We receive complaints here at Player Protection Legal from numerous players who have been unfairly treated by Internet casinos. One of the most common complaints is when you are unable to get your winnings back or have money refunded when things go wrong. With over 12 years of experience in helping players recover money from online casinos, we have discovered the best method of handling chargebacks and disputes. In this article, we’re going to explain what a chargeback is, generally, how it is handled, when to employ it, and how our experts can help make your case stronger.
What Is a Chargeback, and How Does It Work?
A chargeback is an involuntary reversal of a credit or debit card transaction that you ask your bank or card issuer to do. A chargeback is insisted upon by your bank if they determine that a transaction is invalid or that the service you were assured of by the merchant did not occur. When you charge back, your bank temporarily reverses the disputed amount back into your account, pending an investigation. The casino will attempt to dispute the chargeback by presenting evidence that the transaction was legitimate. Your bank reviews evidence on both sides before a decision is made.
Remember that chargebacks were designed as consumer protection and not to recover gambling losses. Abuse will result in charges, such as account closure or blacklisting by payment providers!
Can You Get a Chargeback for Online Gambling?
Not all gambling problems are chargeback eligible, but most are. We are going to provide information about the times when it is eligible:
When a Chargeback Is Possible:
- Unauthorised Charges: In case you have unauthorised charges that you have not accepted or confirmed, you can dispute them as fraudulent.
- Unlicensed or Scam Casinos: If you’ve deposited at an operator that isn’t properly licensed, a chargeback is well-warranted, and our quick-read guide “Gambling Scams: How to Avoid Fake Casino Sites and Fraudulent Operators” shows you exactly how to spot these outfits before they touch your card details.
- Withheld Winnings: If a casino will not pay out rightful winnings for no valid reason, you qualify for a chargeback.
- Misrepresentation: If the casino misrepresented its services or left out material terms before your deposit.
- Procedural Violations: If the casino violated regulations of procedure or its stated procedures.
When a Chargeback Is Unlikely to Succeed:
- Standard Gambling Losses: If you simply lost at gambling, that is not an acceptable basis for a chargeback.
- Terms Violations: You violated the terms and conditions of the casino (e.g., bonus abuse, multiplicity of accounts).
- Delayed Withdrawals: The withdrawal is only longer than normal but not outside the term’s time limitation.
- Expired Time Limits: Chargebacks must be initiated in the majority of banks within 120 days of the transaction.
The Chargeback Process: Step-by-Step Guide
If you believe that you have valid reasons for a chargeback, follow this step-by-step guide to make everything clear for you:
Step 1: Gather Evidence
Before contacting your bank, collect these needed documents:
- Transaction information
- Screenshots of your casino account
- Copies of all communications with the casino
- Relevant Casino terms and conditions
- Evidence against the casino
Step 2: Contact the Casino First
Before filing a chargeback, you should attempt to resolve the issue with the casino first. If you do not know how, here is a recommendation for you:
- Send a formal complaint letter explaining your problem
- Relevant laws or terms that they have violated
- Give them enough time to respond (typically 7-14 days)
- Keep records of all communications
It’s a necessary step because your bank would rather you inform them whether you attempted to resolve the issue with the merchant initially.
Step 3: File a Dispute with Your Bank
If the casino doesn’t respond favorably, you should do these:
- Contact your bank’s dispute department
- Explain the situation clearly and provide your reason that this is a valid chargeback and not a gambling loss
- Submit all your evidence
Step 4: Respond to Any Follow-up Questions
The bank may ask for additional information, and you should do this in such a situation:
- Answer immediate questions
- Provide clear, factual information
- Focus on how the casino violated its obligations, not on the gambling itself
Step 5: Await the Bank’s Decision
The investigation typically takes 30 days, up to a maximum of 90 days:
- The temporary credit may be reversed if the casino successfully contests your claim
- If your chargeback is approved, the funds become permanent
- Keep in mind that the casino may still try to reclaim through other means if they suspect the chargeback was fraudulent
Common Challenges with Gambling Chargebacks
Chargebacks at online casinos have some unique problems:
Resistance from Banks
Banks are slow to approve gambling-related chargebacks because:
- They consider gambling transactions high-risk
- They may view gambling losses as a natural risk you accepted
- Some credit card agreements specifically exclude gambling disputes
Strong Opposition from Casinos
Casinos aggressively fight chargebacks by:
- Submitting evidence of your play
- Pointing to the terms and conditions to which you have agreed
- Demonstrating that their services were delivered as promised
Payment Method Limitations
All payment options are not allowed for chargebacks:
- Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible
- Some e-wallets have limited dispute settlement
- A bank transfer may possess unequal credit card protection
Jurisdictional Complexities
Online casinos often operate from jurisdictions like Curaçao, Costa Rica, or Panama, which:
- Light regulations exist
- Make cross-border legal action challenging
- Players have fewer options
How Player Protection Legal Can Help
More than 12 years of experience dealing with online gaming disputes means we provide:
Expert Chargeback Assistance
Our team:
- Evaluate your case to determine if a chargeback is appropriate
- Helps build the strongest available legal argument
- Prepares and writes all the documents properly to make sure they get it just right
- Handles the finance institutions directly on your behalf
No Upfront Fees
We work on a no-win, no-fee basis:
- At first, we charge you nothing for our services.
- Our fees are collected only after we win your case.
- This goal-oriented strategy indicates that we are dedicated to your success.
Comprehensive Legal Strategy
For more complex cases, we provide the following steps:
- Tailor legal plans based on your situation
- Guide you through the fine points of gambling law
- Implement the strategy, which can involve negotiating with the casino, suing them, or issuing chargebacks
Specialised Knowledge of Unlicensed Casinos
We possess expert understanding dealing with:
- Unlicensed and grey market online casinos that function
- Platforms operating under licenses from jurisdictions like Curaçao
- Casinos are exploiting the law loophole that won’t pay out to players
Conclusion: Act Quickly and Seek Expert Help
When you’re having issues with an online casino, don’t wait around. Most banks only give you about 120 days from the transaction date to file a chargeback. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of getting your money back.
While chargebacks can be a powerful tool for recovering funds from shady or unfair casinos, successfully navigating the process takes knowledge of both gambling regulations and financial dispute procedures—knowledge that most players simply don’t have.
Your legitimate winnings are our top priority at Player Protection Legal. Our team of lawyers will serve as your professional advocates, conducting themselves with honour and interest in protecting players’ rights from the incidents of modern-day online gambling.
Ready to take the next step? Call us for a free consultation to review your case and explore your best options. You’ve got nothing to lose—except the possibility of recovering your money.