Complaints About Gambling Sites
Unbiased, “No Stones Unturned” Reviews by Industry Experts.
- Legal Gambling Sites
- Complaints About Gambling Sites Online
- Complaints About Gambling Sites 2019
- Gambling Site Web
Ranked for Safety, Secure Payouts and Quality of Service.
You might want to read our comprehensive reviews.
So, you’re interested in finding the best online gambling sites available? Well, if so, you’ve definitely come to the right place!
Gambling Commission We take complaints about the Gambling Commission or our employees seriously. We want to deal with complaints properly and quickly, and we also want to learn from them. You can make a complaint about the Gambling Commission if you are not happy with the service you have received from us. A review of an online casino, for example, will feature different information to a review of an online betting site. A lot of the sites we review are what we call “all in one” gambling sites. These are the ones that offer multiple forms of betting and gaming, and they’ve become far more common than those that specialize in just one form. AskGamblers Casino Complaint Service /AGCCS/ is an online mediation service offered to registered AskGamblers members facing an issue with any online casino listed and reviewed on our website. AGCCS is a 100% free service for both players and operators and not sponsored by any gambling company. Before submitting your complaint, please read the. Casino.guru is an independent source of information about online casinos and online casino games, not controlled by any gambling operator. All our reviews and guides are created honestly, according to the best knowledge and judgement of the members of our independent expert team; however, they are intended for informative purposes only. What Other Review Sites Do. The reason for this is that a lot of review sites will allow online casinos and sportsbooks to pay for better reviews and higher placement on recommendation lists. It’s fairly obvious what the problem with this is. You aren’t ever getting a real picture of what the casino.
Welcome to LegitGamblingSites.com, where our team of experts continuously researches and reviews online gambling sites from all over the internet in an effort to weed out unsafe, unethical sites and pass along the best options to our readers.
No matter what criteria you’re looking for, we’ve got recommendations for you. You can search by the country you live in, the sport you want to bet on, the type you’re looking for, or even more specific criteria like payout speed and real money wagering.
If it involves placing bets online, we have tips, strategies, and trusted online gambling sites that deal with that topic.
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Our experts have determined that the websites listed above are the top gambling sites on the internet. However, the rankings and recommendations may change depending on what activities or factors that you prioritize most.
For example, we can provide the best online gambling sites available to US customers, legit places to bet on baseball, or the top online casinos at which to play slot machines.
While all of our trusted sites are both safe and reliable, some are better for specific activities than others. After all, a company that excels at live sports betting may not be your best option for playing poker or bingo.
It’s all about finding the best fit. That’s why we take the time to organize our website based on each particular variable, so you always get the best gambling sites for the activity in which you’re interested!
Best Online Gambling Sites by Location
When it comes to gambling online, sometimes the rules and legality of it all can be confusing. Depending on where you’re located, there are different laws that dictate which types of wagers are allowed, banking methods you can utilize, and websites you may be able to access.
Organizing our guides and recommendations by location makes it a breeze to identify legit online gambling sites that service your area!
We advise our readers to check out our location-specific pages to educate themselves on the legal status of online gaming and what options they may have.
For ExampleIn the United Kingdom, gambling is licensed and regulated, which makes finding safe gaming sites easy for residents there.
On the other hand, the United States has confusing online gambling laws. It’s illegal to operate an online gambling site or process transactions involving betting sites if you’re a banking institution, but it’s still legal for individual residents to play online. For this reason, people in the US must find reliable offshore gaming sites to give their business to.
You may find specific information about laws, regulations, and jurisdictions by following these links:
Our Lists of Best Online Gambling Sites for…
Best Gambling Sites by Type
Perhaps you have a specific type of online gambling site that you’re looking for, and you would prefer to focus on that particular niche. Rather than waste time with information that isn’t related to what you’re looking for, you can visit a page 100% dedicated to a single variety of gambling online. We’re always developing more pages, and we already have options like political betting and high-stakes gambling sites.
Financial Betting Sites
New Gambling Sites
High-Stakes Gambling Sites
Entertainment Betting Sites
Safest Gambling Sites
Fast Payout Gambling Sites
We also organize the top online gambling sites by individual sports and leagues. On the following pages, you’ll find recommendations including the highest-quality gambling sites, helpful gambling tips, detailed resource guides, and articles breaking down various strategies to help you win more often. The more knowledge about a sport that you have at your disposal, the easier it will be to spot mispriced odds and earn money.
