Bad Bet? How To Get Your Money Back

One of the risks of putting money where your mouth is that sometimes, you’re going to be wrong. This was amazingly illustrated recently by a series of screen-captures showing a punter boasting about their bet on Le Pen in the French election. After the National Front candidate lost, he came back to Ladbrokes with cap in hand blaming the punt on his son. Unfortunately, having bragged throughout the blogosphere, the company soon shut down his request and rightly so.

While that story was eventually proven to be a hoax, there’s not a punter alive who hasn’t – at one time or another – mis-clicked and put money down where they shouldn’t have. Or worse.

So, What Is The Best Way To Go About Getting Your Money Back?

First off, it’s important to note that, betting sites are run by people that have heard them all. If you’ve lost £40 on Chelsea and want to claim that your cat walked across your keyboard, you’re probably out of luck. But if you have a legitimate, honest reason to request your money back and claim an online gambling refund, there are many channels to help you.

When pursuing the return of your cash, there are generally three distinct strands to claiming a refund:

a) Money has been added to your account by accident,
b) The money has been added to your account and staked, or
c) Money has been fraudulently taken from your card and staked without your knowing.

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Money Has Been Added To Your Account

If you have added cash to your account accidentally and it has not been wagered, it can often be returned to you with little hassle. Many sites have pay-out functionality, and a quick email to support should help clarify any confusion where this is the case. However, most companies have a transactional waiting period for the refund that’s beyond their power to expedite. So, if you need the money now, you may just have to wait.

Money Has Been Staked From Your Account

If money has been taken from your account and then either staked or lost, this is much more difficult to resolve. To help streamline this process and make sure that you’ve done all you can, you can carry out the following steps:

  1. Review the T&Cs: Before you start the process of contacting the company, take a thorough look through their terms and conditions. Make sure you take note of the rules that apply to you and cite them when drafting your initial contact email. Once you’ve identified this, detail your issue in full to the company, breaking down a timeline wherever possible. Make sure your email is reviewed in full before sending off. Aim to provide any screenshots or relevant information that they need – obscuring sensitive data where required.
  2. Send the email: Most companies will have a specific email address for support issues and a standard process for dealing with complaints and issues. Make sure you follow this and send your detailed correspondence. If you need to make sure your issues are escalated, the UK Gambling Commission has a list of head offices in all firms. A direct call to follow up can be extremely helpful, especially if time is a factor.
  3. Await a response: The company will then conduct its own internal complaints procedure and aim to resolve the issue for you.
  4. Follow up if unsatisfied: If the issue is not resolved as expected, you are perfectly within your rights to pursue if further. Under UK law, all companies are obligated to provide you with a channel to contact an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) company which can enter arbitration on your behalf. While useful, remember that the ADR can only be contacted once you have fully gone through the company’s internal complaints procedure. If you still feel that the issue has not been resolved fairly, you can escalate it to the UK Gambling Commission for specific key advice and information on what actions you can take.

Money Has Been Fraudulently Taken From Your Account

If you discover that money has been debited from your account without your knowledge, it is important to act quickly and decisively. First, contact your bank, report the fraud, and ask them to put a temporary freeze on your account. Then contact the gambling site or company and request a freeze to be placed on the account and, if necessary, alert the authorities.

Luckily, as more banks are online and the regularity of fraud increases, you should receive a warning text or call to inform you about irregular payments or billings from your account. If you are not sure if your bank offers this, it is strongly recommended that you get in touch and apply for this protection.

What Should You Bear In Mind?

Set up Protection:  It is impossible to be too careful online and, even with a wealth of programs and services to secure your data, the best protection is common sense. Use strong passwords for sites, avoid direct card payments and use a pay-as-you-go online wallet to fund your activities. Always make sure the site you are using is secure and fully vetted and reputable And never EVER give your online details to another individual, no matter how much you trust them. Make sure you also regularly update your passwords and review your bank statements to make sure there are no suspicious transactions.

Get Help: Unfortunately, a proportion of the claims that come through to companies are from individuals who have staked their own cash and had regrets, or had family members that have stolen their details. Gambling addiction is a real, serious problem and there are several sites that have been set up to provide help for those afflicted.  Self-exclusion offers can be easily made with your regular brick and mortar betting shop or online site.

