The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority continues to pressure bookmakers to ensure easy withdrawal of funds from player’s accounts.
The authority recently updated a guidance directive on withdrawals and two bookmakers reportedly changed their withdrawal terms and conditions in response. The directive was issued after an investigation by the authority into unfair practices by bookmakers.
According to UK reports, Jumpman Gaming and Progress Play removed terms that prevented players from withdrawing their account balances if they hadn’t logged in to their accounts or if they didn’t meet deadlines for proving their identity.
The authority ruled that such terms were “unfair” under consumer protection regulations.
Along with Jumpman and Progress Play, William Hill, Ladbrokes and PT Entertainment Services—which operates TitanBet and Winner.co.uk—are also changing their practices following CMA direction.
According to Online Poker Report, the issue for William Hill, Ladbrokes and Titanbet was restrictions on cashing out while a bonus was pending. Customers were prevented from cashing out while they were earning their bonus, or if they did, then they lost any proportion of the bonus earned.
The authority deemed those provisions were also “unfair.”
Under the authority’s direction, the sites have added the provision:
“Promotional Play Restrictions and Wagering Requirements (if applicable) do not apply to any play by a consumer with their Deposit Balance except where in-game mechanisms automatically prevent a consumer from placing a wager that contravenes the Promotional Play Restrictions.”
The rule means players will not lose bonus funds earned by cashing out.
“Gambling always carries a risk, but players should never face unfair restrictions that prevent them from getting at their money,” said CMA Project Director George Lusty in a press release. “Firms mustn’t stack the odds against players, by putting unfair obstacles in their way, or making it difficult for them to stop gambling when they want to.”
The UK Gambling Commission supported the move.
“We back the action taken by the CMA today. Gambling firms must treat their customers fairly and not attach unreasonable terms and conditions to their promotions and offers,” said Sarah Gardner, executive director of the commission. “We expect all Gambling Commission licensed businesses to immediately review the promotions and sign up deals they offer customers and take whatever steps they need to take, to the same timescales agreed by the three operators, to ensure they comply.”
In another regulatory matter, Camelot UK Lotteries Limited has accepted a £1.15 million penalty package from the gambling commission over problems with the firm’s mobile app and the publishing of an incomplete list of raffle prizes following a Lotto draw.
The commission has ruled that as part of the company’s sanctioning, the sum of £1.15 million will be distributed to National Lottery good causes.
“Camelot has taken a number of steps to rectify the issues and given us assurances that they now have the right processes in place to prevent re-occurrences,” said Richard Watson, commission executive director. “It is crucial that the National Lottery is run fairly, safely and with integrity and we’ll continue to hold Camelot to account.”
