Chargeback on dodgy gaming site

madein83

I do a bit of online gambling. Just for fun, Betfair, BetOnMarkets, etc.

I put a €200 deposit on a Cyprus-based gaming site and won just over €280 back.

However, the withdrawal request has been pending for over 2 weeks. They won't answer e-mails or phone calls. It looks like they're unwilling to pay out.

This deposit was placed on a UK visa debit card.

Can I claim a chargeback from my bank (Natwest) for the original deposit? The claim would be made on the basis that I was purchasing the chance to win money and when I did win money, they failed to deliver the winnings.

Thanks in advance.

Buzby

I don't believe so. The terms of your ability to receive a payout will depend on the explicit terms of the promotion. Of the ones I have read, anyone who 'wins' will find they cannot remove the funds that are deemed promotional winnings - if you used this up, then your own money then winnings would be payable.

You may also find your payment is treated as a cash advance and no chargeback possible.

madein83

Buzby wrote: »

I don't believe so. The terms of your ability to receive a payout will depend on the explicit terms of the promotion. Of the ones I have read, anyone who 'wins' will find they cannot remove the funds that are deemed promotional winnings - if you used this up, then your own money then winnings would be payable.

The point is moot in my case because I did not accept any promotional offer. This is a straight bet, much the same way as if the bet had been placed by a high street bookie.

The charge has also been coded 'Point of Sale' in Internet banking, which makes me think this was not treated as a cash advance.

michaels

madein83 wrote: »

I do a bit of online gambling. Just for fun, Betfair, BetOnMarkets, etc.

I put a €200 deposit on a Cyprus-based gaming site and won just over €280 back.

However, the withdrawal request has been pending for over 2 weeks. They won't answer e-mails or phone calls. It looks like they're unwilling to pay out.

This deposit was placed on a UK visa debit card.

Can I claim a chargeback from my bank (Natwest) for the original deposit? The claim would be made on the basis that I was purchasing the chance to win money and when I did win money, they failed to deliver the winnings.

Thanks in advance.

Be very interesting to see what happens, please keep us posted if you can.

madein83

michaels wrote: »

Be very interesting to see what happens, please keep us posted if you can.

will do, thanks!

dalesrider

madein83 wrote: »

Can I claim a chargeback from my bank (Natwest) for the original deposit? The claim would be made on the basis that I was purchasing the chance to win money and when I did win money, they failed to deliver the winnings.

Thanks in advance.

Not a chance....

You money payed for the chance to play the games or place bets.
This you did. So there are no grounds for a dispute.

madein83

dalesrider wrote: »

Not a chance....

You money payed for the chance to play the games or place bets.
This you did. So there are no grounds for a dispute.

Huh? So casinos/online gaming sites are allowed to withhold WINNINGS on a whim, even when I won them fair and square?

How does that make any sense?

grumbler

dalesrider wrote: »

Not a chance....

You money payed for the chance to play the games or place bets.
This you did.

The chance only materialises if you can withdraw the winnings. If you can't the chance is zero. I.e. they sold something that didn't exist or they were incapable of delivering.

meer53

You're asking if a chargeback can be actioned for the original deposit. You used the original deposit to gamble so you received the service you paid for. Therefore no grounds for dispute.

madein83

grumbler wrote: »

The chance only materialises if you can withdraw the winnings. If you can't the chance is zero. I.e. they sold something that didn't exist or they were incapable of delivering.

Exactly my point! Someone with sense

meer53

madein83 wrote: »

Exactly my point! Someone with sense

The 2 people who have both said there are no grounds for a chargeback work in this field.

I would suggest you contact Natwest and ask for their opinion. Please let us know what they say.