Pick a Reputable Site: Many complaints that are passed through to UK sites are related to offshore gambling, which has been and will continue to be a risk in a market that is changing due to a shift in the online sphere. UK and EU sites are answerable to EU and UK law. No matter how tempting, stay local or you won’t have a leg to stand on.

If All Else Fails: Regardless of whether you legitimately misclick or your errant ‘son’ bet €400 on a proto-fascist, it’s worth remembering that you’re dealing with another person at the end of the line. No matter how frustrated you are, nothing will be gained by ranting and raving. No business likes to lose a regular customer, and a little respect goes a long way. If you want to apply additional pressure, traction can be gained by posting against the site’s social media profile and calmly stating your case.

Will the bank refund gambling?

In the UK, banks do not typically refund losses incurred through gambling. The responsibility for managing gambling-related transactions lies primarily with the account holder. If you suspect unauthorised or fraudulent transactions on your account, it’s advisable to contact your bank immediately to investigate and take appropriate action.

How to get money back from gambling sites

Recovering money lost on gambling sites can be challenging. It’s important to remember that gambling losses are generally not eligible for refunds. However, if you believe you’ve been a victim of unfair practices or unauthorised transactions, you should contact the gambling site’s customer support and your bank to report the issue and seek resolution. Keeping detailed records of your transactions and communication can aid in the process.

Is there such a thing as an irresponsible gambling refund?

While responsible gambling initiatives focus on preventing excessive gambling and promoting healthy habits, there isn’t a concept of receiving refunds for losses incurred due to irresponsible gambling. The onus is on individuals to gamble responsibly, and seeking refunds for losses resulting from one’s own actions is not a standard practice within the gambling industry.

Can I get my money back from an online casino?

Recovering money lost at an online casino is generally unlikely. Casinos operate with clear terms and conditions that specify the risks involved in gambling. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as technical glitches or proven misconduct on the part of the casino, obtaining a refund for gambling losses is not a common occurrence.

Can I claim back gambling losses in the UK?

In the UK, there is no established process for claiming back gambling losses. Gambling is considered a form of entertainment, and losses incurred are typically not eligible for reimbursement. It’s essential to gamble responsibly, set limits, and seek assistance if you believe you may have a gambling problem. If you suspect any fraudulent activity or discrepancies, contacting the relevant authorities and your bank is advisable, but the prospect of reclaiming losses remains limited.

What is the best way of asking a casino for money back?

When approaching a casino to request a refund for gambling losses, it’s important to be respectful, clear, and provide any relevant information that supports your request. While success is not guaranteed, the following steps can help you make your case:

1. Contact Customer Support: Begin by reaching out to the casino’s customer support department. Explain the situation calmly and provide details about the specific issue or concern that led to your losses. Be prepared to share any evidence or documentation that supports your claim.

2. Provide Evidence: If you believe there was a technical glitch, game error, or any other issue that affected the outcome of your gambling, provide clear evidence. This might include screenshots, transaction records, or timestamps that demonstrate the problem.

3. Refer to Terms and Conditions: Familiarise yourself with the casino’s terms and conditions. If you believe your losses are a result of a violation of their terms or unfair practices, politely mention the relevant sections and explain how you believe they apply to your situation.

4. Be Polite and Persistent: Maintain a courteous tone throughout your communication. Be persistent in following up on your request, but avoid becoming confrontational or aggressive. Casinos are more likely to engage with customers who approach them in a respectful manner.

5. Escalate if Necessary: If your initial contact with customer support does not lead to a satisfactory resolution, consider escalating the matter to a higher level of management or a dispute resolution department within the casino.

6. Regulatory Authorities: If you believe you have a valid case but are unable to reach a resolution with the casino, you can consider involving regulatory authorities that oversee gambling activities in your jurisdiction. They may be able to provide guidance or intervene on your behalf.

7. Seek Legal Advice: If your losses are substantial and you believe you have strong grounds for a refund, you might want to consult with legal professionals who specialize in gambling or consumer rights.

Remember that success in requesting a refund from a casino is not guaranteed, as casinos generally operate within the framework of their terms and conditions. Approach the situation with a realistic outlook, and be prepared for the possibility that your request may not be fulfilled.


