BINGOVILLE are scammers and fraudsters! Bingoville ripped me over 4000 USD!

[phx]

Hello.

I am writing this post to warn everyone I can about Bingoville's dishonest and scamming behavior. They are fraudster no less, do not play at this bingo site! And probably neither in sites from the same network. In my Bingoville account I currently have about $4300 that I wish to withdraw, but was unable to, due to a blunder on the part of Bingoville support staff. They are not trustworthy and they will find any excuse to not let you withdraw your winnings, *even contradicting themselves and their own listed rules*!

Let me explain what happened to me, in detail: I deposited and played at Bingoville for some time already, and on one occasion I got lucky and won a large amount in casino games, over $3000! Then, I naturally wished to withdraw the money, but I had to fulfill wagering requirements, since I got some Bingo Bonus. So far so good, that was expected. Now, according to Bingoville's rules there are two different wagering requirements you have to meet depending on whether you played just bingo, or whether you also played casino games, in which case you would need to wager 12x your deposit+bonus (excluding certain games like the roulette). Since I played casino games, this was the wagering requirement I would have to meet. Also, when I went to the withdrawal screen, it would tell you how much of the wagering you had done already. Now, by looking at the information in this screen (and also according to the rules), I noticed that wagering in bingo also contributed to the *casino* wagering requirements, meaning I could fulfill my WR by playing bingo. Now, this should be enough, but just to be sure, I opened a help desk ticket to confirm this:

"Just to confirm, cash wagering on *bingo* does count towards the
casino wagering requirements, correct? "
This was the response:
"Hi Bruno

That is correct.


Cheers

William
BingoVille Support Team"

So I went on and played bingo a lot, as I needed to wager about $1900 in total! I kept notes of how much I had wagered, and when I met that amount, I decided to withdrawal. The withdrawal screen also confirmed that I had wagered more than those casino wagering requirements. So I proceed with the withdrawal. You may have guessed already that the withdrawal was denied and reverted back to my balance. This was only the first setback. I asked support why, and they said that some of the amount I wagered was not cash, but bonus, which did not count for the wagering requirements. I did not see how that was possible, since cash balance is always the first thing to be spent. In fact, during this whole time I played, my "Bonus Balance" and "Bingo Balance" amount stayed constant, only the "Cash Balance" decreased.
But still, they insisted that the amount of wagered money shown in the withdrawal screen included bonus money and not just cash, and that I would need to look at the game history page, and by myself, add all the valid games that I played since the last deposit, to get the correct total cash wagered so far. And on a side note, I could already see that the help desk support was awful, since something like 50% of their replies were completely unhelpful: often they would just did copy&paste some standard template reply, which had nothing to do with my question in the first place. (Later I would realize that this support was not simply awful due to incompetence, but rather dishonesty... they were stalling and deceiving me)

Anyways, I figured I could have made a mistake in my notes/calculations of how much I had wagered, by missing some of the first games I played after winning the big 3k amount. So I did what support told me (checked and added manually all the individual amounts of all the games I had played, from the Bingoville history page). Took me a while to do that. When I finished, it turned out I had only wagered approximately $1700, so I still had some amount left to wager. I didn't understand why it wasn't more than $1900, but ok, its not that much (considering what I had won), so I wagered some more to fulfill the remainder, instead of trying to argue with the crappy help desk.

So I did just that, and actually wagered a lot more than necessary, to make sure I was well above the wagering requirements amount ($1900), and then tried to withdraw a second time, and again, it was denied, and the money reverted. I asked the help desk, and they said all that bingo wagering did not count for the casino wagering requirements at all!
Now I started to get really worried, not only they did not mention this at all in my first support request after my first withdrawal attempt, but more importantly, this was directly contradicting what support had told me in my explicit clarification request before I started wagering at all! (as per the big quote above) I mentioned this to support, but they just deflected the issue, and eventually said they would refer the issue to management and I would hear from them. Weeks passed and I had got reply. I tried emailing them directly, instead of using the help desk, but one of the email addresses I was given was invalid, and the other (support@bingocommunications.com) I go no reply whatsoever from there.

As a last resort, I was getting desperate, and tried to fulfill the casino wagering requirements by playing just valid casino games (Video Poker). I did so for several days, as even by wagering the max bet possible, it takes some time (the max bets there are low). When I finished, I actually got quite "lucky", as I won a lot in some games, and after wagering more than $2000 in Video Poker, I actually had a bigger balance than when I started this second wagering round! (I had $4500 now, so I had won something like $1500 more). So for the third time I requested a withdrawal, and it was denied again.

