This is a German problem, not usually a problem with UK bookmakers, but special to Ladbrokes.
'Restricted Territories
- We are unable to open accounts, or process bets or financial transactions, for individuals resident in Germany, Italy, Turkey or the USA.
- We accept only horse racing, greyhound racing, casino and poker bets but not lotto, Balls, or bets on other Games, from those resident in the Netherlands.
- We do not take bets from residents of Hong Kong whilst they are in Hong Kong. However, Hong Kong residents can have an account and deposit money whilst in Hong Kong for use when outwith the territory.'
nb. looking at their site, there are inconsistencies about the list of restricted territories on the games or casino section, but I know it has been a long standing issue, maybe Casinomeister can clarify.
It would seem they only run these checks at WITHDRAWAL, which puts them at risk of breaching their own rules!!!! Even taking a DEPOSIT from a German resident is not permitted, yet it seems that the problems are ocurring AFTER the bets have been taken, processed, and the results added to the account. Only upon WITHDRAWAL does it seem the problems come to light.
In the case of Saltzburg, it's in Austria, so the problem of the blocked account should never have ocurred. For marioking24 though, had an account for a month, yet lives in Germany. Ladbrokes have ALREADY broken their own rule, by accepting the financial transaction that was the first deposit, yet it seems marioking24 has been free to deposit and play for a month, since no check has been done to ensure they are allowed to accept his wagers.
It would be VERY SIMPLE to run such a check. Players have to give their name and address, and Ladbrokes would have known straight away marioking24 was from Germany, and it should have lead to the IMMEDIATE blocking of his ability to make financial transactions through the Ladbrokes banking page. He would no doubt have queried this straight away, and been told that he could not "play for real" on the site.
Now, Ladbrokes, and marioking24 for that matter, have a problem. The first time a withdrawal is requested, the problem will come to light, and all bets taken against the rules, and all financial transactions, will have to be unwound.
I find it odd that ISRAEL is missing from the list of banned territories at Ladbrokes. Israel has passed a law PROHIBITING online gambling, as have Turkey and the USA (both ON the list). Italy and Germany have both TRIED to ban online gambling, but have tried to do this to protect domestic monopolies, so have fallen foul of the EU.
Logically, if Germany is banned, then Israel surely ought to be as well - it's legislation is stonger, and the EU "free trade" argument is irrelevant.
France also tried to ban online gambling outside of French state monopolies, so should be on the list alongside Germany and Italy until the whole EU sorts the issue out.
The Hong Kong clause is the daftest looking of all
China certanly don't approve of online gambling, even in Hong Kong, yet far from banning Hong Kong, Ladbrokes are telling Hong Kong players how to "cheat the system" with respect to Chinese law.
