Action against Smart Live

[DaveKumar]

Hi all,

 

As the administrators have said we should carry out dicussions here, I thought I would kick it off.

 

Thanks to Dogshead for leading on the request to Companies House. I have suggested to him that he overtly state that we believe Smart Live has been trading whilst insolvent. This seems quite probable given how long people have been owed money and the fact they kept making excuses or ignoring your communications. If this is found to be true, then even the directors can be held personally responsible to pay back debts and barred from being a director for 15 years. Otherwise, since it is a limited company, it is harder to hold anyone responsible but the company itself (even the shareholder's liability is limited). This is part of the fraud issue and since it has been overtly stated that they were trading without a licence, I believe it is worth stating this other part of the issue overtly too.

 

 

[cocopop3011]

Hi all,

 

As the administrators have said we should carry out dicussions here, I thought I would kick it off.

 

Thanks to Dogshead for leading on the request to Companies House. I have suggested to him that he overtly state that we believe Smart Live has been trading whilst insolvent. This seems quite probable given how long people have been owed money and the fact they kept making excuses or ignoring your communications. If this is found to be true, then even the directors can be held personally responsible to pay back debts and barred from being a director for 15 years. Otherwise, since it is a limited company, it is harder to hold anyone responsible but the company itself (even the shareholder's liability is limited). This is part of the fraud issue and since it has been overtly stated that they were trading without a licence, I believe it is worth stating this other part of the issue overtly too.

 

Hello DaveKumar

 

I'm not sure if I've missed something here but I don't actually recall this being brought up before? Has it?

[Blackjack69]

Cheers for opening the new discussion here Dave, yep lets keep pushing and keep each other in the loop.

Am waiting for Companies House to come back to me after all my personal evidence sent in..

 

cheers

 

Ryan

[cocopop3011]

Hang on...Am I seriously missing something here? What exactly has happened guys? Are you saying that Smart Live are definitely still trading and what has happened for you to make this assumption - Please elaborate so we can all understand.

[DaveKumar]

Hi cocopop,

 

We were having an extended discussion on the review board previously.

 

I believe they may have been insolvent before they lost their licence. This is because they were unable to pay people for months (both players and staff) whilst ignoring enquiries, fobbing people off and encouring people to continue betting more. I have heard from ex-employees that they were still trading after most of the staff left due to non-payment. They also offered people to take advantage of new deals (from what I understand of what others have said) after they lost their licence. If so, then Smart Live have committed fraud. It is up to Action Fraud to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to prove this in a criminal court.

 

They are not trading now and have abandoned the property owing rent to the estate agent.

 

You can look through the reviews page for any further information.

 

All the best,

 

Dave

[ValDes]

Hi there and welcome to AskGamblers. 

 

First of all, glad you finally decided to take the advice given by our Support team and continue the discussion here at the forum which seems to be the most suitable place considering the situation which you have been dealing with. 

 

Let us know if you need further assistance. 

[jonboka]

Suspect this is our guy:

Twitter: KasimGaripoglu

Facebook: kasim dot garipoglu dot 9

Instagram: kasimgaripoglu

Company: gk-group

(I can't post links due to account restrictions it seems)

 

Specialises in 'alternative finance'....

[cocopop3011]

Hi cocopop,

 

We were having an extended discussion on the review board previously.

 

I believe they may have been insolvent before they lost their licence. This is because they were unable to pay people for months (both players and staff) whilst ignoring enquiries, fobbing people off and encouring people to continue betting more. I have heard from ex-employees that they were still trading after most of the staff left due to non-payment. They also offered people to take advantage of new deals (from what I understand of what others have said) after they lost their licence. If so, then Smart Live have committed fraud. It is up to Action Fraud to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to prove this in a criminal court.

 

They are not trading now and have abandoned the property owing rent to the estate agent.

 

You can look through the reviews page for any further information.

 

All the best,

 

Dave

 

Oh I see! Thanks so much for explaining this to me. Have you fallen a victim of this fraud yourself?

[DaveKumar]

Oh I see! Thanks so much for explaining this to me. Have you fallen a victim of this fraud yourself?

Thankfully not, but I know people who have been severely affected and I will do anything I can to make sure Smart Live does not get away with it.

[DaveKumar]

Suspect this is our guy:

Twitter: KasimGaripoglu

Facebook: kasim dot garipoglu dot 9

Instagram: kasimgaripoglu

Company: gk-group

(I can't post links due to account restrictions it seems)

 

Specialises in 'alternative finance'....

This is the guy who supposedly owns the sharehoding company, Eagle Internet Investments Ltd. Although we do not currently have enough evidence that this is the case.

 

The other significant person is the CEO from the time that the fraud was taking place. Someone I know spoke to a debt collector and they have access to information about companies the general public don't. This debt collector said that this CEO actually left half way through August, not in July. Also a couple of other directors left in the last two weeks. Apparently this debt collector wouldn't give any other information unless they are employed.

[Mcraig89]

Hi guys, I am owed £1754 by smartlive from a withdrawal I made 11.06.16 and never recieved - I am very worried I will never get to see my money. I really hope this can be solved and someone is made to pay all of us!