49 thoughts on “Bad Bet? How To Get Your Money Back”

  1. I just want to say that your advice is not only very useful, but makes me feel like you are a company that cares about clients (normal Joes, like me). Thanks

    Reply
  2. I was in jail and left my bank details with partner for personal reasons my family needed money whilst I was away she spent all this gambling and had been prosecuted others anything I can do

    Reply
    • You’d need to speak to the Police Chris.
      If you can prove your money was stolen then obviously you’re a victim of crime.

      As a former Police Officer though I know that it wouldn’t matter what the money was spent on. eg. If she stole £10,000 from you she could spend it on a car, gambling, holiday, anything. The crime would remain the same.

      The problem I suspect would come from you having provided her with the necessary details to access your funds so most likely the bank will be unhelpful unfortunately.

      Reply
    • The bank must refund every cent of you did not give anyone consent to use your card. Look you need to listen to me, I’m in a unique position of knowing lots more about these situations that the guy who wrote this and just about anyone else including lawyers . Again I will clearly state to you that IF YOU DID NOT GIVE YOUR CARD OR DETAILS TO AMYONE THEN THE BANK MUST GIVE YOUR MONEY BACK, the police are useless in this situation and the banks will know that they MUST ISSUE YOU A CHARGEBACK, this means refund every cent that was taken without your permission. The bank won’t come right out and admit this, but hold yourself with confidence and DO NOT SLIP UP the banks will ask many trick questions designed to get you to admit giving the details to someone or even leaving it in a public place easily accessible to people can even sometimes be used by the bank, simple be confident, don’t slip up, don’t admit giving details to anyone, don’t admit leaving your card where it can easily be found by someone and they must give your cash back ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING SOMEONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF HAS BEEN CHARGED FOR THE TRANSACTION.

      Reply
  3. I lost £900 contacted the bank (nat west) and asked them to block my debit and credit card from gambling they instantly stopped the debit card (supposedly) and I was allowed to deposit a further £200 can I raise a dispute with them over that money?

    Reply
    • I have been playing this 3D fishing on gamevault through several different online sites via messenger and cash app. I have lost several thousand $ everytime i win anything the game dose some “glitch b.s. and puts itselfon auto after raising my bet” or the table suddenly gets stacked with people who pure open fire only at anything im shooting at screen freezes up, my kill winnings will be dropped into someone else’s account, ill be paid nearly half of what the win shows on screen, ive brought it to the people who are apparently running it but im told ” its a game of 100% luck mamn, you just have bad luck! We dont control the game, but they are 100% legit! But wont bother to check… i have even been called a lier and a fu**ing biT*h! Even when im begging them to please watch my games played to see they refuse and just say trust us we know we are not cheating you! Yet i bmnever get to leave winning! I have requested cash app to refund but nothing yet?

      Reply
  4. Hi I was playing on William hill my game was glitching a lot and throwing me in and out. I then won around 20,000 and was immediately thrown out. I then went in again and was told you had a Win while you was away of again roughly 20,000 I then quit the internet tab in my iPhone as I couldn’t be bothered dealing with the clothing until I get into WiFi is what I was thinking. I later returned to William hill to find 400 odd pound I think maybe the game continued in the background or something? Doubtful but anything I could do and how could they even allow that much to leave someone’s account? without asking any questions?

    Reply
  5. Hi I have had my phone stolen which had everything on it including bank details passwords and someone has managed to get into my betting app and deposit money from my account ! I am fummin as just finished work around 6 noticed I had money pending which I didn’t make . I have contacted my bank and hopefully they could help if not what other options do I go down as i want my money back

    Reply
  6. Hi,

    I just found out that my boyfriend transferred money from my account to his own to gamble online. He stole my login details to make the transactions and lost a lot of money… (around 25,000 euros I had saved).
    I have contacted my bank and changed all my login details, but they cannot do more.

    I then contacted the gambling website and they are asking for bank statements.
    My question is: Is it possible to get a refund (of course after providing all proofs) without it to reach a legal level and get the police involved? We have a kid together and I would feel bad if he was in deep trouble since he clearly has an addiction and agreed to get help.

    Reply
    • Honestly that’s something you need serious legal advice about, not something we can advise you on really Joelle.

      Reply
      • I didnt know how to play gambling. I deposited 8000 pounds and I bet slip on cricket but before match stars I was scared and I want to my money out of stakes before that they took all 8000 pounds. Where can I go for help?

