1. Why Section 75 Matters for Gamblers
Winning a substantial sum only to meet a wall of delays – or silence – from the casino when you request your payout is a uniquely frustrating experience for any player. Because most offshore casinos operate far from UK regulators, players often assume the money is gone for good. Yet if you made the original deposit with a credit card, UK law gives you a powerful back-up plan: Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. It makes your card provider jointly responsible when a merchant breaches its contract. Put simply, if the casino won’t pay, you can demand the money from the card company instead – and they can’t simply shrug it off.
2. The Essentials of Section 75
| Rule | What It Means for Players |
| Credit card only | Debit, prepaid and bank transfers are excluded. |
| £100–£30,000 per purchase | The single deposit must be over £100 and under £30k. Multiple small deposits don’t add up. |
| Direct transaction | You must pay the casino directly with the card – funding PayPal or Skrill first usually breaks the cover. |
| Breach of contract | You need evidence that the casino failed to honour a legitimate withdrawal request or otherwise broke its own terms. |
3. When Does Section 75 Apply to Casino Disputes?
- Deposit made by credit card – The UK banned credit-card gambling on licensed casinos in 2020, but many unlicensed sites still accept them. If you used a card before the ban, or on an offshore site today, you can still claim.
- You won money you’re contractually owed – Section 75 does not refund losses. It kicks in when the casino fails to pay winnings or locks a legitimate balance.
- Reasonable attempts to resolve – Always email support, follow the casino’s complaint route and keep screenshots. If they ignore you or give spurious excuses, that failed dialogue becomes part of your evidence.
4. Section 75 vs. Chargeback – Which Should You Try First?
| Section 75 | Chargeback | |
| Basis | UK consumer law; legally binding | Card-network rules; voluntary |
| Cards covered | Credit only | Credit and debit |
| Value limits | £100–£30 k | None |
| Deadline | None in law (practical 6-year limit) | Usually 120 days |
| Strength | Card issuer is jointly liable – harder for them to refuse | Faster but less certain; merchant can fight it |
| Best use-case | Larger claims, rogue merchants, expired chargeback window | Quick disputes, sub-£100 deposits, debit-card users |
Many banks attempt chargeback first; if it fails or time has lapsed, Section 75 remains available. (For a full walkthrough of the chargeback process itself, see our earlier blog post “Chargebacks in Online Gambling: Can You Get Your Money Back?”).
5. Step-by-Step Guide to a Section 75 Claim
Step 1 – Collect Evidence
- Card statement showing the deposit.
- Screenshots of balance, withdrawal request, and any “pending” status.
- Casino terms highlighting withdrawal timeframes.
- Emails or live-chat transcripts proving non-payment.
Step 2 – Complain to the Casino
Send a clear, dated demand for payment. If they cite a rule, ask them to show exactly which one you broke. Wait a reasonable period (7–14 days).
Step 3 – Contact Your Card Provider
Call or write to the dispute department:
“I am making a Section 75 claim. I deposited £xxx at [Casino] on [date]. I won £yyy. The casino has breached its contract by refusing to pay.”
Attach your evidence. Some providers supply an online form; others accept a detailed letter.
Step 4 – Respond to Follow-Up Questions
Card issuers often ask for extra documents. Provide them promptly; silence can stall your case.
Step 5 – Await the Final Decision
They have up to eight weeks to issue a final response. If they agree, they credit your account and pursue the casino themselves. If they refuse or low-ball you, proceed to Step 6.
Step 6 – Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
Free, simple and persuasive. Upload the bank’s rejection letter and your evidence. The FOS can order the issuer to refund you, plus interest.
6. Common Pitfalls (and Easy Fixes)
- Deposits under £100 – Try a chargeback instead; Section 75 won’t cover tiny transactions.
- Split payments – Ten £50 deposits are ten separate contracts. Next time, make one £100+ deposit if you want legal cover (and still gamble responsibly).
- E-wallet “middlemen” – Pay casinos directly with a card. If you must use PayPal or Skrill, be prepared to rely on their in-house dispute or a chargeback.
- “Cash advance” coding – Some banks label gambling as cash and claim Section 75 doesn’t apply. Politely insist it was a service that wasn’t delivered.
- Vague bonus terms – If the casino blames bonus abuse, show why their rule is ambiguous or why you complied. Ambiguity usually benefits the consumer.
- Giving up after first ‘no’ – Initial staff may not understand Section 75. Escalate inside the bank, then to the Ombudsman if needed.
7. Case Snapshot: £5,000 Recovered
“John,” a Midlands player, deposited £500 on an offshore casino with his Barclaycard, hit a £5,000 slot win, and requested a withdrawal. The casino verified his ID, then ghosted him. After two months of silence, John gathered statements, screenshots, and the T&Cs promising 72-hour payouts.
- John sent a concise Section 75 letter to Barclaycard.
- The bank at first replied that gambling claims were excluded.
- John pressed back, citing breach of contract for a service.
- Within six weeks, Barclaycard refunded the full £5,000.
The rogue casino vanished soon after. Without Section 75, the money would have been lost forever.
8. Quick FAQ
Does Section 75 refund my lost bets?
No. It compensates for the casino’s failure to honour legitimate winnings or balances, not normal gambling losses.
Is there a time limit?
Legally, none until the six-year contract limitation, but act promptly; memories fade, and evidence disappears.
What if I used a debit card?
Try a chargeback within 120 days. If that fails, you may need to pursue the casino via its regulator or civil court.
Will claiming affect my credit score?
No. A Section 75 refund is a correction, not a missed payment or default.
9. Final Checklist Before You Claim
- Credit card deposit ≥ £100?
- Clear breach (e.g., unpaid withdrawal)?
- Evidence saved (statements, screenshots, emails)?
- Formal complaint sent to a casino?
- Drafted a polite, fact-based Section 75 letter?
Tick all five and you’re ready to press send.
10. Need Help? Player Protection Legal Is on Your Side
Section 75 is robust, but card issuers sometimes play hardball – especially when “gambling” is in the subject line. If you’re unsure how to frame your evidence, or the bank has already pushed back, Player Protection Legal can step in. We:
- Review your documents and spot any gaps.
- Draft or polish your Section 75 submission.
- Challenge unfair bank refusals and, if required, prepare your Ombudsman case.
Contact us to discuss your case and explore the most suitable funding options – your winnings belong to you, and we’re ready to help you reclaim them.