Best Betting Sites by Sports League
If you’re not concerned with specific types of online gambling sites or individual sports, you may want to maximize convenience by focusing on your preferred payment method. We provide lists of recommendations that cater to each of the most accessible means of banking.
Depending on your location, you may be required to utilize specific payment options. Otherwise, you may just be looking for legit gambling sites that accept banking types with the fastest payout speeds. Whatever the case, we’ve got you covered.
Why These Are the Best Online Gambling Sites
Quite a bit of work goes into vetting online sportsbooks and casinos to ensure we only pass along the most reliable, legit online gambling sites to our readers. There are numerous variables that are researched which impact both our recommendations and reviews. Here are some of the fundamental factors that we take into account:
- Safety and Legitimacy – There are tons of scammers and rogue gambling sites on the internet. Our purpose is to weed those out and only pass along safe, reliable, legitimate online gambling sites to our readers.
- History/Reputation – We also consider a site’s past performances when forming our recommendations. Websites with a history of dissatisfied customers or that have previously landed on blacklists are avoided.
- Quality Customer Service – The sites we pick have customer service sections with several contact methods. They also must actively monitor their communication channels and respond to issues in a reasonable amount of time.
- Variety of Wagers – Whether you’re sports betting or playing casino games, the more variety, the better. Not only will you avoid boredom, but you’ll also be able to pinpoint the exact scenarios on which you want to bet. This is particularly helpful when betting on sports.
- Multiple Banking Options – Our experts also prioritize gambling websites that accept numerous banking options. This gives you more control of your payout speeds and allows you to work around pesky banking laws that disallow specific methods, such as credit cards in the US.
- Ease of Use /Website Quality – A site worth recommending should have a straightforward sign-up and deposit process, be easy to navigate, and be well designed to maximize customer experience. Graphics quality becomes more important when engaging in live sports betting and playing certain slot games.
- Reasonable Payout Speeds – Rogue sites often manipulate payout speeds as a way to discourage you from withdrawing funds in hopes that you’ll grow bored and gamble the money away. Payout speeds are a significant factor in spotting legit gambling websites.
- Bonuses and Loyalty Programs – Most sites offer bonuses for signing up and making an initial deposit. These free plays and extra cash can add up to a significant amount. Loyalty programs reward players based on how much they wager and how often. The more you gamble, the more significant the gifts.
- Good Odds/Payout Percentage – Gambling is all about math and is frequently determined by the finest of margins. The recommendations we provide offer great odds on their games and competitive payout percentages.
If you’d like to learn more about the importance of finding safe online gambling sites and how we determine if a website is legitimate, please enjoy the articles linked below:
How We Determine Site Legitimacy
About Us
Gambling Site Reviews
Real Money Gambling
You’re not really gambling until there’s real money on the line! Playing the free games for a few minutes can be interesting, but nothing gets the blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing like having legitimate action on the game. And you know what comes with real money risks? Real money rewards!
With the incredible convenience of online gaming, suddenly you have the potential to hit the jackpot at any moment. You could be standing in line at the store or lounging on your couch, and the next thing you know, your life is changed forever! The only way to win is to play the game.
When it comes to real money online gambling sites, there are options available for every game, sport, and currency type you can imagine. Tens of billions of real dollars are wagered online every year, a number that increases each year. Isn’t it time for you to get in on all the fun?
Real Money Bitcoin Sites
Real Money Credit Card Sites
Real Money Mobile Sites
Real Money PayPal Sites
Online Gambling Guides
While we are definitely passionate about finding the top online gambling sites for our readers, our assistance doesn’t end there. We also spend countless hours researching strategies and creating guides to help you succeed in whatever wagering activities you enjoy. We break down the underlying concepts that dictate gambling, provide tips for maximizing your winning percentage, and write strategy guides for various casino games and sports betting.
Casino Guide
Before diving in and playing in the casino, you should consider reading our casino gamblers’ guides. We break down both the rules and the odds for various slot and table games. Our writeups also include the best possible playing strategies to maximize your chances of winning.
