Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms, as we know them, tend to plague anyone who's made a habit of consuming something and then suddenly stops for one reason or another. But what about the online gambler who can't seem to get his/her cash fix? In other words, the casino won't pay up what they owe?

As is inherent with all industries, regrettably the online gambling business too has its share of less honorable participants. And though it's inevitable that complaints from players shall surface, most of the problematic issues allegedly caused by a casino tend to be inadvertent, especially seeing as how any questionable gaming site will have its name and reputation spewed across the Net in less time than you can say "blacklisted!"

The most common complaints from players concern online casinos refusing to disburse withdrawals. Casinos making a habit of this practice are referred to as "rogue casinos" and with the industry involving more than 2000 gambling websites and lacking in any official regulating, the likelihood that a few companies will fail to shell out player' money swiftly - if at all - is sadly a safe bet. Some of these rogue outfits are known for holding up withdrawals on purpose, hoping that players will continue gambling with the cash in their account until they eventually lose it entirely to the casino.

So what action can you take to make sure you get paid? We at Casinos VIP Lounge have provided a few guidelines below to help you triumph over any obstacles you may encounter:

Step 1 - Maintain Good Records
Whenever dealing with an Internet casino concerning a problem related to withdrawing money, your best bet in our opinion is to communicate via email. This way you will have documented records covering all your correspondences with the casino in general and the casino's staff in particular.

Step 2 - Request a Higher Authority
If attempting to resolve an issue with a casino's Customer Service representative is getting you no where, perhaps because the rep is somewhat unhelpful or a total moron, insist that you be able to speak with a manager.

Step 3 - Recruit a Mediator
If all your attempts to resolve a disagreement with a casino fail, seek outside help. You're best off by first contacting the source that directed you to the casino in the first place. This might have been through an affiliate website or a promotional e-mail. When doing so it's important to communicate directly with the webmaster because he or she will, in all likelihood, enjoy a business relationship with the company you're having the problem with. Also, if you arrived at the casino by clicking on a link featured on the webmaster's site, he or she will recognize you as one of ‘their' players and thus represent you more effectively, having a) a much stronger negotiating position, and b) more incentive.

 

If after all these efforts you still do not succeed in solving your problem, there are still more alternative measures you can take as well as independent websites designed to help players like yourself.

Player Dispute Services
If you are convinced you have exhausted every effort to resolve an issue with a casino, especially with regards to withdrawing your own cash, feel free to contact the developer that licenses the game software to the casino in question. A number of software providers such as Playtech and RealTime Gaming (RTG) provide ‘Player Dispute Services' specifically for customers having difficulties with Internet casinos and poker rooms.

These software licensors surely want to hear from you about any scandalous activities. After all, these high profile software makers can hardly afford to be connected with any online casinos not on the up and up - especially given the gaming industry's traditionally suspect reputation - however unjustified.

eCOGRA
Established in 2003, eCOGRA (eCommerce & Online Gaming Regulation & Assurance) was created by software developers Microgaming and Cassava to function as a regulatory service in what is still an unregulated industry. Casinos meeting the group's criteria are granted permission to display the eCOGRA "Play It Safe" seal of approval on their websites. For help with any disputes, simply fill out the Player Dispute Form on their website and submit it.

GPWA Players' Corner
The GPWA (Gambling Portal and Webmasters' Association) operates a forum known as "The Players' Corner" where players can post their grievances. The GPWA consists of many members so your odds are good that someone will have a contact at the casino you're having difficulties with.

Internet Casino Forums
Although this is usually the first route most dissatisfied players opt for, it is not necessarily the most effective. In fact, publicly accusing a casino of wrongdoing is probably the last thing a player should do to facilitate a cash withdrawal. This antagonistic approach could risk your ruining any possibilities of arriving at a satisfactory solution. But then again, if all else fails, go for it!

Send to friend