I was looking for. I already knew it was a banking issue. I suppose we'll never know the reason. I will however wait before I actually spend any funds I receive from ANY poker room in the future. I wonder what time frame would be safe before using money from winnings. Life will be good if my only problem with online poker is to decide how long to wait before I can spend my winnings.

I just cashed on 01/11 for $2200. I was approved after having to fax a copy of my credit card and DL (within 24 hours the approved the payout). Waiting for fedex confirmation # though... I hope that doesn't happen to me. My friends said they have had no problems in the past. Does anyone know what bank they use or where their 3rd party poker (U.S.) payment processor is? I've seen some other nightmare posts and I'm a little worried. I'll make sure and cash it immediately in this case.

This.

Bodog isn't sending you a check. Their payment processors are, and they go up and down all the time in the US. This problem isn't limited to Bodog, FT and PS and probably every other site that caters to US users have had the same problems. In fact they've happened on a such a large scale with FT and PS that it has made national news. In every case, the site made good on the money, often with a little added bonus money for the trouble.

I will say, however, that my one cashout experience from Bodog was much less pleasant than from PS and FT. I had to use MyPayLinQ for my withdrawal since that's how I deposited, and it's such a ghetto online payment system. The site looks like it was designed by an 8th grader who took a computer class once and read Web Design for Dummies (actually, the Dummies series are pretty good and would never encourage this sort of design). Over a month later I finally got a hand-written postal money order -- seriously, some dude went to the post office and bought a M.O. for my payout and filled it out right there, then mailed it in a hand-written envelope.