Additionally, we’ve broken down notions such as casino bonuses and the house edge, which play an instrumental role in determining if you will win or lose over the long term. Gambling online can be a fun, mindless way to pass the time if that’s what you’re looking for. But if you are playing to win, with dreams of jackpots in your head, you’ll want to first get acquainted with the information our experts have prepared for you.
Sports Betting Guide
Our best online gambling sites might be great, but they won’t do you much good if you don’t know how to place your bets, which is why we’ve put together various guides to help you better understand how to bet on sports.
Our gamblers’ guides are especially beneficial for those that are interested in sports betting. Wagering on sports can be a confusing proposition with all of the unique terminology and types of bets. Furthermore, the majority of casual bettors think the object of placing sports wagers is merely picking winning teams. We’ve organized all of this information so that you can talk about and make sports gambling picks with the best of them!
Through our guides, you’ll learn about betting with value in mind, determining real probability, and calculating implied probability based on the odds. We also break down the many unique types of sports bets, including tips for approaching each variation. Most importantly, we offer guides explaining how critical bankroll management is and teach readers how to finance a bankroll and organize a staking plan.
Free Sports Bets
Sports Betting Bankroll Management
Types of Sports Bets
Sports Betting FAQ
Other Popular Guides
We also have dedicated pages for a variety of other online gambling topics. If it involves wagering money on some game or event, we’ve got you covered. It doesn’t matter if you like playing online scratch cards or prefer to spend your day in a competitive poker tournament; there’s something for everyone to learn.
When you’ve completed reading all of the resource articles that catch your attention, you’ll have a solid foundation on which to build your gambling career. Experiencing success through gambling starts with acquiring knowledge and developing a full understanding of what’s going on and what you can do to improve the likelihood of winning. So, take the time to get acquainted with the guides that cover whichever games or wagers you’re going to try. You’ll thank us later.
Esports Sites
Horse Racing Sites
Bingo Sites*
Bitcoin Sites
Cryptocurrency Sites
Mobile Sites*
Scratch Off Sites
Popular Gambling Blog Articles
Our team of experts is continuously paying attention to current events and writing blog articles on a vast range of topics and ideas. We make picks for most upcoming sporting events, break down in-depth gambling strategies, and share our opinions on a variety of subjects. This is where you can find an ever-changing stream of fresh content to keep you interested and in the know.
Make sure to keep checking back here to find the newest blog posts. These articles are typically written on topics the writers are very passionate or knowledgeable about, and so they’re a great opportunity for you to pick up expert advice without having to pay some shady handicapping service. Plus, sometimes they’re really funny!
The Importance of Responsible Gambling
Gambling can be a gratifying hobby and form of entertainment, but that doesn’t mean it’s without risk. Certain personality types have adverse reactions to the rush that online gambling provides, which can lead to compulsive behaviors and problem gambling.
Thankfully, there are strategies for managing your money and staying responsible when gambling that can help you avoid the pitfalls of addiction. Understanding the ideas behind bankroll management and how to develop an effective staking plan will exponentially increase your chances of staying a responsible gambler.
To those already struggling with a gambling addiction or who know someone who is, we’re here to help you as well. In our “Gambling Responsibly” guide, we cover where to get help when experiencing problem gambling. We also share advice on how to help a friend who may be experiencing these issues.
We are all here because we enjoy the gambling. Whether it’s handicapping the game or playing blackjack that gets our juices flowing, we all experience an absolute thrill from making the right pick and winning some money. But that thrill requires a lot of discipline and responsibility. Just like anything else, moderation is key. If you aren’t capable of regulating your bad habits, your best bet is to avoid the topic altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does location matter when choosing a gambling site?
Online gambling laws vary from place to place. Depending on where you’re located, the requirements a website must adhere to when accepting customers may change. For example, gaming websites housed in the United Kingdom must be licensed and heavily regulated by the gaming commission in their country. These sites will not accept players from the United States.
How do I know when a site is legit?
Legit gambling sites typically share several key attributes.
- They process payout requests quickly
- They are not included in any industry blacklists
- They provide several timely payout options
- They promptly respond to customer service issues
- They are licensed and regulated in a thorough gambling jurisdiction
- You find them on our list of recommended sites
Is gambling online legal?