[ValDes]

Smart Live Gaming Casino complaints history with AGCCS /AskGamblers Casino Complaints Service/ is simply awful! You can check it all here - http://www.askgamblers.com/online-casinos/smart-live-gaming-casino-review/complaints

 

The reason why we continued accepting complaints against them despite their complete unresponsiveness over the last couple of months before being shut down is that in case they get a new owner /and that's quite possible to happen considering previous experience with operators went broke /  there's pretty big chance to get your money, eventually. Solving unresolved complaints with the AGCCS is a must for any new or existing owner having in mind the influence which AGCCS already has over majority of players who deem necessary conducting a minimum of a due diligence before joining any online casino. 

[Mcraig89]

Smart Live Gaming Casino complaints history with AGCCS /AskGamblers Casino Complaints Service/ is simply awful! You can check it all here - http://www.askgamblers.com/online-casinos/smart-live-gaming-casino-review/complaints

 

The reason why we continued accepting complaints against them despite their complete unresponsiveness over the last couple of months before being shut down is that in case they get a new owner /and that's quite possible to happen considering previous experience with operators went broke / there's pretty big chance to get your money, eventually. Solving unresolved complaints with the AGCCS is a must for any new or existing owner having in mind the influence which AGCCS already has over majority of players who deem necessary conducting a minimum of a due diligence before joining any online casino.

Thanks for the information, I will be checking back reguarly to see if there are any developments. This seems to be the only place with information so thank you guys so far

[ValDes]

Another good idea of trying to find help with this terrible situation could be contacting UKGC themselves and asking for additional information what your next steps could be to protect your rights and interests. As an authority body which issued and granted the operating licence to the company behind Smart Live Gaming casino they are supposed to provide further assistance to any player who has suffered negative consequences due to their financial bankrupt and/or at least state some company info which could later be used for potential small court claims. 

[DaveKumar]

Another good idea of trying to find help with this terrible situation could be contacting UKGC themselves and asking for additional information what your next steps could be to protect your rights and interests. As an authority body which issued and granted the operating licence to the company behind Smart Live Gaming casino they are supposed to provide further assistance to any player who has suffered negative consequences due to their financial bankrupt and/or at least state some company info which could later be used for potential small court claims. 

I believe several people have contacted them already and have not received much help so far...

[DaveKumar]

Hi guys, I am owed £1754 by smartlive from a withdrawal I made 11.06.16 and never recieved - I am very worried I will never get to see my money. I really hope this can be solved and someone is made to pay all of us!

Go to the reviews section and send a message to the user who posts as Dogshead. He/she is collating a list of all people owed money and has already sent an intial list to Companies House to ensure Smart Live cannot be struck off. You should also contact Action Fraud with any evidence in case legal action needs to be taken.

[frankel]

hi all I have sent a letter to them complaining about there lack of help is allright them saying they cant get involved with this and that but it is not good enough, you got people here owed thousands and it cant be aloud to go on like this, I myself are only owed about 500 but I really feel for the people that are owed a lot money and the contempt we have had from these people has been disgraceful anyway I hope they come up with something and prove me wrong. 

[frankel]

sorry new ish with computers  I was complaining about the gambling commission lol

[supernuk]

 

Firstly Dave big thanks for starting this thread!

 

I'm sharing email correspondence I'm sharing this as people shouldn't Cite the Uk gambling commission as a go to source!

 

 

 

 

Dear Mr. Wordley,

 

You contacted us recently regarding Smartlive Gaming (which operated under the licence of Smart TV Broadcasting) in relation to non-payment of winnings. We apologise for the delay in responding.

 

We can confirm that the operator surrendered their licence with us on the 12 August 2016.

 

On the 31 August 2016 we were advised that their website has been updated to include a withdrawal request form. Therefore, if you are owed any money, you should complete this form.

 

As soon as any further information is known, for example the contact details of administrators or liquidators, this will be published on our website. here.

 

Below are some frequently asked questions that may also be of help:

 

Q. Can the Gambling Commission help me get my money back ?

 

A: No, unfortunately we cannot do this. We are not set up to recover debts for customers or become involved in contractual disputes. We do not in any way guarantee funds deposited by consumers or prizes due.

 

Q. Do you check on the financial status of an operator when you grant a licence?

 

A: Yes. When the Gambling Commission licenses an operator we look at suitability, including their financial circumstances, but we do not oversee their businesses on a day-to-day basis or monitor the financial health of operators directly in real time. That would impose significant regulatory costs and could give a false sense of security to customers. Instead we focus on whether the operator is ensuring that the terms and conditions that their customers sign up to are fair and open.

 

When we grant licences we do take into account an operator’s record in dealing with customers’ funds and their overall financial status. But the operator is responsible for the day-to-day running of its business.

 

Q. I can’t get any response from the operator. What should I do to get my money back?

 

A: People using gambling operators do so at their own risk. While remote operators licensed by the Commission must keep customer funds in a separate account/s there is no guarantee that this will ensure that customers get all their money back if the company runs into financial difficulties.

