Bodega/Bovada questionable deposit methods.

[Old Islander]

I have been playing online poker for at least ten years, back when only one poker site was MAC compatible. Currently, I am a frequent visitor to bodog, PlayNow and poker stars but have belonged to at least a half a dozen different online poker entities over the years.

It has always been my goal to make a deposit for the lowest cost, or for free whenever possible. Recently, I decided to make a deposit to Bodog, which I have done before via e-check which did not cost me a cent. Since my last deposit over a year ago, Bodog has eliminated most deposit methods and uses only bitcoin and credit cards. As I am in canada and bitcoin is European, I decided to use my visa to make the deposit and bite the $5 fee, which was standard.

What a surprise when I viewed my VISA account online and noticed that an extra 7% had been added. If the $5 appears on top of that, my Bodog deposit could reach 10% in fees over the initial deposit. Apparently, my Canadian money went to a Chinese bank and was exchanged for their currency and then exchanged back to Canadian to Bodog. I was hit with two transaction fees for that. Ouch!

As these extra costs for credit card use are not apparent on their site, I believe players using Bodog or Bovada should be aware of these extra fees that are not common to any other site I have used in the past decade.

Thank you and all the best on the tables.

Old Islander

 

[freestocks]

Fees are stupid.

 

[Old Islander]

Bodog responded. I got a an email today indicating that the fees would be refunded. In addition, i got a phone call from a manager to discuss the situation. For some reason, they have eliminated other deposit methods that were safe and free, such as e-check. From what I gather, it has to do with banks that view online gambling as evil and won't deal with our deposits, which is odd as the lady who called is with Kahnawake in Quebec. Aren't they involved in several poker operations?

In any case, kudos to Bodog/Bovada for resolving my current situation. Hopefully, they will find other and more acceptable deposit methods in the future. Fingers crossed!

 

[Rational Madman]

The fees are the reason why they are legal in USA (other than NJ and NV) the other 48 states all legislate somethign to prevent poker rooms making deals with banks that means that they can pay the bank directly a monthly fee and then transactions are cost-free for you. Since this isn't taxable the US govt is greedy and opposed it but NJ and NV (NV for obvious reasons) stood against this legislation and threatened huge protests in their states if it was forced onto them so there you can use the other poker rooms. In 'revenge' the contract ACR, BOL and IGN signed with the US government to be legal there involved them agreeing to not allow users from NJ or NV... Just petty really.

 

[KristaK]

this is such a great thread and super information. I have an account on Bodog and am in Canada .. few months ago i deposited $50 using direct transfer and yes i recall the fees were huge (specially exchange rate)...

so i never play there and still have the $50usd i shall need go back one day play but there is so little traffic and limited opportunities if i recall

 

[Poker Orifice]

this is such a great thread and super information. I have an account on Bodog and am in Canada .. few months ago i deposited $50 using direct transfer and yes i recall the fees were huge (specially exchange rate)...

so i never play there and still have the $50usd i shall need go back one day play but there is so little traffic and limited opportunities if i recall

I've been curious about how the play is on Bodog for the past while.
Would you be able to take a screenshot of the micro/low cash game lobby for me ... during peak hours (I'm guessing that would be 7pm ET)... and maybe the tournament lobby too?
(I tried to get onto my old Bodog account this week, but it appears my account is closed so I wasn't able to take a look at the site... maybe it's not worth playing on????)
Any help would be appreciated.