The answer to this question depends on where you live. However, in most parts of the world, an individual that’s gambling online is not breaking the law by doing so. Even when there are laws on the books, they aren’t enforced. In the United States, there are laws against operating an online betting site, and banks can’t process transactions with known gambling organizations, but the individual bettor is within their rights to gamble online using offshore websites.
Is online gambling fair?
Yes, as long as you’re playing on a legitimate gambling site. Websites that are under government regulation have their software tested to ensure the games are random and fair. Most games are governed by random number generators which decide which cards or symbols are dealt. These are kept under strict controls and cannot be altered without permission from the regulatory body.
Is it possible to cheat at online gambling?
No, not without hacking the software. If you do that, expect your account to be frozen and for the authorities to be alerted to your location well before you ever cash out any of the stolen funds.
How do I keep my information and gambling accounts safe?
First, make sure you’re only using reliable gambling sites that have been researched and vetted by experts. Next, decline the option to have your computer or mobile device save your password for quicker logins. That way, someone with access to your computer or phone can’t just log in and withdraw your money. Use a creative password with lots of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use pet names, kid’s names, or predictable words.
What’s an offshore gambling site?
Offshore gambling sites are casinos or sportsbooks that are available to US customers but aren’t located within the United States’ jurisdiction. Because operating online gambling websites is illegal in the US, these websites are not licensed or regulated by the government. Most offshore gambling sites that accept US citizens are based in the Caribbean and are held to the rules and regulations in their particular jurisdiction.
Can I play on my mobile device?
Yes, the majority of online gambling sites are compatible with mobile devices. It’s also becoming more popular for websites to create their own apps, making access to their games more convenient and helping them to run smoother. Some gambling sites are still behind in this regard, but it’s not common.
I was just offered a bonus. What’s a rollover?
Many of the entry-level bonuses come with significant strings attached, usually in the form of rollovers. Rollovers are a requirement for the amount of money you must wager before being allowed to withdraw money. So, if you accept a $100 bonus with a 25x rollover, you’ll need to place a total of $2,500 in bets before having the ability to request a payout. The higher the rollover, the more unlikely you are to win enough to meet the requirement before losing your bankroll. This is one of the many factors we consider when selecting the best online gambling sites recommended above.
Do online gambling sites use real money?
Yes! Many will allow you to play for free as well, but the sites that you’ll find here mostly deal in real money. You have to bet real money to win real money!
Are the gambling sites that you recommend licensed and regulated?
They are! We do our best to make sure all of our recommended sites maintain their licenses. It is possible for a place to let their gaming license lapse, depending on their jurisdiction, but it’s extremely rare.
What does “payout percentage” mean?
The payout percentage is the number of winnings a game or machine is programmed to return based on a percentage of the amount wagered. The higher the payout percentage, the more favorable the odds are for the player.
Why do online gambling sites require personal information when signing up?
Any reputable online gambling operation has rules to follow, namely that you’re of age to be playing. Depending on the jurisdiction, gamers must be either 18 or 21 years old to bet.
I’m new to online gambling; where’s the best place to start?
What’s the benefit of gambling online rather than in a land-based casino?
There are several!- Convenience – you can play any game or place any bet from anywhere
- Better odds – without all the overhead and upkeep that comes with running a building, online gambling sites can offer better odds and still make money
- Variety – online casinos can offer more types of slots and table games than even the most massive brick-and-mortar spot could ever dream of having the floor space for
How can I tell that a gambling site is a scam?
- They change their terms and conditions
- They have negative customer reviews complaining about slow payouts or unfair treatment
- They make up rules to avoid paying out customers. For example, accusing players of being professional gamblers or cheating
- You find them on industry blacklists
Do I have to download any software?
It’s not typically required, but there are times when you may. Some online gambling sites and poker rooms offer downloadable software that speeds up the processing time and creates a more stable gaming experience. If you’re opposed to this, there are numerous no-download slot sites at your disposal as well.
Which regulatory jurisdictions are the best?
The gambling jurisdictions that we trust the most are the ones that take licensing and regulation seriously. Some of the best are:- Alderney
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Gibraltar
- Isle of Man
- Kahnawake
- Malta
- Panama
Why can’t I access certain online gambling sites in other countries?