This time they said it was because it had passed more that 30 days since I made a deposit, so I was not allowed to withdraw money! This was a bit silly rule, but to be fair, the rule is explicitly mentioned in the website. *However*, what is not mentioned, is that if your balance is above 1500, you cannot make a deposit (the site software does not allow it)!! Can you believe that?? With these two rules combined, I was completely stuck... I was just being ripped off over and over (to not use harsher language).
I tried to contact Bingoville support again (both the help desk and email address) to resolve this, because in any case, this does not excuse the fact that I was given wrong information by the support desk in regards to the bingo wagering, which is not only wrong by itself, but it was also the reason why I spent more than 30 days before I went on to requested a withdrawal (that, and the continuous delays and deflection from the support desk. aka bull-crap). So, even if they would not revert the decision to allow the bingo wagering to count, (which they should, btw) they would at least recognize that the delay in me being able to make the final withdrawal was their fault, and they should let me to a withdrawal after the 30 days.

But forget about it, it won't work, these people are dishonest and will make any excuse to prevent you from getting your winnings! I realized that then. I'm pretty sure that even if I had made the third withdrawal before the 30 days period, they would have found another excuse not to pay my balance. I've actually read a few similar stories online, where they made up some weird rule to void a player's winnings. It's no wonder these sites have no credible license or accreditation authority.

Please take note of this and spread this information if you can!

Bruno.

[Simmo!]

I'm not sure how you stand on wagering requirements (video poker is often excluded from bonus wagering) but the 30 day rule combined with the inabaility to deposit while ove a certain balance sounds like possibly flawed terms.

Therefore, I would suggest you submit a Pitch A Bitch (PAB) to see if Max can help you.

[Pinababy69]

It's a bit dated, but there was a warning issued against these guys back in 2008, for non payment, and for no withdrawal method for EU players. Also non responsiveness, stalling, etc.

http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/...-lousy-cs.html

And....this thread might be of particular interest to the OP. Very similar issue re: non payment of winnings, and bonus playthrough issues.

http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/...ingoville.html

It is really too bad that more players don't do some research ie. a cursory search for past issues, BEFORE they start playing.

Best of luck to you phx...although with a warning issued against them, I wouldn't hold my breath.

[HadEnouth]

file a lawsuit against them for theft of your money.

What makes these people think they above the law, Remind them you are protected by the law and they cant refuse to give your money, it is legally yours, Take screen shots of everything. And go see a lawyer. There T&C don't put them above the law, The money is yours and theft is theft. So take them to court.

[Pinababy69]

file a lawsuit against them for theft of your money.

What makes these people think they above the law, Remind them you are protected by the law and they cant refuse to give your money, it is legally yours, Take screen shots of everything. And go see a lawyer. There T&C don't put them above the law, The money is yours and theft is theft. So take them to court.

That would be great if it were feasible. But where do you file the suit, as in what country? Where are these clowns even located? I see that you are in the UK, and I'm guessing that the OP is also in the UK. No idea where Bingoville is located....probably Costa Rica or some other rinky dink jurisdiction. So exactly how do you get them into court? And which court? IF they are located somewhere that actually required a license to operate, you "may" be able to lodge a dispute/complaint with their regulator. But again, chances are that their servers/offices/staff operate from somewhere that requires zero regulation.

This is why it's so important for people to check on these places before they play. Sad, but true.

[aodat2]

I might have no idea on which bonus you took and etc. But if it was me, I would have just told them to keep the "BONUS" for themselves and give me back all the CASH balance on the account.

You could try this with them and their support. I'm not too sure if they will accept that and give you back your money or not but it is worth a try. At least try to get back the CASH balance in your account. Its better than NOTHING at all.

[phx]

It's a bit dated, but there was a warning issued against these guys back in 2008, for non payment, and for no withdrawal method for EU players. Also non responsiveness, stalling, etc.

http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/...-lousy-cs.html

And....this thread might be of particular interest to the OP. Very similar issue re: non payment of winnings, and bonus playthrough issues.

http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/...ingoville.html

It is really too bad that more players don't do some research ie. a cursory search for past issues, BEFORE they start playing.

Best of luck to you phx...although with a warning issued against them, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Yeah, I had found those already... but it was after this problem with Bingoville, not before, unfortunately. I was usually a bit more lenient with bingo sites than casino ones, and this site didn't look shady (ugly webpages like some sites have). But now I realized my mistake the hard way.

