A little abrupt...

[Dipity]

Yeah, see my 32 red post above, I just heard from them. Would've been nice if All Jackpots had been clearer though - the way they word the email is that it's them closing the account, not due to their hand being forced or anything, if you see what I mean!

I've just spoken to live chat @ 32 red, and yes, it is Microgaming.

[bsilva028]

im beginning to get worried, Portugal does many rules close to the spanish lately,

hopefully i wait that the goverment dont remember to do the same thing here

[vinylweatherman]

Word I have is that MGS is blocking Spanish IPs as of yesterday. The operators are only reacting to this move, so it's unfair to beat them up for it. I'm sure it's a surprise to them just like it is for you.

Unless the operator has a license from the Spanish regulator, it's adios amigos.

Why didn't MGS give operators advance warning of this implementation. It has made all MGS operators look bad as far as the Spanish player is concerned, and show the rest of us how little regard MGS have for their CUSTOMERS!

MGS knew damn well this was in the works, and I doubt very much that they had their "hand forced" into making a decision like this at no notice. It would have taken some time to set up a block list covering Spanish IPs, and make it flexible enough to cater for those MGS casinos that have, or end up getting, a Spanish license.


It is poor that players have to second guess when such moves are going to happen because the software provider wants absolute secrecy until the plug is pulled. Such moves are becoming widespread, and this is NOT merely an issue for the Spanish player to "suck up", it will end up affecting many of us in due course as our countries move towards a tighter regulatory framework.

As players, we can no longer trust MGS and their operators to give us reasonable notice, which leaves us with two options. Carry on playing till the bitter end, or take it upon ourselves to uninstall, or even close our accounts, when it appears a date for change has been set. This will hurt operators pretty severely, as they will lose players long before they really have to. Had Spanish players followed this strategy, they would have quit long ago, and operators would not have had the benefit of their patronage at all this year.

MGS seem to have used an arbitrary date, neither the original nor the new implementation date set by the Spanish government. Even if players were watching developments, and planning to quit of their own accord just before the date set, they would have been caught out yesterday.

If MGS carry on with this policy, they will end up shutting down virtually every country in the world, even the UK. Long before this, they will see another mass exodus of operators who do not like to have their players arbitrarily shout out like this with them having to take the blame. Operators bailed out of MGS when the move to level 11 was announced, and those that trusted MGS and stayed with level 11 got burned along with their players when level 11 lost their nerve and pulled out almost overnight.

Operators are now left with the chaos of sorting out half finished promotions, MPV tournaments, etc, which their Spanish players took part in. This is not simply a matter of sending players their cash balances, as many will want compensation for being arbitrarily thrown out mid way through contests. It will be even worse if this has happened to Spanish poker players using the MGS poker network who were in the middle of "big money" tournaments.


How can a company such as MGS handle things so badly

[Dipity]

It will be even worse if this has happened to Spanish poker players using the MGS poker network who were in the middle of "big money" tournaments.


How can a company such as MGS handle things so badly

It's funny you should say that...8pm tonight I recieved this from NordicBet - I dunno who they use as their poker software supplier but:

We're sorry to say that from Midnight tonight we will be unable to provide our Poker products to players in Spain. This is a result of changes to the law in the Spanish market, which are beyond our control. You will still be able to access and play on our other gaming products until the 1st of March. Any withdrawals you wish to make will be processed as usual during this time.

[SAunnyS72]

I agree that they probably didn't even know till the last moment.... BUT... And this is the sad part ... Why wouldn't you send a nice email to your customers saying a big thank you for your patronage ... It takes only a few words and the same amount of time sending the mass email to the Spanish players...

The truth is ( a bit harsh I know) .... Once they know they can't make anymore $$$$$ out of you ,you are rubbish to them.

Unfortunately, that is terrible CS practice if you ask me because if the laws are changed in the future
(which they are most of the time) ... Those same clients would consider you (casino) rubbish ..ha!

I feel for you Dipity and I am sorry that you won't be able to play. I would go outa my brain if that was the case ... Is it all casinos across the board ?

[chuchu59]

Yeah, see my 32 red post above, I just heard from them. Would've been nice if All Jackpots had been clearer though - the way they word the email is that it's them closing the account, not due to their hand being forced or anything, if you see what I mean!

I've just spoken to live chat @ 32 red, and yes, it is Microgaming.

They can treat you like trash and were rude in breaking the news to you the way they did yet your thread title was mild. Only a 'little' abrupt?

[vinylweatherman]

It's funny you should say that...8pm tonight I recieved this from NordicBet - I dunno who they use as their poker software supplier but:

So, this Spanish law comes in Midnight tonight for Poker, but not till the 1st March for casino games.


In my opinion - BULLSHIT!

It stinks of operators knowing well in advance, but rather than telling players in good time, which might lead them to quit right away, rather than play right up to the deadline, they leave it right to the last minute when they know the software supplier is about to pull the plug, and THEN tell them they are being thrown out.

The same happened in some cases with US players, with operators knowing in advance that they had to ditch them, but in the mean time trying to squeeze every last dollar out of them by giving them no cause to believe they were about to be closed out until the bitter end. In many cases, US players went to bed knowing nothing, and woke up the next day with the deed done, and their money sealed behind an account block.

It seems a mass exit from Spain is on the cards, and players are getting next to no notice, and the dates vary, and are not tied to any actual date of implementation of this law. Those casinos still accepting play from Spanish players are probably the ones who are holding off making an announcement till the last minute, but expect the plug to be pulled within days. It may even happen tonight without notice, following MGS's lead yesterday.

Only those operations that already have a Spanish license are likely to stick around, along with all the rogue operators who have no intention of leaving any market just because regulation has been brought in, and who say "good luck to the authorities putting a stop to us". Spanish players need to be very careful about where they move their play to, and should start looking now, closing out accounts likely to be pulled in their own time, rather than being forced out by the operator.

I expect the same will happen in other countries that set specific laws for regulation via the need for secondary licensing. The good casinos will bail in the nick of time, and the rogues will have "party time" whilst licenses are applied for and granted, and reputable operators enter the market again under the new regime.

[SAunnyS72]

Crazy scenario ... But... What happens if the accounts close at 12am... You get a feature at 11:50 pm... Win a truckload... But the feature just finishes at 12:01 ... Do you still get paid ? ... How does withdrawals work once your account is closed ???

[max1mike]

sorry spain. welcome to the U.S.

[footdr]

Don't you hate it when you get emails offering bonuses from casinos that don't allow your country to play, so you waste your time attempting to download for nothing. Or offers from casinos you already have an account at and after downloading the casino you find the offer was for new players only? (That is a sure way for me to decide not to play there again)

How about when you get snail mail offers with CD enclosed and the offer seems to be for you and then you download the disc and try to claim the bonus only to find it is only for new players, they knew you had an account so I think this trickery to get you to make a deposit.