Question Casino wants open access to my Credit Card

I have received the following document which is to be signed and returned as a condition for permitting me to withdraw winnings from my account. I am particularly concerned about "services rendered".

Am I being over cautious and what, if any action should I take. What possible reason could any casino have for wanting "unlimited" access to mine or any persons credit card.

Thanks
Mac

PS: I am well aware that the document is a "toothless tiger" but the reason behind it is what puzzles me.

...............................................................................................................................................

Card Authorization Document


25 November 2015



I, my name certify that the electronic media record of my transactions held by Vegas Partner Lounge, and its casinos, shall be used without limitation to verify and/or resolve any dispute(s) I may have with my registered financial account(s).

Please accept this document as authorization for Vegas Partner Lounge and its processing entities to debit the below listed credit card(s) for services rendered and continue such authorization until I notify Vegas Partner Lounge and my bank otherwise.

I acknowledge that I have read all the information contained in the Vegas Partner Lounge Terms & Conditions and agree to abide by all the rules, regulations, conditions and agreements therein.




Registered Cards:

4564xxx4013 Registered Date: 2015-10-12



__________________________________
(Full Name)

Card Authorization Document

Dear Player


The reason we require the Card Authorization document is to make sure that the card belongs to you and you have made the deposits with the casino. The only details that are shown in this document is the first and last four numbers on the Credit card. please note that all information provided to us is confidential and the email requesting the document state that the middle numbers on the card must be blocked out.

Please see terms and condition in the following link ;

“All cash-ins will be subject to audit before being processed. The Player will have to provide Vegas Partner Lounge with a copy of proof of identity, a recent utility bill not older than 3 months that reflects the Player's address details, copies of the front and back of all registered credit cards at the Casino, an approval signed purchase history and/or other appropriate documentation when withdrawing credits. The proof of identity must exactly match the registered name and surname of the Casino account. Failure to provide the necessary documentation after it has been requested, or the submission of fraudulent documentation, means that the Player's Casino account will be locked and all winnings and/or cash-in will be Void and/or any cash-ins will be token refunded to the Player's Casino account. Any amount less than $/£/€50 will not be cashed out, and will be credited back to the Player's Casino account.”


Regards
Warrick
Casino Complaints Manager

VPL said:

Dear Player


The reason we require the Card Authorization document is to make sure that the card belongs to you and you have made the deposits with the casino. The only details that are shown in this document is the first and last four numbers on the Credit card. please note that all information provided to us is confidential and the email requesting the document state that the middle numbers on the card must be blocked out.

Please see terms and condition in the following link ;

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

“All cash-ins will be subject to audit before being processed. The Player will have to provide Vegas Partner Lounge with a copy of proof of identity, a recent utility bill not older than 3 months that reflects the Player's address details, copies of the front and back of all registered credit cards at the Casino, an approval signed purchase history and/or other appropriate documentation when withdrawing credits. The proof of identity must exactly match the registered name and surname of the Casino account. Failure to provide the necessary documentation after it has been requested, or the submission of fraudulent documentation, means that the Player's Casino account will be locked and all winnings and/or cash-in will be Void and/or any cash-ins will be token refunded to the Player's Casino account. Any amount less than $/£/€50 will not be cashed out, and will be credited back to the Player's Casino account.”


Regards
Warrick
Casino Complaints Manager

Click to expand...

I had one of these, and the problem in this case might be the wording. It's not at all clear that this is simply a confirmation that PAST deposits as recorded have been made by the player and true cardholder, and the "open ended" wording could be construed as meaning that the casino can simply debit future money from the card as and when it sees fit, rather than as a result of the player having used the deposit function in casino banking to give authorisation for future deposits.

Not all players are lawyers, but many are a little suspicious of agreeing to things they don't really understand, and don't normally have a lawyer at their beck and call to explain documents such as this.

This form is "toothless" in the fact that it's only going to be of use if a casino decides to challenge a fraudulent player's chargeback attempt, or sue them in court for the money should they lie to their bank in order to effect the chargeback.

Such a form WOULD be of value in a fully regulated market such as the UK, and a few dodgy players have found themselves in front of a UK judge for pulling a fast one on a UK licenced brand. Australia is a different matter though, as strictly speaking offshore casinos cannot take money from players there, so it's unlikely that if an Aussie player disregarded having signed such a form and went ahead with a chargeback anyway, the casino would defend the action with the bank or pursue the player in the courts. This is probably why chargeback fraud is such an issue in the industry, and why options for fighting back are severely limited for most jurisdictions.

Thank you for a very well written response and explanation. You have underwritten what my many years in business and as a company director was telling me. Which, of course, is why I bridled in the first place.

At least one online casino, not sure whether I should name or not, is now registered with the Australian Corporate Regulator (ASIC) and monies are directed to that company. I believe the sense of security that offers is more cosmetic than actual but is a very small step in the right direction.

I hasten to add that the casino itself is not registered in Australia which makes for an interesting paper trail.

We now have a Prime Minister who made a tidy fortune from IT so perhaps it is the right time to be changing the political underpinning of online gaming in Australia. But believe me we have some very immovable objects (politicians) in that regard but the latest move to do something serious about the loss of revenue (off shore company tax) may just be enough to stir some action.

Again my thanks.

Mac