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Online Casino Payment Terms: What can go wrong? Read along!

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Deposits and withdrawals are two of the most important transactions that take place when playing at an online casino. For this reason, players can expect for the online casino to set certain payment terms. These payment terms can be unfair and disadvantageous for the players, especially in the case of illegal online casinos. Therefore, players should always be on the lookout for such dishonest payment terms because the payment terms can be a hindrance to them when the time for withdrawing comes. The fact that the withdrawal did not go as smooth as expected can be a source of frustration for the individual who wants to cash out their winnings. This article will highlight a number of significant focus areas that you need to pay attention to in order to be more aware of what might go wrong with the payment terms that will negatively impact your ability to withdraw your winnings at a particular online casino. In addition to the above stated, it is always a good idea to apply your common sense when going over the set online casino terms, if something feel off you should not proceed with gambling at that particular casino. After all, there are a number of illegal casinos that are looking to ‘scam’ players.

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Withdrawal limitations in the (general) terms and conditions

Before anyone dares to place a wager at a certain online casino they should first review the (general) terms and conditions of the online casino, after all these terms and conditions are a tell-tale sign of an honest operator. Dishonest operators, in other words, illegal casinos, almost always draft their terms and conditions in a way that would only benefit them. This means that these dishonest online casinos are going to look for ways to avoid paying out (big sums of money to) the players.

money

One of the way online casinos try to hinder the players from cashing out is by setting a maximum withdrawal limit, which will be stated in the (general) terms and conditions of the online casino. These maximum withdrawal limits will allow players to only cash out the given maximum amount within a certain period. Online casinos can set specific amounts per week and per month. They may even restrict the number of times the players can withdraw. Furthermore, the withdrawal limit can vary depending on the payment method that the player prefers. However, the online casinos can set a too low maximum withdrawal limit, which would not allow players to cash out their ‘big’ winnings. Should a player for example accumulate a sum of 250.000 euros, but the maximum withdrawal amount of the casino is 2.000 euros per month, the player would then only be able to cash out the 2.000 and the amount that is left goes back to the house (this being the online casino). This can be especially frustrating for high rollers who deposit more and who therefore expect a larger accumulation of winnings. Besides a too low maximum withdrawal limit online casinos may also impose a too high minimum withdrawal limit, which can also be a hindrance for players because they would not be able to withdraw their money if they have not accumulated enough. These would ‘force’ player to maybe play/wager more that the initially intended to.

Furthermore, something that is worth mentioning is the fact that some (illegal) online casinos have set the maximum deposit limit to be the same as or larger than the maximum withdrawal limit. Players, especially high rollers, might be tempted to deposit the maximum set amount in the hopes of making more money. But would they really be making money if the maximum withdrawal amount is the same as or lower than the amount they have deposited? For this reason, players should be aware of the fact that a bigger investment/deposit does not mean that they will make more money off of that.

Slow payments and errors

Withdrawals at online casinos have to be quick and seamless, after all, this is what keeps the players happy. Player should be aware of the fact that most casinos have a certain transaction time for withdrawals. These transaction times also differs per payment method, starting from a few hours and up to a week. However, some dishonest operators/illegal casinos might set a much larger transfer period, such as a month or several months. Dishonest online casinos will delay paying out the players for months.  These types of online casinos do not inform players of longer unexpected delays and once a player decides to contact the online casino themselves, the online casinos do not provide the player with a valid response. In their response, they will be very vague, not providing the players with a clear answer as to when their money will be transferred to them. Upon every contact, online casinos will use any excuse to prolong the pay-out. Dishonest online casinos might even hide behind an error and/or glitch in a certain game that has ‘occurred’. These types of operators will use any “technical issue” as a justification for delaying the pay-out or even avoiding playing out the player completely, without actually having any proof of this technical error. They might also use other excuses which according to their (general) terms and conditions allows them to withhold or void pay out.

Using the terms and conditions against the players

In connection to what was stated in the previous paragraph, besides the excuse of a technical error, dishonest online casino will also try to use other clauses from their terms and conditions that allow them to void/cancel winnings in order for the player not to be able to withdrawal. These are all unethical practices, that do not usually occur at licensed online casinos.

