Chargeback on dodgy gaming site

grumbler

dalesrider wrote: »

There for service provided....

How do you know that the service was provided? The only 'service' we've seen so far was taking the money.

meer53

Did you sign up as a new customer ? Could these t & c's apply to you at all ?

12. Option-World Bonus Policy
Option-World offers a number of attractive reward features to its new and regular customers. Bonuses and one time trading credits rewarded to customers are part of Option-World's promotions program. These bonuses are limited time offers and the terms and conditions associated with any bonus rewards are subject to change.

In order to withdraw , you will be required to execute a minimum trading volume of 30 times for every $1 bonus. The bonus can only be withdrawn when the preceding stipulation has been fully met and fulfilled.

The withdrawal of funds from an account can not be completed until the bonus conditions have been satisfied.

Option-World offers attractive reward features like the IPAD2 for deposits of $5,000 or more, we reserve the right to change the terms and conditions with reference to each promotion. Please contact us for individual trading volume required on all our promotions.

madein83

ElkyElky wrote: »

Why on earth would you even give money to a gambling website that isn't based in the UK? At least if it was a UK company that screwed you over, you'd have some avenue to go after them (small claims, trading standards etc).

The same reason I trade with a US broker or take holidays abroad - it's an international market.

Besides, this is an EU-based company (Cyprus). Presumably out of the reams of paperwork coming out of Brussels, there's some mention of cross-border gaming protections?

ElkyElky wrote: »

As everyone says, you paid for the privilege of playing a game.. which you played successfully. It would be a different matter if you weren't able to play any games or even log in to the website.

No, I played for the privilege of an opportunity to win. If they don't allow withdrawals, my chance of winning was 0% - therefore, the service not anywhere close to its advertising.

If I buy a faulty toaster and the shop refused to give my money back, you wouldn't say "well, at least you got to keep the box"! Why is this any different?

dalesrider

grumbler wrote: »

How do you know that the service was provided? The only 'service' we've seen so far was taking the money.

So if no service was provided......

How did the OP manage to win

madein83

meer53 wrote: »

Did you sign up as a new customer ? Could these t & c's apply to you at all ?

No, those don't apply to me.

I never received any welcome bonuses (and rejected all offered) and played with a straight bet, as I always do. My entitlement to the winnings is not in dispute; the fact that they are ignoring my withdrawals requests is.

This is straight-up, blatant theft. They swiped my card for €200 with no intention of ever making a payout, whether I won the bet or not.

grumbler

dalesrider wrote: »

So if no service was provided......

How did the OP manage to win

Firstly, the OP just wants to get the deposit back - regardless of winning.
Secondly, the winnings are fictional as they are impossible to withdraw. Hence, so is the 'service'.

meer53

madein83 wrote: »

No, those don't apply to me.

I never received any welcome bonuses (and rejected all offered) and played with a straight bet, as I always do. My entitlement to the winnings is not in dispute; the fact that they are ignoring my withdrawals requests is.

This is straight-up, blatant theft. They swiped my card for €200 with no intention of ever making a payout, whether I won the bet or not.

All you can do then is to contact Natwest to ask their advice.

madein83

dalesrider wrote: »

I never said anything about the winnings.....

You said about charging back the origonal stake. Which you used... There for service provided....

Nothing the bank can do to claim back the winnings.
Not sure where you could take this.
Perhaps talk to consumer direct.

Totally agree they should not be able to withhold the winnings.

I understand the technical distinction, but if the original deposit was taken with the intention of out-right fraud, is that not grounds for a chargeback?

Consider a more mundane example. You pay for a table on a credit card. What you receive instead is a chair. In both cases, you're still receiving furniture... but it's not what you asked for, nor what you originally put your money down for.

In this case, the shop has failed to fulfil its contractual obligation and reason for the purchase, and either has to a) replace the chair with the table you actually asked for or b) refund your money.

In my case, I paid money in order to receive the chance to win more back and what I actually received was a 100% guarantee of theft and loss.

How is it any different?

dalesrider

madein83 wrote: »

This is straight-up, blatant theft. They swiped my card for €200 with no intention of ever making a payout, whether I won the bet or not.

Credit Card Withdrawal:
All funds invested by a credit card can be withdrawn to the same card only. The maximum withdrawal amount to a credit card can not exceed the amount invested. Any additional funds can be withdrawn via wire transfer.

Have to take it this alos covers debit card as they make no mention of this.

So if you are trying to take the whole 280 out.

FAQ

Crafty...

madein83

grumbler wrote: »

Firstly, the OP just wants to get the deposit back - regardless of winning.
Secondly, the winnings are fictional as they are impossible to withdraw. Hence, so is the 'service'.

Precisely!

The fact that anyone could see this differently is actually causing a slight loss in my faith in humanity - or at least Internet forums