A long story that I will try to keep brief.
I am currently supporting a compulsive gambler, many, many thousands of pounds have been lost.
After staying clear for many months (I installed gamblock) my friend succumbed to the urge one Saturday evening and spent all night playing. The next morning she rang and asked for her account to be closed, she was asked why and told the operator that she was a compulsive gambler. He told her the account would be closed within a couple of hours.
Shortly after this she then received a phone call from her VIP manager. He said we dont want you to close your account, you are a very good player, but just havent been able to win and cash out as we have not had your documents. Send me copies of your documents and I will put 200 into your account straight away. We want you to win and you can win, and if you send the documents you will be able to cash out easily.
She said she couldnt copy and send her documents, as she didnt have a scanner. He told her that he would explain how she could do it with a digital camera and would stay on the line explaining the process until she had done so.
She kept stating that all she wanted to do was close my account, as she was a compulsive gambler, but he urged her to send him the documents and encouraged her to play with the 200. Being a compulsive gambler, her resolve was weak, instead of being able to be firm and insist he closed her account, she allowed him to persuade her to continue gambling. Since that time she has been back to the casino and lost several more thousand pounds.
I have contacted the casino to ask to speak to someone in authority, but all I got back was an email as follows (identifiers have been removed):-
Thank you for having contacted us at xxx. I have received your email and I sympathize with your situation, I wish to inform you that your xxxx account has now been closed and disabled, as per your request.
xxxx takes the issue of responsible gaming very seriously and is committed to providing a responsible gaming environment to all our players.
There are many organizations that can provide support and assistance to individuals who develop a problem with gambling. If you feel this has happened to you we recommend visiting the Gamblers Anonymous UK website by clicking here. I believe that they are much better equipped to handle your situation than we ever could be!
Scratching Cards are fun. However, if you have found yourself with a compulsive gambling problem please seek professional help.
xxxx is committed to CARE - Customers Are Really Everything.
If you have any questions or concerns, we are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Please do not hesitate to contact the xxxx Team.
I have emailed back stating that I wish to speak to someone in authority and that I have been in touch with the Lotteries and Gaming Authority in Malta and looking at some of the conditions for their licence it appears that they have contravened them.
What else can I do?
Any help or advise would be much appreciated.
I am currently supporting a compulsive gambler, many, many thousands of pounds have been lost.
After staying clear for many months (I installed gamblock) my friend succumbed to the urge one Saturday evening and spent all night playing. The next morning she rang and asked for her account to be closed, she was asked why and told the operator that she was a compulsive gambler. He told her the account would be closed within a couple of hours.
Shortly after this she then received a phone call from her VIP manager. He said we dont want you to close your account, you are a very good player, but just havent been able to win and cash out as we have not had your documents. Send me copies of your documents and I will put 200 into your account straight away. We want you to win and you can win, and if you send the documents you will be able to cash out easily.
She said she couldnt copy and send her documents, as she didnt have a scanner. He told her that he would explain how she could do it with a digital camera and would stay on the line explaining the process until she had done so.
She kept stating that all she wanted to do was close my account, as she was a compulsive gambler, but he urged her to send him the documents and encouraged her to play with the 200. Being a compulsive gambler, her resolve was weak, instead of being able to be firm and insist he closed her account, she allowed him to persuade her to continue gambling. Since that time she has been back to the casino and lost several more thousand pounds.
I have contacted the casino to ask to speak to someone in authority, but all I got back was an email as follows (identifiers have been removed):-
Thank you for having contacted us at xxx. I have received your email and I sympathize with your situation, I wish to inform you that your xxxx account has now been closed and disabled, as per your request.
xxxx takes the issue of responsible gaming very seriously and is committed to providing a responsible gaming environment to all our players.
There are many organizations that can provide support and assistance to individuals who develop a problem with gambling. If you feel this has happened to you we recommend visiting the Gamblers Anonymous UK website by clicking here. I believe that they are much better equipped to handle your situation than we ever could be!
Scratching Cards are fun. However, if you have found yourself with a compulsive gambling problem please seek professional help.
xxxx is committed to CARE - Customers Are Really Everything.
If you have any questions or concerns, we are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Please do not hesitate to contact the xxxx Team.
I have emailed back stating that I wish to speak to someone in authority and that I have been in touch with the Lotteries and Gaming Authority in Malta and looking at some of the conditions for their licence it appears that they have contravened them.
What else can I do?
Any help or advise would be much appreciated.