The Isle of Man’s eGaming regulator is investigating after four online bookmakers were accused of closing accounts and voiding bets.
Police say they received a large number of complaints after island-based 138.com, 12Bet, Fun88.co.uk and TLC Bet sent emails to customers suggesting they have abused the sites’ promotions systems in relation to deals offered during the Cheltenham Festival.
The island’s Gambling Supervision Commission confirmed it is investigating.
It said it is in dialogue with the licensees’ representatives: ‘When we become aware of a complaint about fairness we gather information from customers and from the licensee. We then examine the information and form a conclusion. This two-stage process can take some time.
‘Conclusions are shared with the relevant parties and any party may challenge the conclusion. Once that process is complete, the GSC makes a recommendation to resolve the issue.’
12Bet, Fun88 and TLC Bet have pledged to review all circumstances, promised to pay winnings where bets have been incorrectly disallowed, and have requested a thorough report from operator and licensee TGP Holdings. 138.com is licensed with Xela Holdings.
It is understood that today (Tuesday) some people regained access to their accounts after being refused access to funds since the festival took place.
Garth Kimber, chief executive officer of TGP Holdings Ltd and Xela Holdings, said: ‘Following unprecedented volumes and unusual activities during the Cheltenham racing festival the company has followed our regulator approved procedures and terms and conditions and reviewed activity deemed suspicious.
‘All payments were processed for accounts not deemed to be under investigation and additionally all payments have now been processed for those accounts reviewed and found not to have been in breach of our terms and conditions. For those accounts where the terms and conditions have been breached, account holders have been informed, the company has processed a refund of deposits, voided all bets (winning and losing) and closed the accounts.
‘The authorities were informed of our concerns and subsequent investigation. The company regrets the time taken and effects on genuine players but is committed to upholding both our own and the industry’s integrity.’
On Monday, police in the Isle of Man directed people to lodge complaints with Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk
And on Tuesday, via the Isle of Man Constabulary Facebook page, police confirmed they had been in touch with TGP Europe over the allegations.
A statement read: ‘The Isle of Man Constabulary have been in contact with TGP Europe Limited in respect of recent complaints we have received from account holders of on-line betting accounts which fall under the TGP Europe Limited umbrella.
‘Updates regarding accounts and monies outstanding will be given to account holders directly by the company in due course.
‘Due diligence has been followed according to the regulator and at this time we do not consider there to be any criminal investigation required.
‘If monies are not returned and people still believe they have been subject of crime they should re-contact the Isle of Man Constabulary through the normal channels.’