Vista Gaming no longer accepting UK customers

[colin3005]

Well thanks for the great notice period you gave us all, ie, none.

Due to a change in company policy and local regulations, we will no longer be able to accept players who are resident from the United Kingdom.

Starting on July 20th 2016, no more registrations from UK players are accepted on Vista Gaming websites and registered players who reside in the UK are no longer able to deposit funds into their accounts.

Players with balances will be authorised to play or withdraw these balances between now and August 1st at which point every UK player account on Vista Gaming properties will be disabled.

We encourage you to stop driving UK traffic to our websites starting immediately and we apologise if this change in policy has any negative impact on you. Be assured that It was not a decision taken lightly and the company had no choice but to take it.

Of course, commissions owed for UK players that you have referred to us in the past will be paid normally for as long as they are able to play with us.

This change does not affect traffic coming from other countries or regions.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding that.

As for this bit

Of course, commissions owed for UK players that you have referred to us in the past will be paid normally for as long as they are able to play with us.

So that will be a whole 10 days then?
Considering they have a rep active here you would have thought a post would have been made.

[Anthony]

I moved this thread into the Vista forum.

[TheGooner]

They NEVER had a UK license ... according to other GPWA threads. (20 Nov 2014)
So getting upset about a withdrawal from the UK is strange ...

I understand that it's sudden - but they were never a viable UK Licensed program.

[colin3005]

They NEVER had a UK license ... according to other GPWA threads. (20 Nov 2014)
So getting upset about a withdrawal from the UK is strange ...

I understand that it's sudden - but they were never a viable UK Licensed program.

they were accepting uk players yesterday and my player account is still open, so if thats the case they are dodgy as hell, and certainly shouldn't be allowed to be a sponsor on here or anywhere else!

[universal4]

Well the email states that accounts would be eligible for "play or withdraw" up until the end of the month, which is most likely why the account appears as open.

This is better than not allowing players to make withdraws for sure, however 10 days is somewhat thin.

Rick
Universal4

[colin3005]

Well I just asked live chat and they didn't have a clue about anything, in fact stated

colin
wow. ok, What will be happening with my account on the 1st of August please, will you be destroying all my details?
Julian
Sorry, I am not exactly understanding, why be destroyed?
Your account is and should be remain enabled at all times unless you request to have it disabled or closed or self excluded.
colin
because you are closing all uk accounts, surely you know of this?
Julian
We have not really been notified of this, I wonder if you have receive an email message with this?
received*

Regardless, if they have no UK license then I shouldn't be able to play there, but I can!

[universal4]

Have you checked at ALL casinos you can play at from the UK if they have a UK License?

Have you only ever joined casinos that had a UK License?

Were you led to believe they had a license when you joined?

Rick
Universal4

[colin3005]

Have you checked at ALL casinos you can play at from the UK if they have a UK License?

Have you only ever joined casinos that had a UK License?

Were you led to believe they had a license when you joined?

Rick
Universal4

The vast majority yes, certainly within the past year or so.
Yes of course, by law they have to have a license issued by the UKGC to accept players from the UK, I actually signed up to these after opening an affiliate account after seeing them on here, my chain of thought being if they are a sponsor on here they wont be dodgy. Seems like I was wrong.
Not sure why the questioning of me tbh Rick, I'm not the one breaking the law - presumably you will be asking questions to the rep as to how they have been operating in the UK if they don't have a license?

You seem to be extremely defensive of a company that happens to pay to be a sponsor on here, when they are obviously dodgy, with even live chat not being told whats going on.

[universal4]

My guess is that the UKGC has been cracking down more and more on operators.

Questioning my integrity is really not the issue here, as I do not discern between sponsors and non-sponsors when it comes to what I question about them or whether I choose to promote them. (I do admit that having a presence here at the GPWA, whether as a sponsor or non-sponsor does make contact easier though)

In your answer about whether all properties you play at are licensed or not, you stated most but not all.

If you are so concerned with only playing at licensed properties, you might want to check all the others you play at since this same thing "could" happen at other properties also, whether they are sponsors here or not.

I agree that for them to send out a mailing to their players about pulling the plug on UK players, they most CERTAINLY should have informed customer service PRIOR to clicking on send, but I guess the person that made that decision must be the math whiz. I would imagine that customer service has been inundated with the same kinds of questions you posed to them the last few hours if the mailing you got only went out today.

Rick
Universal4

[colin3005]

My guess is that the UKGC has been cracking down more and more on operators.

Questioning my integrity is really not the issue here, as I do not discern between sponsors and non-sponsors when it comes to what I question about them or whether I choose to promote them. (I do admit that having a presence here at the GPWA, whether as a sponsor or non-sponsor does make contact easier though)

If they are breaking the law then surely that would be something you would question?

