Party Gaming/Poker

[PokerBandit1]

Hi this is my first post, just wanted to share a recent experience with others who may fall into the same trap as me.

I recently deposited $500 into my Party account, the account was created about 2 years ago.

I played a little Blackjack and Poker but then decided my deposit could be better used elsewhere, I had lost about $18. I requested a withdrawal and went to bed. Next morning I got an email saying my deposit had been reversed, it seems Party have changed their rules about 4 months ago, to withdraw a deposit you now have a to accumulate partypoints to the value of 15% of your deposit before you can take your money back out, so I need to make 75 partypoints.

I argued for a while with Customer Support who were very unsympathetic, basically their view was my Party account isn't a bank account, the money was deposited for a purpose and I am expected to play their games once I have deposited.

In the end I 3-tabled playing poker at the $1 LIMIT until I had made the 75 points but I won't play there again!

[Slotster!]

Are you sure there's not more to it than that?

What you're saying is that if you deposit money at Party (taking no bonuses), and then decide to withdraw - they won't let you unless you have wagered a certain amount?

If that's the case, it's scandalous, deserves instant rogueing - and is possibly illegal.

I hope that isn't the case.

[fraserwpsr540]

Are you sure there's not more to it than that?

There really isn't. I've had the same message from them. And I've yet to see it anywhere in their terms and conditions. Only in emails after trying to cashout (and having it disallowed because not enough points have been earned). Never heard of anything like this before anywhere.

EDIT : Here's the main text of an email I was sent on Sep 3rd 2007 :

"Thank you for contacting us.

With reference to your email, we would like to inform that as per policy
of the site, all our players are required to earn a minimum of 15% of
the deposit amount in party points before requesting for cash out.

Ex: if you have deposited $100, you are expected to earn 15 points.

Please feel free to contact us if you need any further assistance.

We hope you understand that these security measures are taken in the
best interest of the players at our site.

We thank you for your co-operation in this regard."

[Slotster!]

There really isn't. I've had the same message from them. And I've yet to see it anywhere in their terms and conditions. Only in emails after trying to cashout (and having it disallowed because not enough points have been earned). Never heard of anything like this before anywhere.

Is it anything to do with the deposit method? Maybe they're trying to recoup their deposit charges? Even if that's the case, it's entirely unacceptable.

Casinomeister - You heard about this?

A minimum 'wager' before you can withdraw your own money!?!?

Like I say, if there's nothing more to it, that's scandalous.

EDIT:

Ah, cheers for posting the email. The vague use of the term "security measures" means they'll no doubt use some fuzzy reasoning that it's to stop "money laundering" or something...

I'm not sure the Casinomeister is accepting PAB's for non-accredited casino's, but Party are a BIG BIG name in this business - and this deserves publicity...

[casinosyn]

This is from the Party Casino terms and conditions. It should only apply to someone giving you money. I can't see how they can do this to your own deposits. (Then again this is Party your talking about)

"Before you are able to cash out monies deposited by you or received by way of Inter-Account Transfer or Gift Certificate you must first have earned Standard Player Points with such monies (excluding any bonus points awarded) greater than or equal to15% of the amount received in USD (“Release Requirements”)."

Taken from section 10 of Party Casinos Terms, this is not shown in Party Casinos terms

[casinosyn]

Hmmm.... Just read the terms and my post again myself... Looks like I didn't read it properly last night in my Tipsyness . Anyway... It is shown in Party Casino's terms under section 10. I thought by law (UK anyway) you had to have a cooling off period. Will give them an even wider berth now.

[fraserwpsr540]

Did anyone else have an opinion on this? I still think it's outrageous that they impose a 'wagering requirement' before cashout on any deposit.

Yes, it is in the terms and conditions, but surely that doesn't make it right.

What about the gambler who gets a big hit early on and wants to walk away with their cash? Not at Party you don't! Got to wager enough to earn PartyPoints to cash out!

This should be a much bigger deal than it has been in my opinion.

[lots0]

The idea that the casino wants people to wager a set amount before withdrawing is totally understandable from a business perspective.

However, hiding the information about the 15% requirement way down deep in the T&C's is in my opinion a very stupid way for the casino to handle this issue.

This information should be put in the players face before the deposit is made (this info should be on the deposit page) and the player should have to check a box or some other acknowledgment should have to be made by the player they understand the 15% requirement before the deposit would be accepted.

(ya, I know the players should read the T&C's carefully before depositing or playing. But most players don't read the T&C's until they have a problem.)

IMO, this is just a bad way to carry out a business policy, doing things this way is going to hurt the casino with players in the long run, if they aren't up front about the 15% requirement.

I'm sure we'll be hearing from more players about this, if the casino does not change the way it carries out this policy.

[casinosyn]

I asked Alderney about this as I had thought it a bit strange.. Seems like they don't mind either. I understand the Money laundering rules but this is still a bit stupid.. If I were to launder money through a casino I would not be too bothered about loosing 15% of it if the sums where large enough.. This is just a way to try and keep peoples money after the tumble they had on the stock market. They have been screwing a lot of affiliates recently as well (me included!). Here is the response I got from Alderney.

Whilst it may seem odd that people cannot cash out if they have second thoughts there is a very real reason for such a policy to be in place. Such a policy is designed to stop non-transactions with a view to helping in the fight against money-laundering. Criminals could seek to cleanse funds by depositing money onto a casino site and then cashing it out. By putting such a requirement in place Party Casino are attempting to ensure that their site is not used for such a purpose.

I hope this has answered your question.

Kind regards

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission

I closed my Party Account

[legenden1]

Hi this is my first post, just wanted to share a recent experience with others who may fall into the same trap as me.

I recently deposited $500 into my Party account, the account was created about 2 years ago.

I played a little Blackjack and Poker but then decided my deposit could be better used elsewhere, I had lost about $18. I requested a withdrawal and went to bed. Next morning I got an email saying my deposit had been reversed, it seems Party have changed their rules about 4 months ago, to withdraw a deposit you now have a to accumulate partypoints to the value of 15% of your deposit before you can take your money back out, so I need to make 75 partypoints.

I argued for a while with Customer Support who were very unsympathetic, basically their view was my Party account isn't a bank account, the money was deposited for a purpose and I am expected to play their games once I have deposited.

In the end I 3-tabled playing poker at the $1 LIMIT until I had made the 75 points but I won't play there again!

I experienced the exact same thing a couple of weeks ago. Even the same stupid argument that they dont want players to use them as a bank. After giving lame replies by email I called them and convinced them that I wouldn´t tolerate it. They finally agreed to do a one off withdrawal