Hello all. I signed up for Powerbet casino at the recommendation of a few people here because of their good payment records in the past - this was on November 8th. I took the WINBIG1 bonus and lost it pretty quickly, but then had good luck with a larger bonus that they happened to be offering that week. I had the good fortune to get the balance to about $15,000 and cleared the wagering requirements.
After some other play and so forth, I got bored and initiated a withdrawal. They wanted a "faxback" form and other documents to prove my identity (silly if you ask me), but I eventually got around to getting them faxed and scanned over to them. They then took quite a long time to pay me, and when I checked my NETeller account on January 4th, I saw a payment for $2300. However, all my withdrawals were for $2500. I asked what the deal was, they took days to respond, and then responded with this:
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Dear Customer,
Thank you for contacting the Casino Support Team.
Your deposits have been refunded into your neteller account. You are under the legal gambling age for Calinfornia (21). Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Please feel free to contact our 24/7 Support Team if you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Chris
Casino Support Agent
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Now, I have attempted to play at other casinos where they don't allow 21 year old players, and they simply just stop you from signing up - which seems like the right thing to do. However, I did not lie on the signup form, and Powerbet knowingly allowed me to play at their site while I was under 21 years old. I am over 18 years old, and I'm allowed to play in many casinos here in California, so I did not violate their Terms and conditions about the age restriction.
Furthermore, please see this website proving that the minimum age of gambling is indeed 18 years of age with the exception of casinos that offer alcohol (which Powerbet doesn't, at least not to my knowledge):
Other relevant quotes:
All that aside, they basically accepted my wagers knowing that I was underaged, and would not pay me a dime if I won - but I bet that they wouldn't refund my losses had I lost, right!?
Casinomeister, please do something about this. I have emailed their support and will file a PAB as well as RTG dispute (is Montana still the place to go?) and contact the casino support person on the board, Oliver Curran.
After some other play and so forth, I got bored and initiated a withdrawal. They wanted a "faxback" form and other documents to prove my identity (silly if you ask me), but I eventually got around to getting them faxed and scanned over to them. They then took quite a long time to pay me, and when I checked my NETeller account on January 4th, I saw a payment for $2300. However, all my withdrawals were for $2500. I asked what the deal was, they took days to respond, and then responded with this:
------------------
Dear Customer,
Thank you for contacting the Casino Support Team.
Your deposits have been refunded into your neteller account. You are under the legal gambling age for Calinfornia (21). Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Please feel free to contact our 24/7 Support Team if you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Chris
Casino Support Agent
-------------------
Now, I have attempted to play at other casinos where they don't allow 21 year old players, and they simply just stop you from signing up - which seems like the right thing to do. However, I did not lie on the signup form, and Powerbet knowingly allowed me to play at their site while I was under 21 years old. I am over 18 years old, and I'm allowed to play in many casinos here in California, so I did not violate their Terms and conditions about the age restriction.
Furthermore, please see this website proving that the minimum age of gambling is indeed 18 years of age with the exception of casinos that offer alcohol (which Powerbet doesn't, at least not to my knowledge):
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Casinos: On March 7, 2000, voters approved Proposition 1A, amending the State Constitution, to allow federally recognized Indian tribes to have a monopoly on full casinos (banking card games, like blackjack, and all forms of slot machines). Gov. Gray Davis signed a model compact with a majority of the states 100+ tribes, which allows 18 year-olds to gamble in Indian casinos. Patrons have to be over 21 only if alcohol is served at the gaming tables and slot machines.
Other relevant quotes:
No tickets or shares in Lottery Games shall be sold to persons under the age of 18 years.
"No prize shall be paid to any person under the age of 18 years." Id. at 8880.32.
All that aside, they basically accepted my wagers knowing that I was underaged, and would not pay me a dime if I won - but I bet that they wouldn't refund my losses had I lost, right!?
Casinomeister, please do something about this. I have emailed their support and will file a PAB as well as RTG dispute (is Montana still the place to go?) and contact the casino support person on the board, Oliver Curran.