If you're in Matched Betting long enough, you will end up needing to complain about a Bookmaker Making a complaint should be a fairly simple process. There will be a contact form or address on the bookmaker's homepage or contact us section, and you can then explain your situation to them in writing. Simple. Unfortunately, that isn't always the end of the story.
In the simplest terms there are two types of complaint; service and settlement.
Taking settlement first, this is where you believe you should've won a bet, or wager, and the bookmaker or casino is unwilling to pay it. This can be for a number of reasons, but normally they will fall back on their terms and conditions (sometimes very obscure ones) to refuse payment. If this happens to you, then the first thing you need to do is gather all your evidence (screen shots etc) and complain to the bookmaker themselves.
If you're complaint isn't answered to your satisfaction by the bookmaker, then you can go to an independent third party who will look into your case. The third party will be different depending on where the bookmaker is regulated. For UK regulated companies it's the IBAS who will look after you. When we say look after you, that doesn't mean you're going to get the resolution you want.
The final stage would be to then take your complaint to the regulator. Unfortunately they are unlikely to be able to help, or even want to help.
The moral of this story is that you should have stay away from less reputable and unknown bookmakers when starting out. The risk to your float will be too great at the early stage. Secondly, you should also take screenshots of offers and terms and conditions before completing an offer. These terms and conditions can often change, and unless you have the ones from when you took the offer on, you won't have a leg to stand on if contested.
The second type of complaint is related to the service you receive from a bookmaker or casino. These types of complaints can cover anything other than contesting the settlement of a bet, but mainly involve withdrawal delays. A delayed withdrawal is a key sign that a bookmaker is stuggling for funds and might be in trouble. Unfortunately it's at this stage that you are afforded less assistance by the complaint support network. The independent body have no power to get involved, and the regulator will not want to either, normally quoting that if they do get involved you are less likely to get paid!
None of this sounds particularly positive, but there are other ways of getting the result you want. Joining a forum which deals with Bookmaker Complaints and sharing your story is a great first step. Through a forum you'll find out more information,and if there is further action required, you can be part of it rather than bringing your own potentially expensive case. It's also interesting to read some of the stories and processes people go through to get their money back, including company house searches, visits to office and legal proceedings.
In the simplest terms there are two types of complaint; service and settlement.
Taking settlement first, this is where you believe you should've won a bet, or wager, and the bookmaker or casino is unwilling to pay it. This can be for a number of reasons, but normally they will fall back on their terms and conditions (sometimes very obscure ones) to refuse payment. If this happens to you, then the first thing you need to do is gather all your evidence (screen shots etc) and complain to the bookmaker themselves.
If you're complaint isn't answered to your satisfaction by the bookmaker, then you can go to an independent third party who will look into your case. The third party will be different depending on where the bookmaker is regulated. For UK regulated companies it's the IBAS who will look after you. When we say look after you, that doesn't mean you're going to get the resolution you want.
The final stage would be to then take your complaint to the regulator. Unfortunately they are unlikely to be able to help, or even want to help.
The moral of this story is that you should have stay away from less reputable and unknown bookmakers when starting out. The risk to your float will be too great at the early stage. Secondly, you should also take screenshots of offers and terms and conditions before completing an offer. These terms and conditions can often change, and unless you have the ones from when you took the offer on, you won't have a leg to stand on if contested.
The second type of complaint is related to the service you receive from a bookmaker or casino. These types of complaints can cover anything other than contesting the settlement of a bet, but mainly involve withdrawal delays. A delayed withdrawal is a key sign that a bookmaker is stuggling for funds and might be in trouble. Unfortunately it's at this stage that you are afforded less assistance by the complaint support network. The independent body have no power to get involved, and the regulator will not want to either, normally quoting that if they do get involved you are less likely to get paid!
None of this sounds particularly positive, but there are other ways of getting the result you want. Joining a forum which deals with Bookmaker Complaints and sharing your story is a great first step. Through a forum you'll find out more information,and if there is further action required, you can be part of it rather than bringing your own potentially expensive case. It's also interesting to read some of the stories and processes people go through to get their money back, including company house searches, visits to office and legal proceedings.
