Vista Gaming no longer accepting UK customers

[colinsunderland]

Not sure whats happened here, but thought I would post a heads up for anyone who uses them, Vegas Crest is possibly the best known brand

Due to a change in company policy and local regulations, we will no longer be able to accept players who are resident from the United Kingdom.

Starting on July 20th 2016, no more registrations from UK players are accepted on Vista Gaming websites and registered players who reside in the UK are no longer able to deposit funds into their accounts.

Players with balances will be authorised to play or withdraw these balances between now and August 1st at which point every UK player account on Vista Gaming properties will be disabled.

 

[vinylweatherman]

Did they ever have a UK license, or is this a case of them deciding it's getting "too hot to handle" accepting UK bets without one?

 

[Nicola]

No mention of any of their brands on the Gambling Commission web site or bulletins. In fact I can't see a license from anyone on the Vegas Crest site.

Looks like they have been accepting UK customers on the side. Tut tut.

 

[colinsunderland]

Did they ever have a UK license, or is this a case of them deciding it's getting "too hot to handle" accepting UK bets without one?

From what I gather they haven't held one since 2014
Very naughty

Out of interest, we all know you need a UKGC license to operate in the UK (or allow UK players to play) but what happens if you just say, stuff it and let UK players play, like these did? How can the UKGC stop anyone playing there?

 

[dunover]

From what I gather they haven't held one since 2014
Very naughty

Out of interest, we all know you need a UKGC license to operate in the UK (or allow UK players to play) but what happens if you just say, stuff it and let UK players play, like these did? How can the UKGC stop anyone playing there?

They can't.

This is why it's possible to have UK players getting ripped-off at those Cup-o'-cocoa sites that were offering bent Netent software.

The only effective way would be for payment providers to liaise with the UKGC to stop them taking payments. But with the commissions Neteller etc. get they don't give a flying one.

 

[vinylweatherman]

From what I gather they haven't held one since 2014
Very naughty

Out of interest, we all know you need a UKGC license to operate in the UK (or allow UK players to play) but what happens if you just say, stuff it and let UK players play, like these did? How can the UKGC stop anyone playing there?

At present, pressure is applied via the software supplier. Software also needs a UK license, and if a software supplier permits it's product to be offered to UK players by unlicensed operators they risk having their software supplier license sanctioned or terminated. Hence casinos offering unlicensed service to UK players have software that isn't UK licensed, and is unlikely to be, or of course, counterfeit software.

It turns out Neteller ARE blocking transactions from UK customers to casinos not on it's list of UK licensed casinos. Players get their deposit declined with a Neteller error message. This has not yet spread to cards, and probably won't unless pressure is put on the banks. However, the rogues will simply do what US facing casinos have been doing since 2006, and it will be hard for banks to prevent players from depositing at unlicensed casinos.

The UKGC could use legal action, but this would only be effective if the rogue casino was daft enough to be operating from a country that had the right agreement with the UK. Most operate from places like Costa Rica or Curacao, well beyond the reach of UKGC enforcement.

One other weapon is the one already in use against sites like Pirate Bay, using the courts to force ISPs to block access to unlicensed casino websites from within the UK.

So far, it seems that software providers are using their clout to keep casinos in line, because they too could face problems, not just the rogue casino, in offering the games to UK players without the required licenses.

So far, it seems not a single RTG casino, at least not a reputable one, will risk taking UK players. Mainly this is because RTG is not licensed as a software, but it may be a sign that RTG have hopes it can be in the future, so won't allow operators to flout the UK laws.

 

[brianmon]

There's actually a quite reputable, and CM accredited casino. who have no UKGC license. But still allow UK players to play.

I play there regularly

MGS games are blocked. But all the other games are available - NetEnt, Yggdasil, Play'n Go, etc,
Also, Neteller is blocked, but all other methods are accepted

I wonder if their CM accredited status should be affected by this ?

 

[colinsunderland]

There's actually a quite reputable, and CM accredited casino. who have no UKGC license. But still allow UK players to play.

I play there regularly

MGS games are blocked. But all the other games are available - NetEnt, Yggdasil, Play'n Go, etc,
Also, Neteller is blocked, but all other methods are accepted

I wonder if their CM accredited status should be affected by this ?

Personally i think it should. If they are happy to break the law, then I would suggest they wouldn't care about non payment or any other issues players might have.

 

[vinylweatherman]

There's actually a quite reputable, and CM accredited casino. who have no UKGC license. But still allow UK players to play.

I play there regularly

MGS games are blocked. But all the other games are available - NetEnt, Yggdasil, Play'n Go, etc,
Also, Neteller is blocked, but all other methods are accepted

I wonder if their CM accredited status should be affected by this ?

An orderly retreat by UK players is advised as eventually things will get too hot for them, and they may do the overnight no notice lockout of UK players.