What’s the best way to win money gambling online?
A sad fact of the online gambling industry is the number of complaints made against the gambling websites. Some unjustified, some justified.
If you feel harshly treated or if you have have a serious claim of wrong doing against a gambling site then what can you do? Here we will detail the steps you need to take as well as providing the contact information you need.
The complaints procedure:
- The first thing you need to do is get your story clearly written down. You will need to clearly state the gambling site in question, your email address and username.
You need to write out your complaint clearly and concisely. Preferably using a timeline including dates of deposits, value of deposits, when and what went wrong, etc, etc. Do not waffle, be very detailed and precise.
Write down how you think your complaint or claim should be resolved. Be realistic in your claims.
Try and gather all your gaming logs for the period in question.
If you have any correspondence (emails, phone calls, live chats with an agent) then gather all of these as well for reference. - Your first port of call is to then submit a formal complaint to the gambling website in question.
- Should your issue not be resolved satisfactorily by the gambling website then you should take all of the information gathered in point 1, along with the result of point 2, and make a formal complaint at the gambling licensing authority where the site is licensed.
- Should your complaint or claim be rejected by the licensing authority then you need to think long and hard about the result and the reasons you lost your claim. If you still feel badly done by and think you still have a legitimate case then your last port of call is to go to a 3rd party mediator. Many gambling sites refuse to deal with 3rd parties however many do because of the bad publicity they receive otherwise. However it should be noted that these third parties hold no legal authority at all.
- After this step your choices become much harder and more complicated. You may take legal action (expensive and risky) or you may go to the Ombudsman relevant to your situation (free if you handle the case yourself, I myself went to my national financial ombudsman for a case against my mortgage company (which I won in the end) and as I represented myself the only cost to me was lots of stress, lots of reading and preparation and having to take one day off work for the hearing).
The reality: All being well if you have provided a very clear, concise and detailed case with the facts laid bare and supporting screenshots and game logs then you should have your case resolved in step 3 if the gambling site in question has not already backed down in step 2. Things may not always go in your favour. There is common sense at play when you get to the licensing authority but I must remind you once again that it is imperative to read the terms and conditions carefully at any online gambling establishment. I just cannot emphasise that enough. Take the 5 minutes to read through before you start playing, it may save you months of hassle somewhere down the line!
The licensing authorities/regulators contact info:
Australia
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra Nara Centre
1 Constitution Avenue
CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601
Phone Number: 61 2 6207 0359
Website: http://www.gamblingandracing.act.gov.au/
Email: grc@act.gov.au
Australian Northern Territory
Legal Gambling Sites
Level 1 Enterprise House, 28-30 Knuckey Street DARWIN NT 0800
Postal Address: GPO Box 1154, DARWIN NT 0801
Phone: (08) 8999 1800
Fax: (08) 8999 1888
Email: lr.doj@nt.gov.au
Website: www.nt.gov.au/justice/licenreg
Vanuatu
Manager, Licensing Review and Audit
PO Box 124
Port Vila
Vanuatu
Tel: +678-25243
Fax: +678-2563
Website: http://www.vanuatugovernment.gov.vu/cyberspace.html
Asia
Philippines
First Cagayan Leisure and Resort Corporation
26th Floor West Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Center
Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Philippines 1605
Phone Number: (632) 638-55-56
Website: http://www.firstcagayan.com
Email: info@firstcagayan.com
Europe
Alderney
Robin Le Prevost
Director of E-Commerce Development
States of Alderney
PO Box 15
St Anne’s
Alderney, GY9 3HT
British Channel Islands
Phone Number: +44 1481 825500
Website: www.AlderneyGambling.com
