Gamblers charging back deposits at online casinos

[The Buzz]

An interesting story on Gambling911 right now about how some online gamblers, when they lose, are calling their credit card companies and denying that they made the charges and getting full refunds. Since the online gambling companies usually have to filter the money through a third-party processing agent, there isn't much they can do to prevent the practice, acccording to the report.

Here's the link to the full story ... http://www.gambling911.com/gambling-...ay-120108.html

[Renee]

I would love to negate this one, but I can't.. I see this every day.. even 3 of them today so far..

These people don't realise they cause problems for not only the bank, the 3rd party processing party as well as the casino and the affiliate who sent them since most casinos pass on the costs to the affiliate..

The upside is that a lot of the time the funds can be recovered with documents.

[matted]

This isn't anything new...

Perhaps things have changed... but operators used to have customer service call and welcome a new player shortly after a deposit. And at the same time, they confirm the identity of the person who made the transaction - to ensure they are over 18 and it isn't fraud. I'm sure the calls were recorded for such disputes.

[mojo]

This isn't anything new...

Agreed matted. Especially if I consider some of the chargebacks I've gotten over the years.

[MrKay]

I made a deposit at an Online Casino last week and my credit card company called within 30 seconds to confirm it was actually me making the deposit... I guess this means they have seen this problem as well !

[HenrikGr]

This problem has been going around for some time, but there are ways to prevent it. It is a risk we as the operators and affiliates alike take. We dont want to be to strict when it comes to checking up people because then they wont even bother depositing even though they are legit players.

So best is to find a middle ground where you have as few chargebacks as possible but still have it easy enough to deposit without disturbing the normal player.

As MrKay said, now more and more CC companies are themslelves checking up on transactions that may cause a chargeback.

[bpodraza]

Like many others have mentioned this is nothing new. The good news is that there is a central repository where much of this activity is stored. After an individual charges back a casino their identity is flagged and their name added to a list that is monitored closey by payment processors.

On our site, Viva Macau, if one of these unscrupulous players tries to process a card our processor is on the phone with us the next morning telling us the player has a history of charging back online casinos. Typically, we will immediately refund their money and suspend their account.

We are of course subject to the same risks as other operators when it comes to new players, but we are fortunate in that we do not do business in the US, and so we have many legal remedies available to collect the funds. Operators who do business in the US (and their affiliates) are subject to significantly more risk.

[slotplayer]

I've read posts in CM from players complaining of how tight the platforms have become during these tough economic times.

Although I've only played MG games I can say they are absolutely horrible so it doesn't surprise me that players make chargebacks.

[bradz21]

This is nothing new. We have had some HORRIBLE chargeback amounts, but over the last few months (knock on wood) things have been better.

But I do feel that the more this subject is brought up, the more likley other players might do the same. Just my opinion...

Brad

[balagan9]

But I do feel that the more this subject is brought up, the more likley other players might do the same. Just my opinion...

agreed!