Dear LCB,
I would like to inform you about an ongoing dispute I have with Megawins casino.
Summary of the case:
On the 18th of September 2018 I made an account with Megawins casino. In that same week, I had my account verified by sending in copy of my passport, copy of utility bill stating my address, copy of bank card etc. The usual KYC procedure was completed, account verified and withdrawal requirements were met. At that point the casino knew I was from the Netherlands.
I have a gambling problem, and self excluded myself at many other popular casino's. Also from the same group, such as Bobs casino (24-07-2018) and Gunsbet casino (25-09-2017 for 1 year).
Over a period of 2,5 months I played over 40.000 Euros at Megawins and lost it and then in the first week of December 2018 they closed my account. I never got an reply on the reason, and then I posted a complaint on Askgamblers, where they once stated, your account is closed in the first week of December because Netherlands just got restricted. This is untrue. https://www.askgamblers.com/casino-complaints/megawins-casino-severe-breach-of-terms-conditions-2.
If you look at their terms and conditions (last updated 3rd July), you see the following:
3.1.8. Users from the following countries (“Restricted Countries”) are not allowed to deposit and play real money games: USA and its territories, UK, Spain, France. The Casino cannot guarantee successful processing of withdrawals or refunds in the event that player breaches this Restricted Countries policy
3.2.8. Customers from Netherlands are restricted from playing for real money and Bitcoins.
3.10. If you are a player from France, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK, US or any of its states, you won't be allowed to play real money wagering games including bitcoins.
In two of their terms Netherlands is a restricted country and in one of the terms it is not a restricted country. This is not consice and confusing for players.
If you check the Antillephone license validator (Master License holder), it says the following:
Excluded territories: Under this license, apart from its own diligence and legalities, the license holder is not authorized to offer its services in the territories of USA, Netherlands, France, Dutch West Indies and Curacao. Before reporting such non-compliance, please make sure the license holder is not operating under multiple licenses, allowing the legal operation in the above regions.
So despite being from the Netherlands and despite having verified my account in the first week of registration they let me play and wager huge amounts which I deposited through iDEAL, yes iDEAL. Another point to be noted.
1. Their casino offered the iDEAL payment method. iDEAL is exclusively available to people holding a Dutch Bank Account. 95% of my deposits to this casino were iDEAL deposits. All iDEAL payments went through the following PSP they use: Stichting Escrow Icepay, that holds the money in an interim account which is a RABOBANK account. You are restricted by law to cater Netherlands, by your own terms & conditions and by your own license. Another point to be noted. The funny part is that by doing a withdrawal I also had to state bank address: Amsterdam
All along they knew I am from the Netherlands, but didn't bother, but let me wager huge amounts and then when they thought now we have robbed him enough they closed my account. This is extremely shameful.
All in all, they were never allowed to accept players from the Netherlands, way before I got registered. Even offering the iDEAL payment method and even not closing my account after the KYC procedure. Their Master License Holder also said they have breached their license. Unfortunately no-one is responding. The operator kept on accepting deposits, through iDEAL, from a verified customer, although they were never allowed to. Megawins is not even responding to Askgamblers complaint thread, although they proudly display the 'ASKGAMBLERS CERTIFICATE OF TRUST' logo on their website. It is really shamefull.
I have asked my total account info, all chat history as well through an official subject access request. I want to point out that this casino doesn't respect responsible gaming either. 2 times I had set up a monthly deposit limit of 100 euros, but they overturned it, by making one request to the chat!
They took over 40.000 euros from me. My whole live savings, My family, my everything. They should have blocked me instantly, as they instantly knew I am from the Netherlands. Even my first deposit on te 18th of September was through iDEAL. The funny part is that they don't reply, but have already removed the iDEAL payment method from their website. I luckily made screenshots.
So a small recap:
1. Confusing terms & conditions (not concise, full of contradictions)
2. Offering iDEAL payment method (exclusive for customers holding a Dutch Bank Account, while Netherlands is restricted, by law, by their confusing T&C, by their license obligation.
3. Letting me sign up on 18th of September 2018, doing the KYC procedure, verifying my account in that same week with copy passport, address verification through utility bill, copy bank card, BUT closing my account after 2,5 months.
Resolution:
I am willing to settle this matter with you, but I need a response. I am willing to withdraw all mails sent to dipfferent organisations and will refrain from taking other legal measures on international stage and media.
I had some withdrawals amounting approximately 4.000. They can deduct this amount from the deposited amount. Every week they issued cashbacks to my account: They may deduct these cashbacks as well from my total deposited amount. We would be then talking about 35.000 euros. From this they may keep 20%. Meaning 7k. That would bring the amount to be returned to 28.000 euros.
I am being very generous and want to settle this ongoing problem as this is a nightmare for me. They have been at fault all along, breaching every aspect of a responsible and honest casino.
If we can agree on this I would be more then happy to sign any document to refrain from any legal prosecution and with withdraw all mails sent.
It seems they don't have a proper team to handle complaints on social forums or elsewhere, handling player disputes/ complaints is non existent. They don't put customers first, but by breaching their license, and not adhering to KYC procedures etc, they mislead them and empty their pockets.
Hoping that you can help me settle this case, as it has put me in a lot of distress.
Share on
Twitter
Facebook
Delicious
Reddit
Copy Page URL