Unknown Sendmail / DNS Errors

Hello to both groups, i wasnt'sure which one of these groups this
might pertain to so I'm cross posting it.

Here is some basic information:
Domain in question: gamerate.net
nameservers: ns.webstakeshosting.com, ns2.webstakeshosting.com
OS: Cobalt Linux ( on Cobalt RaQ3i ), so basically Redhat 6.2
Bind version: 8.2.3
Sendmail Version: ESMTP Sendmail 8.9.3/8.9.3

zone records apparently are all set up correctly ( i've done plenty
and never this problem ).

when i try to email for example ghartl@gamerate.net i get the
following error

----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
<ghartl@gamerate.net>

----- Transcript of session follows -----
550 <ghartl@gamerate.net>... Host unknown (Name server: games: host
not found)

i also get this error when i try to sendmail locally using sendmmail
-v ghartl@gamerate.net

output of zone file:
========================================
$TTL 86400
gamerate.net. IN SOA ns.webstakeshosting.com. support.curwe.com. (
2004021411
10800
3600
604800
86400
)
gamerate.net. IN NS ns.webstakeshosting.com.
gamerate.net. IN NS ns2.webstakeshosting.com.
; End SOA Header
;
; Do Not edit BIND db files directly.
; Use the administrative web user interface
; /admin/ -> Control Panel -> DNS Parameters
; Custom additions may be made by creating a file of the same name as
this but
; with a; .include suffix. Click Save Changes in the DNS web
interface and
;the inclusion will be made.
;
gamerate.net. in a 208.178.138.12
mail.gamerate.net. in a 208.178.138.12
www.gamerate.net. in a 208.178.138.12
gamerate.net. in mx 30 mail.gamerate.net.
======end zone=====

anyone with any suggestions please PLEASE HELP!!!

Cheers,

Gary