Screwed over by Bookies T&C's

thfcem

Earlier today I put a bet online on Tito Vilanova to become next Barcelona manager when I heard news on twitter he was a likely candidate. The bookie accepted a bet of €20 @ 14/1 but about 30 mins after market closed the said bet void- late bet. They sent me an email with this

Due to a technical problem, the Next Permanent Barcelona Manager market was still active and displayed on our site after the result had been determined. Please be advised that Tito Vilanova was confirmed as Pep Guardiola's successor at 12:51, which was earlier than the time your bet was placed. In accordance with our rules, we are obliged to void your bet placed on this event. Below is our rule regarding late bets:

Our rules state:

'Bets are accepted up to the off-time of the event or a pre-determined time whichever the earlier. reserves the right to void any bet inadvertently accepted after the betting has closed or where the event was resolved or at a stage where the customer could have any indication of the outcome.'


my bet was places at 12:52 btw, which was just before the official announcement by Barcelona, and I contacted a few other bookmakers and they said thier markets closed after 12:52.

They said they were using BBC as a timestamp source were it said TV was appointed at @12:51 but elsewere on the site it says 12:52, hardly an accurate timestamp is it!

Sounds like a load of bull to me! there was no technical error, the market was suspended about 20 seconds after my bet, surely its up to them to suspend the market!

what do you think folks?

Mezcita

Depends on the bookie really. If it's some obscure Eastern European outfit you are a bit fecked as they seem to make up the rules as they go along.

If it's one of the high street companies you can make an official complaint to IBAS (Or whatever gambling body they are regulated by) to see how you get on.

kryogen

If they took the bet they should pay you even out of goodwill, I assume you have the receipt? Threaten them with bad publicity maybe?

Or chalk it down to experience

thfcem

Bet was placed online, I have been onto them a couple of times, at first they replied to my emails almost instantly, now they are just ignoring me it looks like.

It is one of the major Irish bookmakers btw

kryogen

thfcem wrote: »

Bet was placed online, I have been onto them a couple of times, at first they replied to my emails almost instantly, now they are just ignoring me it looks like.

It is one of the major Irish bookmakers btw

If you have a record of the bet then you can complain officially or publicly through the media, or both.

Which bookmaker is it?

thfcem

Where/who can you complain to? Doesn't seem to be an Irish version of IBAS. Plus they have all their T&C's covering their arses.

It's the bookies friend Paddy Power

Mezcita

So PP are regulated by these guys:

http://www.gov.im/gambling/

Bit of a long shot though. I'd email PP again advising them that you are about to lodge a formal complain with the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commision. Would also say that you are going to lodge a complaint with SportsBookReview.com. Worth a shot.

thfcem

Thanks for the replies lads, I have forwarded my complaint to IBAS and I will let you know how I get on.

shocksy

Mezcita wrote: »

So PP are regulated by these guys:

http://www.gov.im/gambling/

Bit of a long shot though. I'd email PP again advising them that you are about to lodge a formal complain with the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commision. Would also say that you are going to lodge a complaint with SportsBookReview.com. Worth a shot.

I'de definitely do what this guy said, that will get them moving, as they will hate the bad publicity, and i'de also request a good will gesture on top of what your owed.

If they fail to respond go full steam ahead, carry out the complaints and show them you aren't bluffing. They cant get away with stuff like that.

thfcem

I have made a complaint to IBAS as they will not reply to me. I'm not gonna let this go easily!

Polar101

Seems a bit weird that they wouldn't pay out since the market wasn't suspended and you placed the bet before the official announcement. BBC can hardly be called an official source for sports betting times.

But their terms&conditions do seem to cover their actions unfortunately.

I'd think any respectable bookie would pay out the bet in this case..

pistolpetes11

thfcem wrote: »

I have made a complaint to IBAS as they will not reply to me. I'm not gonna let this go easily!

Get onto the facebook page and kick up a bit of a stink , wont be too long getting something sorted

kryogen

Any update on this? interested to see how it turns out