        Reply
        • To be honest if you deposited and bet £8,000 I think in the eyes of most bookmakers the risk is your responsibility.

          Reply
          • Hi, I know but that was my fault with out knowledge what’s going on but is there any solution get them back… because purely it is not concerned to put that much of money at stake. I always thinking they only take little amount. I was considered it has deposit. Not as stake.

          • Love your compassion Darren. No reference to any questions being asked about affordability depositing such a large amount. We all know bookies are not truly implementing responsible gambling.

          • Just being realistic Denise. Pointless giving false hope and wrapping everyone and everything in cotton wool.
            If it was a genuine mistake to stake £8,000 then yes it’s a real shame but sadly it’s incredibly unlikely that anything can be done about it.

  7. Hi, I am Ashwini I was playing gambling for the first time and and I dont know how to play it so I deposited 17000 pounds in betfair and I bet slip 8000 pounds thinking they will not take 8000 pounds they will only take 200 to 300 if I loose because there was message popped out called cash out in that its saying 7600 I can cash out the rest is at stake I thought and if I win they will add it to my account i was thinking like that and the cricket match didnt started yet I was scared and dont want to play gambling i want to withdraw all the amount but before that they took all my amount from bet slip which i dont know they are going to take i called them but they said they raised the issue with management but I dudnt get any kind of help NHS came time police came time I spoke to everyone but no one helped me how to get my money back which I dont know it was at stake.

    Reply
  8. Hi,

    I received numerous emails yesterday of notifications that payments have been successful to an online casino company named Playzee. I have never heard of them before nor do I gamble. I’ve had most of my lifetime savings just taken away from me. ( £9,500 ). This was all deposited in the form as follows:
    £250
    £250
    £1000
    £1000
    £1000
    £1000
    £1000
    £2000
    £2000

    Then I realised and immediately contacted the company through a Google search I got to their online chat where I noticed it was an online casino.

    They asked me for my name and email address followed by my username. Obviously I don’t have a username as i dont have an account with them.

    They are investigating this as they found my account through my name and email address.

    My question is, this account was obviously not verified properly like all online casinos must do and it does state in the T&C’s that in order to play at the casino the account must be verified. Will they just cancel the deposits and refund my money?

    I spoke to my bank and because the payments are still “pending” they cant do anything right now and said the company will have to cancel the deposits for me to get the money back.

    Thank you for you help on this forum

    Reply
  9. I’ve left my phone upstairs and my brother with learning difficulties and age 16 has been on my gambling app and deposited over £1000 without my knowledge. He’s aware of how to use gambling sites as He’s seen me play and I’ve given him money when I’ve won tiny amounts. He’s obviously realised this and tried winning I have all my passwords saved on my phone so it wasn’t hard for him to figure it out. I only realised this money was gone when I went back on my phone and had 7 notifications from the bank showing my deposits. As he’s underage and unaware of how important money is at that amount would I be able to refund? I’ve used this app for 2-3 years and never spent that amount with such short time. What’s the best way going around this?

    Reply
    • It’s very doubtful you can do anything about it.
      Your best chance is to contact the app provider and explain the situation. Although with the greatest of respect they’ll likely just tell you that the security of your account and security of your betting account is solely your responsibility.

      Alternatively if your brother somehow gained access to your card details without permission you could speak to the card issuer to see if they can assist.

      Reply
  10. I am gambling addicted and I use depression medicine since 2008, I stoped myself from gambling with gamstop but I opened new account from my mum name and I deposit money to my mum bank account and I played, I lost almost £40000 in 2,5 months , and then they sent me email for investigat for my mum account , they asked bank statement , I sent them , they saw I deposited my mum account from my bank. They understood that I play , then they sent email for closing this account, I told them if you want to close refund my money then, I told them I m gambling addicted I use mental health medicine, they wanted me to proof they wanted to learn my medicine name and picture, I sent them I waited 1 week and I have been refused, so why this people didn’t believe me or why they didnt accept I really don’t understand, gambling commission never help they are useless , can you help me please if I have got chance

    Reply
  11. Someone logged into my account and deposited 4 amounts adding up to £ 300 from my bank account within seconds, i think it was while i was at a family gathering and was done from my phone but I’m not sure it could have been someone elses phone and my password n log ins are on my notes. I blocked the card straight away and told the gambling site. They have disabled my account and said they will investigate further noor based on reviews i dont they will get back to me. Any advice how i can get my money back confidentiality?