In your answer about whether all properties you play at are licensed or not, you stated most but not all.

If you are so concerned with only playing at licensed properties, you might want to check all the others you play at since this same thing "could" happen at other properties also, whether they are sponsors here or not.

My answer was more if I had checked before joining, a few years ago I joined some casinos before I knew about licensing and before the laws changed. As far as I am aware every casino I play at now does have a UK license. I haven't played here as long as I remember, however am annoyed that I have been sending UK players to a casino that is breaking the law. As I say, I presumed they were ok being a sponsor on here, obviously though if dodgy casinos are accepted as sponsors I better check the ones I have signed up to as an affiliate through here.

I agree that for them to send out a mailing to their players about pulling the plug on UK players, they most CERTAINLY should have informed customer service PRIOR to clicking on send, but I guess the person that made that decision must be the math whiz. I would imagine that customer service has been inundated with the same kinds of questions you posed to them the last few hours if the mailing you got only went out today.

Rick
Universal4

I haven't had an email from them as a player, and I do have a very small balance so certainly should have got one. If people only have 10 days to get their funds then I would suggest VistaGaming should have emailed everyone immediately, especially as a lot of people will be on holidays, quite often for over 10 days, so from reading the email, they will lose their money.

No doubt though one of the reps will be along in the morning to explain whats happened

[universal4]

I do agree that as a player you SHOULD have been notified about the changes, and hope they have now had enough complaints to customer service that they get a notice out immediately if they had not already done so.

Rick
Universal4

[Sebastien_VGA]

Hi All,

I'm Sebastien, Affiliate Manager for Vista Gaming. Please allow me a moment to clarify this situation.

It is with reluctance that Vista Gaming have indeed taken the decision to exit the UK player market. Due to a change in company policy and local regulations, we will no longer be accepting players that are resident in the United Kingdom.

In keeping with our obligations to our partners and affiliates we have informed them prior to informing our player base. This is to allow them to update web sites, portals and marketing materials and bring to a close any active marketing for UK resident players.

All UK resident players will be informed within the following days of the changes and intended closure of their player accounts. They will be given an explanation of what actions are open to them, withdrawal of any cash funds and the ability to play through any remaining balance if they so desire.

Vista Gaming will continue to maintain complete transparency with regard to these changes and update all partners, affiliates and players accordingly.

For anything else, please contact me directly or our customer support.

Thanks for your understanding.

[colin3005]

So the email said 1st August all player accounts will be disabled, will the players be able to withdraw after that? Do you not think, especially at this time of year, you should give them more than a few days notice considering many will be on holiday and not checking emails or casino accounts?
What is your UKGC license number please?
Don't see why you say contact customer support, they are not even aware of the changes!

[universal4]

All UK resident players will be informed within the following days of the changes and intended closure of their player accounts.

within the following days?????

So had you done the responsible thing and notified the players as soon as the decision was made, they would have had 10 days or less to get their money out.

So how many days is a reasonable time frame, to be notified, and get the money out, plus provide any documents you will demanding etc....

Plus what happens to folks who have just recently joined and might be playing off a bonus?

What happens to players who might go on holiday in a few days....maybe they will leave the day you notify them, and not return until after the 1st? I mean since you decided NOT to give them 10 days but maybe 5 o5 6 or 7 days?

And based upon Colin's research, discussing the situation with a customer support staff that is NOT even aware of the impending changes is a big oops....

And, have you STOPPED accepting UK residents already, or do you still take them and allow them to deposit only to find out within the following days that their accounts will be closed soon.

Rick
Universal4

Edited to add: Notifying affiliates of this immediately is a good thing, but in my opinion waiting to notify the players (any amount of time) is just plain wrong.

[Sebastien_VGA]

Thank you for your concern regarding our players’ situation.


ONLY active, depositing players are the ones that would be concerned by this measure, these players have all been informed by email.


With regard to the delay in notification, we agree that the time frame for this action may have been short but this decision was beyond our control and unfortunately it has not been possible for us to negotiate a delay.


In any event, we can assure every player with funds available for withdrawal that will be able to request any monies due to them, even if they miss the 7 day deadline.

[universal4]

ONLY active, depositing players are the ones that would be concerned by this measure, these players have all been informed by email.

I fail to see the logic of NOT informing ALL Uk Players of this whether they have been active recently or not.

As far as the delay in notification, you stated there would be a delay since it was your words that said players would be notified within the following days, and that was a delay that you DID have control over.

Rick
Universal4

[colin3005]

Thank you for your concern regarding our players’ situation.


ONLY active, depositing players are the ones that would be concerned by this measure, these players have all been informed by email.


With regard to the delay in notification, we agree that the time frame for this action may have been short but this decision was beyond our control and unfortunately it has not been possible for us to negotiate a delay.