 

Q: Didn’t you have any prior knowledge that this was likely to happen?

 

A: The company did make contact with us to alert us to difficulties that they may have been experiencing.

 

As soon as any further information is known, for example the contact details of administrators or liquidators, this will be published on our website. here.

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

 

 

Harley Scott

 

Licensing Officer

 

GAMBLING COMMISSIN

 

 

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----

From: "Lewis

Sent: 15 August 2016 16:38

To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>

Subject: Complaint

 

Can I just say I'm bitterly disappointed in the way the gambling commission functions!

 

Smartlive were not paying withdrawals from early June! Late May!

 

They have been allowed to steal 1000s from people, how this can't be a major legal issue I don't know!

 

I see from your last statement that smart live gaming told you they were going to take action to pay owing funds via banks transfers!

 

This will never happen one because they are liars two do they even legally have to after they give up their licence!

 

I'll be writing to the government as I feel you should do much much more to prevent casinos doing this!

 

The only advice I have had from you is take legal advice but one that takes money two I highly doubt I can claim against a company who has folded!

 

I'd just love to know what's happened to the thousands of pounds they have stolen from customers!

 

They were new to me but when you see they have a uk gambling licence you would hope money would be safe!

 

Just so fed up £1085 Is loads of money just to be stolen by a rouge casino! As I said I'd love to know what has happened to the thousands they owe out!

 

Smartlive have no acting email phone line or live chat I'm sure they have no intention to pay what they owe! The advice I got from a Mrs Barrett was play with the big boys next time! Great that makes me feel loads better in future monitor casinos more closely! They were still taking deposits 3 working days after they shouldn't stealing more money!

 

The whole thing is a farce!

 

I'm sure smartlive are laughing I'm certainly not! Also your licences count for nothing!

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

 

 

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[raverbabe]

Sorry but have to say... ROUGE CASINO ???? Argggh!!! See this every day, I know it's only a small thing but god it's not a hard word to spell! ROGUE! Drives me crazy !! 

Okay now I've said that, I apologize so much if it seems pedantic but really it does my head in... sorry if I sound like a spelling/grammar *****...

 

 

Now much more importantly, Smart Live, absolutely agree with you these guys totally knew they had no money long before they apparently surrendered their license. They hoped they could dig their way out of the hole with fresh deposits, but of course it didn't happen - all those bad reports around the web of people not being paid is bound to reduce their flow of new players and customers. I truly hope everybody involved with this so-called casino is prosecuted and jailed nevermind forbidden from directing a company.

[suspect86]

Hi I'd just like to mention that these owe me £525 so I'm another in a massive list of owed people. I read that some 5 figure sums are owed to some people.

 

I hope somebody does buy the company & pay us all.

[supernuk]

The email was wrote At speed... But massive apologies for spelling Rogue as Rouge!

 

As you said far more important issues to address, seemed a tad irrelevant to mention spelling errors! people have lost thousands of pounds. sorry raverbave have you lost any money with smartlive?

[DaveKumar]

Hi I'd just like to mention that these owe me £525 so I'm another in a massive list of owed people. I read that some 5 figure sums are owed to some people.

 

I hope somebody does buy the company & pay us all.

The value of the shares is £7.9 million (check Companies House). The shareholder seems to be involved in the fraud (according to some ex-employees). So, if the company is forced into liquidation, there will be enough money to pay people. Or, if they are taken to court and found guilty, the situation will be the same. I hope no one buys it and the relevant people are held responsible.

[Harry_BKK]

Worth mentioning might be that for UK players SmartLive had chosen only the "basic" player funds protection, see below. This means that all players who are owed money will have to join the queue with ALL other creditors and i am sure there will be plenty, starting with the estate agent for the office rentals. But at least there is good hope that UK players will see a share of their money, i doubt it will be 100%.

 

If a new owner is taking over, which i highly doubt considering the substantial damage done to the brand in the past months, then there will be a deal between insolvency administrator, UKGC and that new owner on how debts are being dealt with. In most cases creditors never receive the full amount and accept an offer just to make sure they receive something.

 

Important is that players register their claim!!

 

As for players under the MGA license things look much more bleak and worrying as the regulation is much weaker and puts player funds/winnings at the end of the creditor queue.

 

Best hope is that the shareholders/directors of SLG are found guilty of deliberate insolvency delay, then they will be liable with their private funds, even their house. This would substantially increase the amount in the insolvency fund and subsequently the share each creditor will be getting.

[spyrosc2]

Hi guys,

 

Missed a lot of action last 15 days as i was on vacation.

 

Had stolen a total of 5098 euros from Smartlive, my complaint was posted here and obviously was unresolved.

 

http://www.askgamblers.com/casino-complaints/delayed-withdrawals-2

 

My question is, should we fill their withdrawal request form? If yes, anyone knows what is a Sort Code? In my country we use Swift/BIC apart from IBAN, no idea what a sort code is.

 

Hope we all get paid one day,

 

Cheers