That would be great if it were feasible. But where do you file the suit, as in what country? Where are these clowns even located? I see that you are in the UK, and I'm guessing that the OP is also in the UK. No idea where Bingoville is located....probably Costa Rica or some other rinky dink jurisdiction. So exactly how do you get them into court? And which court? IF they are located somewhere that actually required a license to operate, you "may" be able to lodge a dispute/complaint with their regulator. But again, chances are that their servers/offices/staff operate from somewhere that requires zero regulation.

This is why it's so important for people to check on these places before they play. Sad, but true.

Yeah, I agree going through the law would not be feasible. From what I've googled, they are owned by Savinet Enterprises Limited, and are based in Cyprus. They don't seem to be licensed by a credible gambling authority, like the Alderney Gambling Control Comission, Gaming Authority of Malta, the UK Gambling Comission, etc.. If they were, I would have complained to them already. (I'm not even sure Cyprus has one such official authority)

[phx]

I'm not sure how you stand on wagering requirements (video poker is often excluded from bonus wagering) but the 30 day rule combined with the inabaility to deposit while ove a certain balance sounds like possibly flawed terms.

Therefore, I would suggest you submit a Pitch A Bitch (PAB) to see if Max can help you.

Video Poker does count, it says so here: http://www.bingoville.com/paasbvl/bv...ction=cashouts

Curiously, many of those FAQ pages also state: "Please note: All accounts with no deposit in excess of 30 days will have all balances removed and any winnings voided. Once removed these funds cannot be returned." which is completely retarded and roguish. I bet they use this, together with inconsistent and and shady Wagering Requirements rules and slow/ineffectual help desk responses, to delay people from withdrawing their winnings, until they pass that 30 day period.

Note: they haven't removed by balance, even though it's passed several months already, but that's likely because they already found an excuse to not pay me the money.

Interesting the suggestion to submit a PAB. I didn't think Max handled bingo sites as well as casino ones (even though most of what I played in Bingoville was casino games), but it seems they do. I might do that, even though (after reading the FAQ) they advise not to post the complaint publicly...

In any case, one thing I'm trying to determine now is the responsibility and culpability of the rest of the network. It wont matter much to complain about Bingoville.com if they can latter just drop the site, and keep use other sites from the same network. I need to investigate this a bit more.

[Simmo!]

Interesting the suggestion to submit a PAB. I didn't think Max handled bingo sites as well as casino ones (even though most of what I played in Bingoville was casino games), but it seems they do. I might do that, even though (after reading the FAQ) they advise not to post the complaint publicly...

I'd do it anyway and just not post 'til its been through the mill. It helps validate the claim, clarifies the situation and decision making processes and hopefully gives Casinomeister enough information to make a relevant statement on Bingoville for other players.

[vinylweatherman]

Video Poker does count, it says so here: http://www.bingoville.com/paasbvl/bv...ction=cashouts

Curiously, many of those FAQ pages also state: "Please note: All accounts with no deposit in excess of 30 days will have all balances removed and any winnings voided. Once removed these funds cannot be returned." which is completely retarded and roguish. I bet they use this, together with inconsistent and and shady Wagering Requirements rules and slow/ineffectual help desk responses, to delay people from withdrawing their winnings, until they pass that 30 day period.

Note: they haven't removed by balance, even though it's passed several months already, but that's likely because they already found an excuse to not pay me the money.

Interesting the suggestion to submit a PAB. I didn't think Max handled bingo sites as well as casino ones (even though most of what I played in Bingoville was casino games), but it seems they do. I might do that, even though (after reading the FAQ) they advise not to post the complaint publicly...

In any case, one thing I'm trying to determine now is the responsibility and culpability of the rest of the network. It wont matter much to complain about Bingoville.com if they can latter just drop the site, and keep use other sites from the same network. I need to investigate this a bit more.

On it's own pretty harsh, but they have rigged the system to FORCE players like yourself to trip up on this rule. You DID comply initially, but they kept on changing the goalposts each time you met a requirement CS gave you so that you could withdraw. Once they had strung you along for 30 days like this, they then pull out this "30 day rule" to deny withdrawals. They also make it IMPOSSIBLE for winners to keep their accounts active during this time by preventing further deposits from being made UNLESS you lose nearly all those winnings first.

It seems odd that a BINGO site offers a bonus that REQUIRES the BINGO player to wager in the CASINO as well as bingo. Bingo players join to play BINGO. If they wanted to play casino games they would join a CASINO surely. The casino games seen on bingo sites are only there "for the interval", and these are pretty short with online bingo (yes, I AM speaking from some experience of online bingo).