Online sports bettors were given a rather rude awakening Saturday morning with the news that two longstanding US-facing sportsbooks – BetJamaica and TheGreek – were no longer on the menu. BetJamaica is shuttering entirely, but US account holders will see their balances transferred to Heritage Sports, while account holders outside the US will be transferred to TheGreek. If a player already has an account at TheGreek, then the two balances will be merged.
TheGreek is turning off the taps for US players only, but again, these players’ balances will be transferred to Heritage. For both BetJamaica and TheGreek customers, all pending wagers, including props futures, will be honored at Heritage. Heritage will not institute a rollover requirement and players will receive a 10% free play on their existing balance as a ‘welcome gift’. Players will need to login as normal via BetJamaica and TheGreek, after which their accounts will be moved to Heritage.
TheGreek’s owner Spiro has personally guaranteed player funds and withdrawals via Heritage. Heritage, previously an ‘invite-only’ sportsbook, has announced that it will not be sending out any further invitations this year in order to accommodate the sudden influx of players from BetJamaica and TheGreek.
While the announcements are yet another nick in the ‘death by a thousand cuts’ torture being inflicted on US-based online gamblers, there is some solace to be taken from the responsible manner with which these two books are handling the shutdown. Unlike, say, betED, whose players are still struggling for answers as to why those responsible have yet to refund their missing balances.