In the general terms and conditions, where the payment terms are also stated, individuals can expect to find terms that enable the online casino to void and/or withhold withdrawal. Dishonest operators will try to use these terms as an excuse to refuse payment. These terms are also very unfair for the players.  So, what type of terms are these? In the case of an active bonus for example, online casinos are entitled to deny withdrawal to the player if they have not satisfied the set bonus requirements, such as the wagering requirement within a set time limit. Sometimes online casinos (mostly illegal casinos) deliberately set a high wagering requirement, knowing that it will be very difficult for players to fulfil it. Besides technical errors, this can also be a way for the (illegal) online casino to avoid paying out. In order to avoid paying out winnings, online casinos might even label certain players as bonus abusers or as someone playing low-risk strategies to withdraw promotional money. According to the (general) terms and conditions of online casinos, this is a reason for voiding the withdrawal. Thus, you need to be careful that you do not abuse any bonus promotion or get caught trying to apply a low-risk strategy, that would result in your withdrawal being denied/voided.

Furthermore, in the terms and conditions of mostly illegal casinos, it can be seen that the operator imposes certain restriction for the withdrawal of funds that are not allowed. For example, players could be required to participate in promotional activities/publicity or else the online casino prohibits them from withdrawing. These types of payment terms are not allowed, as a player you should therefore always be on the lookout for such terms that unnecessarily restrict you from withdrawing. In addition to this, in the terms and conditions of certain (illegal) online casinos one might come across a payment term that requires them to play a certain number of times in order for them to be able to withdraw their funds. This type of restriction is not allowed, seeing as this also imposes an unnecessary restriction on the player for withdrawal, but mind you, this type of restriction is not the same as a wagering requirement for a bonus. Online casinos are allowed to require the player to bet the bonus amount a certain number of times, they, however, are not allowed to require the player to play a certain number of times in order for them to be able to withdrawal (when a bonus is not involved).

In addition to what was previously stated, there are also other arbitrary payment terms that one might not be aware that they are not allowed, but (illegal) online casinos still apply them in order for the player not to withdraw the funds. Another payment term that (illegal) online casinos set is a term about dormancy (inactivity within a certain period of time) that would allow them to confiscate the funds of the player, making them not able to withdraw. Furthermore, another unfair payment term for the player is a term that requires them to verify their identity within a short, specified timeframe or otherwise their winning will be voided. Online casinos might also require players to submit expensive notarized documents, just so they can prolong the pay-out. As you can see, these are all ways for the dishonest operator to withhold pay out while hiding behind their unfair terms and conditions.

Safe payment methods

While gambling online, it is crucial to have safe payment options. In order to achieve this, online casinos offer players a number of payment methods to choose from. However, online casinos (mostly illegal ones) draft payment terms that restrict the payment methods that the players can choose from.  For example, these online casinos may draft payment terms that require players to only use their credit card. Individuals have to be cautious of such payment terms because they could easily fall victim to fraud. One should never choose an online casino that only offers one payment method for deposit and withdrawal.

Pending/reverse withdrawals

The time frame you have to cancel a cash out or withdrawal request is referred to as ‘pending withdrawals’ or better yet ‘reverse withdrawals’. Online casinos will draft payment terms that allow players to cancel/reverse the pay-out while the withdrawal is pending. This is a tactic that the online casinos (not limited to illegal casinos) employ in the hopes that a player might change his mind and cancel the withdrawal. After all, online casinos only generate money when individuals are playing and losing. When one chose to reverse a withdrawal, the online casinos will not profit. Thus, they are hoping that by giving you a “time out,” you would reconsider and reverse your request. The con of this type of payment term is the fact that the players have to wait longer for their money. One would therefore be tempted to cancel the withdrawal and keep playing with that money. By doing this, you might, of course, run the risk of losing the money and withdrawing anything in the end. Thus, reverse withdrawals are not illegal, but might still be disadvantageous for individuals.

Final remarks

As this article illustrated, some dishonest operators will use ‘predatory terms and conditions’ with unfair terms that hinder the player from cashing out. These types of operators might use their disadvantageous payment terms to prolong payment or completely void the funds that a player has accumulated. One such term might be a too low maximum withdrawal limit that the player can withdraw. Another unfair term might be the requirement to participate in publicity or to provide an expensive notary document in order to be able to withdraw. Most of this type of predatory terms and conditions cannot usually be found at legal online casinos because these casinos have to follow a strict set of laws. However, individuals have to still be cautious of the payment terms that the online casino has set. As a rule of thumb, if a specific payment term does not feel right, then chances are that it is a term that will only benefit the operator and therefore is unfair for you, the player. You would therefore be better off playing at another online casinos that does not set unfair payment terms. Finally, players should keep in mind that not every payment/withdrawal requirement is unfair. Online casinos are allowed to set certain requirements, such as a wagering requirement when a bonus is involved, for instance.

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