    Reply
    • If you’re suggesting this was done without your permission Ann then it’s illegal and you need to report the matter to the Police.
      After that you should contact your bank with the relevant crime reference numbers for further advice and assistance.

      Reply
  12. I waited a month and a half for my winnings and they just told me that there refunding my money but keeping all my winnings I sent all the right documents and they still wo t tell me why are what I did just said that they were final with refunding my money so doesn’t that mean I won that money legit cause why just give me back my money for what i just put in to can any one help are just take my money back and let them keep my winnings need help here

    Reply
  13. i used my wife’s bank card online not knowing i could not as i was waiting on my one coming through all was well played won 120 withdrew it no bother went back on to play depoist 280 won 170 and withdrew 170 next thing account closed and no withdrawals sent back to account been on phone to sing bingo and emails for a fortnight with no joy will i get my winnings

    Reply
  14. I lost £46,000 over a short period of time. After selling a house. I was unemployed at the time. Obviously a problem Gambler. Nothing worse than until afterwards when they ask me my wages, et cetera et cetera. Too Little, too late.

    Reply
  15. Hi Brendan,
    Don’t be too hard on yourself bookies prey on vulnerability and this is evident with their sustained and aggressive marketing tactics. It’s a case of them thinking let’s get rich quick without any regard for the trail of destruction gambling leaves behind. Thankfully legislation is now taking affect that can we erase the unscrupulous bookies. Good luck….

    Reply
  16. My partner has a Betfred account all in his name and address. He has been using my bank card with my name and my address on to deposit. Small amounts at first, but now he’s deposited around £300 in a month despite me cancelling and changing cards. Is this something I can claim back?

    Reply
    • Realistically I think your only chance is to report it as a crime to the police as effectively money was taken from your account without permission.

      Reply
  17. I sadly got into gambling young. I’m 20 now and had a relapse and spent everything in my bank account. I looked at the reviews of the website I was using and it said the website is a fake and they don’t pay out? I’ve contacted my bank to see if they will just give me the money back? Do you think they will at all? I really hope they do. It’s around £1000

    Reply
  18. Spent around £12,00 on betfred few of the transactions I didn’t realise had gone through. Went way over budget I was allowed to spend this sum of money within 2 hours no verification what’s so ever any help ?
    Lost it all. I know class as a problem gambler went through depression the lot.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • The same has just happened to me I am bipolar and in an episode have deposited almost 600 without them even bringing up a reality check or time limit or anything. Spoke to them through live chat and they blocked my account which I now can’t access to see any of my deposits and then said no refund and abruptly closed the chat on me so I opened another chat and happened to get through to the same operator and when I gave him my details he ended the chat again. I have now emailed the support team and hoping they have a little more empathy and understanding than the man I was speaking to on the live chat

      Reply
  19. I opened another account using a friend’s ID on BET365. I made various deposits into that account and the balance now should be CNY40,000 (£4,534).
    Now that BET365 knows the nature of that account, they’ve frozen it and forbidded me to log in again. Even though I’ve provided all documents they require for the account verification, they tend to reject them using all kinds of excuses.

    So Darren, if you can help me log into my account again and somehow make a withdrawl, I’m willing to share more than half of the proceeds (£2,500) with you.

    Reply
  20. My husband has a severe gambling addiction. I have just found out today he has lost my entire life savings (over £100,000) in the last week on online gambling sites. They have now blocked him but all of our money is gone. Are refunds for irresponsible gambling a thing, surely the gambling sites should flag if someone is staking £100 every spin consistently?

    Reply
  21. Saya ingin mengucapkan terima kasih secara pribadi atas izin Anda untuk berkomentar di blog Anda. Saya sangat menghargai konten yang Anda bagikan dan senang bisa berkontribusi dalam komunitas Anda. Semoga blog Anda terus sukses!

    Reply
  22. Thanks for shedding light on this! It’s reassuring to know that there are channels to address accidental or unintentional transactions on betting sites. Your insights provide a clear roadmap for those seeking a refund due to genuine reasons. It’s a reminder that transparency and honest communication go a long way in resolving such situations. Here’s to fair play and responsible gambling!

    Reply

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