Email: robin@AlderneyGambling.com
Belgium
Gaming Commission Belgium
Cantersteen 47
1000 Bruxelles
Belgium
Phone Number: +32 2 504 00 40
Website: http://www.gamingcommission.fgov.be
Email: ksc.cjh@gamingcommission.be
France
Regulatory Authority Online Games
99-101 rue Leblanc
75015 Paris
France
Phone Number: +33 1 57 13 13 00
Website: http://www.arjel.fr
Email: contact@arjel.fr
Denmark
The Danish Gambling Authority
Helgeshøj Allé 9
2630 Taastrup
Denmark
Phone Number: (+45) 72 38 79 13
Website: http://www.skat.dk
Email: spillemyndigheden@skat.dk
Gibraltar
Office of Financial and Development Secretary
5th Floor
The Haven
23 John Mackintosh Square
Europort
Gibraltar
Phone Number: (+350) 200072166
Email: financialsec@gibtelecom.net
Isle of Man
e-Gaming Development
Department of Economic Development
St Georges House,
Upper Church Street,
Douglas,
Isle of Man,
IM1 1EX
Phone Number: +44 (0)1624 682365
Website: http://www.iomegaming.im/
Email: info@iomegaming.im
Italy
Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli
Mastai Square, 11 – 00153 ROMA
Italy
Fax: 06 58572200
Website: http://www.aams.gov.it/
Email: giochi@pce.aams.it
Jersey
Jersey Gambling Commission
4th Floor
Jubilee Wharf
St Helier
Jersey
JE1 1BB
Website: www.jgc.je
Email: info@jgc.je
Malta
Malta Gaming Authority
Suite 1, Level 3,
TG Complex,
Brewery Street,
Mriehel,
BKR 3000
Malta
Phone Number: +356 2546 9000
Website: www.mga.org.mt
Email: info.mga@mga.org.mt
Spain
Comision Nacional del Juego
(Spanish Gaming Commission)
Ministerio del Interior
Spain
Website: http://www.interior.gob.es/
United Kingdom
UK Gambling Commission
Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham
B2 4BP
Phone Number: 0121 230 6666
Website: http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/
Email: info@gamblingcommission.gov.uk
North America
Costa Rica
Costa Rica Commerce
Industry and Economy Ministry
Edificio del IFAM
San Jose
Costa Rica 10216-1000
+506 235 2700
Website: www.meic.go.cr
Email: uie@meic.go.cr
Kahnawake
Kahnawake Gaming Commission,
P.O. Box 1799,
Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake,
Canada
J0L1B0
Phone Number: (450) 635-1076
Website: www.gamingcommission.ca
Email: info@gamingcommission.ca
Nevada
555 East Washington Avenue
Suite 2600
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone Number: (702) 486-2000
Website: http://gaming.nv.gov
Email: liaison@gcb.nv.gov
New Jersey
New Jersey Casino Control Commission
Arcade Building
Tennessee Avenue & Boardwalk
Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401
Phone: 609-441-3422
Email: communications@ccc.state.nj.us
Website: http://www.nj.gov/casinos/about/direct/
Panama
La Junta de Control de Juegos
Avenida Perú,
Calle 35 Este,
Edificio antiguo “Hacienda y Tesoro”
Panama City
Panama
Phone number Economy: (+507) 507-7000 (+507) 506-6600
Phone number Finance: (+507) 507-7600
Email: prensa@mef.gob.pa
Website: http://mef.gob.pa/es/Paginas/home.aspx
South America
Antigua
Financial Services Regulatory Commission’s Division of Gaming
2nd Floor – West Wing
First Caribbean Financial Centre
Old Parham Road
St. John’s
Antigua and Barbuda
Tel: (268)481-3300
Fax: (268) 481-3305
Email: director@antiguagaming.gov.ag
Website: http://www.antiguagaming.gov.ag/
Curacao
Curacao eGaming
Pletterijweg Oost
Ara Hilltop Building
Curaçao
Netherlands Antilles
Email: complaints@curacao-egaming.com
Website: https://www.curacao-egaming.com/
Third party mediators
One major problem with the global online gaming industry is the fact that it is global. The number of different regulators you can see above (and we may have missed one or two of the really small ones) makes things tricky with not every regulator being as upstanding as some of the better ones.
Another major problem is that there is no single official watchdog. What we are left with then are a number of websites acting as third party mediators. And a problem with this is that most of these sites are simply affiliate websites using the complaints system to try and drive traffic to their website. We have even seen instances where websites claiming to be watchdogs will only act on behalf of a player registered to a gambling site through one of their links “If we are not going to make money off you we won’t help you”. We have also heard that at some sites “You only get one complaint, so if you get screwed over by 2 gambling sites that’s tough luck, you have had our help once already”.
