Anyone who routinely plays online casino games has probably encountered the ins and outs of the terms and conditions associated with any online operator. From the terms of payments and payouts to the conditions of no deposit bonuses, it seems like every aspect of playing comes with some form of small print. This shouldn’t be surprising to anyone, especially considering the amount of money being thrown around at an online casino. Casinos have to protect themselves and their customers with clear rules and provisions.
Any online casino operator worth their salt will have clear and understandable terms and conditions covering every possible situation that a player might encounter.
Safeguards for All Parties
Players may not always know this, but T&Cs are not only written to safeguard the casino. They’re also there to protect the players, especially on the off chance the operator you’re dealing with turns out to be rogue, or, worse off, blacklisted.
This is why it’s good to look at reputable sources when ‘shopping around’ for the casino of your choice. Case in point, NoDepositExplorer only lists reputable and licensed casinos. This means that every operator has gone through rigorous testing and has transparent, easy-to-understand T&Cs.
If you happen upon an online casino that doesn’t have clear terms and conditions regarding financial transactions like deposits, payouts, win conditions, and how they plan to use your data, it’s best to move on and keep looking for a safe place to play. There’s nothing worse than giving out your financial information to a shady operator.
The Millionaire Who Almost Wasn’t
Typically, large companies have vast resources to fight (and win) any legal dispute over the average player who can’t compete. Sometimes, however, David beats Goliath. A prime example of the little guy getting a win over the casino and its terms and conditions can be seen in the story of Andrew Green.
Andrew Green was playing Blackjack online at BetFred when he won £1.7 million. The Lincolnshire local was ecstatic but his dreams were turned into a nightmare when Andrew tried to cash out his winnings. BetFred’s third-party software provider notified the operator that there may be a “defect” with the game, causing it to pay out more than the operator might have desired.
According to the terms and conditions built into many online casinos, any earnings won from a lawsuit exploiting a defective program are null and void and the casinos do not have to pay out. This is another great reason to read the terms and conditions before you play, so as not to find yourself in the same situation as Andrew.
Andrew Green’s experience occurred in 2018 and as of 2021, Andrew successfully won his case against BetFred. It was an uphill battle and not easy by any means. Andrew was even reported to have wished he never won in the first place, saying, “The last three years have felt like hell on earth.”
In Andrew Green’s case, winning against the casino is possible, but it was a long and difficult battle with the courts to get them to pay.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Chances are if you’re in a Terms and Conditions dispute, most cases will be clearly defined in writing. Most casinos will use the same industry-standard rules but tailored to their own individual needs. If you come across a problem, it’s typically not worth lawyering up unless there’s a lot of money or substantial capital to be won or lost. It is, however, worth making a formal complaint if you have any issues with a casino — as well as documenting every interaction between yourself and their customer service representatives.
And, if your issues aren’t resolved through traditional means, you can also try talking to others via online forums as well as reading reviews, and reaching out to players in similar circumstances. These options are some other great ways to protect yourself.
The power of the internet and public opinion are great tools at your disposal. New online casinos are popping up every day and the competition is fierce. A few bad reviews could spell the end of an operator, no matter how many cash bonuses they offer. Casinos have been known to try and resolve issues of bad reviews or at least clarify their reasonings. If they get a terrible reputation then they’ll lose customers and support.
It is, of course, always best to avoid any problems from the start. Doing a bit of research and only playing at reputable casinos and reading terms and conditions before your first deposit will save you tons of problems in the long run.
Also read: How iGaming has Changed Over The Years