In any event, we can assure every player with funds available for withdrawal that will be able to request any monies due to them, even if they miss the 7 day deadline.

Funnily enough thats not what live chat told me, they said emails haven't been sent out and it is a message when you login and go to your account page. Who is lying, you or them?

There is a message displayed on their accounts showing this message:

VegasCrestCasino is unable to accept players from some jurisdictions dependant on local laws and company policies. Due to recent changes in our policies, the United Kingdom is now one of such countries and we therefore regret to inform you that you won’t be able play on our website as from August 1st, 2016. Before then, you should withdraw any funds that your account may contain. If you have not yet verified your account, please log onto your account and click « get verified » and provide us with a proof of ID and proof of address. You will then be able to request your withdrawal. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for having played with us!

Also, you didn't tell me your license number, and nor did RiskManagement@VegasCrestCasino.ag after I was promised they would reply within 48 hours.

If you don't have a license, can you explain why you have been breaking the law for the past 20 months and why anyone should trust you going forward. I mean if you are happy to rip the UKGC off by not paying the license fee, and completely ignore the UK laws, then surely you wont think twice about stealing from players or affiliates if you feel like it?

What 7 day deadline are you talking about?

[colin3005]

So as an update, these refuse to give me any information on the UK license, and as there is none listed on the UKGC site, I think its safe to say they don't have one and have therefore been breaking the law since 2014.

With that in mind, presumably they will be removed as a sponsor here as they break the first term?

LAWFUL BUSINESS CONDUCT AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Sponsor agrees that both Sponsor and the companies Sponsor represents (collectively “Sponsor Companies”) will abide by all laws, regulations, and applicable license requirements of the jurisdictions within which they operate. If licenses are required to conduct the business of the Sponsor Companies within said jurisdictions, then the Sponsor agrees to provide evidence of said licenses upon request.

[Sherlock]

So as an update, these refuse to give me any information on the UK license, and as there is none listed on the UKGC site, I think its safe to say they don't have one and have therefore been breaking the law since 2014.

With that in mind, presumably they will be removed as a sponsor here as they break the first term?

You are right.

But the rule is stupid. There are many grey or illegal operators that pay both affiliates and players. Legality should not be a rule for sponsor listings. Or this rule should not be enforced.

There are plenty of gambling sites that are fully legal, but total ****. Legality is a problem between states and gambling sites or sadly even affiliates. It is not a problem for affiliate2operator relationships. There are certainly some banana or shariah states that will rule all online gambling illegal anywhere on the planet. USA have similar ambitions. The whole idea that states want to dictate their citizens/residents/anyone where they can spend their money is pure nonsense. Yes - states have power, so they try to get their money. But I do not see a reason why affiliates have to accept this.

There will be a counterattack to the taxing offensive. With Bitcoin or maybe with deepweb. There will be affiliate business even there. There is no reason why affiliate portals should not cover this area or deliberately limit themselves. Of course it is better for business to like GPWA to say they comply with laws, but there is no need to enforce that from affiliates. I want information how to make money and share trust, not nitpicking. UK gambling goes directly to hell. It does not make me happy to make legally pennies from my traffic and voluntarily support indebted corrupted governments around the world.

[colin3005]

You are right.

But the rule is stupid. There are many grey or illegal operators that pay both affiliates and players. Legality should not be a rule for sponsor listings. Or this rule should not be enforced.

There are plenty of gambling sites that are fully legal, but total ****. Legality is a problem between states and gambling sites or sadly even affiliates. It is not a problem for affiliate2operator relationships. There are certainly some banana or shariah states that will rule all online gambling illegal anywhere on the planet. USA have similar ambitions. The whole idea that states want to dictate their citizens/residents/anyone where they can spend their money is pure nonsense. Yes - states have power, so they try to get their money. But I do not see a reason why affiliates have to accept this.

There will be a counterattack to the taxing offensive. With Bitcoin or maybe with deepweb. There will be affiliate business even there. There is no reason why affiliate portals should not cover this area or deliberately limit themselves. Of course it is better for business to like GPWA to say they comply with laws, but there is no need to enforce that from affiliates. I want information how to make money and share trust, not nitpicking. UK gambling goes directly to hell. It does not make me happy to make legally pennies from my traffic and voluntarily support indebted corrupted governments around the world.

I understand what you are saying and thats fair enough, however the rule is there and it should be enforced.
For me I won't promote them again simply because if they will be happy to break the law and stick 2 fingers up at a goverment, any goverment not just UK, then I am sure they won't care about cheating affiliates if they want to.

As much as the UKGC can be a pain at times, I don't actually think it does much wrong. Operators are much better now then they were a couple of years ago and from a player point of view the industry has improved massively.