By Charlie Car Michael-
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGM) is set to introduce new tough rules from next week, 31st October designed at resulting in a fairer gaming environment for all online gamblers.
Ambiguous terms and conditions set by the providers have been said to be at work against the customer who signs unto a deal that doesn’t balance up with its benefits. The limited time tournament tickets won in a promotion have to be used, has led to a number of complaints from customers. It is usually within a certain number of days.
Punters have also complained that the waiting time for withdrawal takes a number of days to claim their money. This cannot be said to be a common feature of all casinos in the Uk because many casinos provide on the spot winnings to their customers.
The main problem with online providers is unfair terms and conditions. Online providers have successfully got thousands of its punters to agree to conditions its customers have not read. In many cases it has led to customers glossing over important terms and conditions. An example of a term and condition found in one online provider’s contract with its customer read like this:
”If a player submits a complaint or claim, [name of online operator] reserves the right at any time, without prior notice and without prejudice to any subsequent proceedings, to close the player´s account, deny access to all or part of the services, and in particular to refuse to accept a bet or transaction, or to withdraw promotional offers from [name of online operator] pending the conclusion of any proceedings”
Conditions like these don’t make sense and show an unacceptable level of bullying in the industry.The Gambling Commission which regulates the licensing conditions of all casinos in the Uk have fairness as one of their policy requirements. Recently, the Gambling Commission has fined a number of online operators for misconduct. It fined Mark Jarvis £94,000 for interaction failing with customers, and also fined Rank Group £500,000 after they refused to protect a problem gambler.
The UK Gambling Commission also provides that complaints procedures must be conducted in a manner that is fair and reasonable. With an abundance of evidence that complaints of customers are often brushed aside, new tougher laws will be expected to punish those who condone its violations. There will also have to be transparency so the public can see they are regulating as effectively as they should. The new laws are in its final stages of development with observers scrutinizing the current conditions to see that all relevant gaps are filled.