There have been a few of accusations raised against the impartiality of sites such as The Pogg, Casino Meister, Ask Gamblers and Gambling Grumbles (4 of the biggest affiliates/mediators). There is also a big question mark about how much some of these sites really care about the player with the problem or whether the complaints system is just a marketing ploy. Now whether or not these accusations have any substance is not the point here (as some of the accusations have come from other website owners and should as such be taken with a pinch of salt). Without wishing to pick one of these sites out ahead of the others or degrade any of them in particular we would say that The Pogg is officially registered as a mediator with the UKGC. Casino Meister has a long history in the game and recently it looks like he has made more than enough money over the years that he can afford to be more fair. Gambling Grumbles are very small and we don’t know much about them. Finally Ask Gamblers, well traditionally they have simply been a sell out with very little real factual information, paid reviews, only using their high profile on complaints rather than digging in, not to mention promoting illegal websites, however recently they were bought for €15,000,000 and are under new ownership who look like they are making some steps to clean up the reputation so we’ll reserve judgment on them for now. If you pushed us to pick one of the 4 sites I’d say go with either Casino Meister or Pogg.
IBAS & eCogra: of all the 3rd party mediators it is the non profit ones which are gathering pace and strength. If a casino lists eCogra on their website then simply use them as your 3rd party mediator. Those in the know have been using IBAS a lot recently and they are picking up popularity and strength. If you play anything other than casinos then IBAS is the one for you but even for casino gambling complaints they are starting to really get some traction.
The point is though that if you have gone through the complaint steps as laid out at the start of this page and have not had a satisfactory conclusion then submitting your complaint to a third party mediator is worth a shot. The negative publicity alone may just make the gambling website think twice. As I have said before though, a good number of gambling sites refuse to deal with third parties.
Complaints About Gambling Sites Online
Here we’ll give you an example of communication between a casino group and a third party:
Casino: “We are writing to you with reference to your last email to us, please note to confirm, we will need a legal notice from the clients stating that you are representing them on their behalf. And the client will need to send this to us after which further communication will not be an issue”
Third Party: “Just to make things perfectly clear, we’re not representing anyone – nor have we ever pretended to do so. The complaint service is there merely to facilitate communications between players and casinos. We don’t ask casinos to share any information or to submit any reports, all we ask from you is to look into an issue and get back to us on its status.”
And an example from a complaint case made to a third party:
“The only thing I could suggest to do now is contact their regulator the Maltese Lottery and Gaming Authority. Sorry I couldn’t have been of more help.”
In both the examples above, the third parties in question blacklisted the casino chain because they failed to work with the third party. And they do so for other groups as well. The gaming regulators and authorities are strong enough by themselves and will handle issues themselves. However there is one way in which the third party mediators could gain some actual credibility…..
One joint non-profit global mediation service?
The ideal situation is for these big affiliate websites to join forces and setup a single major non-profit mediation website where their power is far stronger and where their impartiality can never be called into question. Surely this would really take a lot of power back from the gaming sites?
Some other mediation services:
Here are some other mediation websites (non-profit) that you may try:
IBAS
Website: http://www.ibas-uk.co.uk/
Email: adjudication@ibas-uk.co.uk
Telephone: +44 20 7347 5883
eCogra
Website: http://www.ecogra.org/
Email: info@ecogra.org
Telephone: +44 20 7887 1480
European Union Online Dispute Resolution
Complaints About Gambling Sites 2019
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/
Gambling Site Web
Support for gambling affiliates?
Of course it is not only players who get shafted by the gambling websites. Their partners, reviewers, affiliates, advertisers get screwed over as well on occasion. Unfortunately there really isn’t that much help available for affiliates, the so called big affiliate watchdogs not really following up on their promises and also being more interested in looking after their own best interests and often having prime sponsors who are well known for dodgy dealings with both players and affiliates.
The one way affiliates are going to protect themselves is by way of a joint class action lawsuit against the groups who break the law and break contracts etc. But unfortunately it requires a collective effort and many many webmasters are far too scared to stand up and take a stance against the hand that feeds them.
Update: both The Pogg and Ask Gamblers have now launched complaints services for online gambling affiliates, though having tested them unfortunately these do leave a lot to be desired still.