Reverse Withdrawal Meaning
A Foreword From The Casinomeister Himself:
Aside from documentation, one other key area of cashing out that you should be aware of is the “Reverse Withdrawal” feature. I say “feature”, that’s how it’s sold…in reality, I am not alone in seeing it as a cynical tactic implemented by some of the casino software providers (Cryptologic and Wagerworks exempted), how do we say this diplomatically, “test the player’s resolve”!
Reverse Withdrawal works: when you cash out, your money sits in a “pending” state before the casino accounts department processes it back to you. During this time, which varies from casino to casino, you can log into your casino account and “reverse” the money back into your account to play with. For weak-willed punters, those with time to spare or don’t want to wait for the cashouts, this is tempting.
Some of the Microgaming casinos, however, while having the Reverse “feature” forced on them through no fault of their own, will reduce it to the minimum 1 hour (in fact 0 hours will be available in the new Microgaming casino administration backend by the time you read this!) for you if you ask. Some will also “flush” the money out of this pending pool into the processing queue following a request after each session by you.
But many won’t. With RTG and Playtech software casinos, the casino is unable to reduce the setting in the software, however they are able to take manual control and do the “flush”. It’s just a question of whether they want to! Shop around if this is a feature you don’t care for.
You don’t have to worry about this at Cryptologic based casinos as the cashout process is instant, as it can be with Ladbrokes on the Microgaming platform and ToteSport on the Playtech platform (neither casino accepts US players before you check!), both of whom have implemented their own banking systems which replace, or work with in Tote’s case, the software standard provision.
As a generalization, the “default” reverse times are set as follows: Microgaming casinos have Reverse Periods of between 12 and 48 hours (most are 12 or 24), RTG casinos of between 12 and 36 hours (iNetBet usually quicker), Playtech of 96 hours (some process quicker manually) and Chartwell 12 hours.
What Does “Reverse Withdrawal” Actually Mean?
In the online gambling world, the concept of ‘reverse withdrawal’ is both interesting and somewhat controversial. It’s a feature offered by many online casinos, but understanding what it means and how it works (and why you should ALWAYS avoid it) is vital, especially if you’re thinking of using it.
So, what exactly is a reverse withdrawal? Simply put, it’s an option provided by online casinos that allows you to cancel your withdrawal request after you’ve made it. When you hit a big win and decide to withdraw your funds, these funds enter a ‘pending’ state. If you change your heart or wish to continue playing during this pending period, you can reverse the withdrawal. This means the funds are returned to your casino account, and you can use them immediately on casino games.
The process might sound convenient, but it’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, reverse withdrawals offer flexibility. If you decide to keep playing, you don’t have to redeposit funds. This can seem tempting, but as we’ve seen all too often here at Casinomeister, it can lead to disastrous consequences for players – often causing them to lose their entire withdrawal – and, potentially, even more, if they feel compelled to make a deposit.
It’s important to note that not all online casinos offer this feature, and thankfully, the UGKC – the regulator responsible for online gambling in the UK – has now outlawed reverse withdrawals completely! However, this is far from being the industry standard, and most non-UK casinos still allow you to reverse your withdrawals.
What Is A “Pending Period” At Online Casinos?
‘Pending period’ is a term that frequently pops up in the world of online gambling, usually relating to withdrawals. When you request a withdrawal of your winnings at an online casino, your request isn’t processed immediately. (Some sites offer instant withdrawals, but they’re usually crypto casinos; even then, manual checks are still carried out occasionally.) Instead, a withdrawal you make enters what is known as the ‘pending period.’
This is a time window, usually 24 to 72 hours, during which the casino processes your withdrawal request. During this period, the funds are essentially in a state of limbo – not in your casino account, but not yet in your bank account.
There are a few reasons behind the pending period. On the face of it, casinos claim that it allows them to perform necessary security checks, ensure you have met any wagering bonus requirements, and check that you’re a verified player – above the minimum legal online gambling age and that you aren’t self-excluded.
However, many online casinos started to use pending periods to delay or stall winnings. Some more unethical sites would even send players special bonuses and promotions when their money was ‘pending’ if they reversed their withdrawal. As a result, any casino that takes – let’s say longer than 24 hours – to process a withdrawal will often be seen by many players as deliberately delaying the withdrawal to try and coerce the player into reversing.
How to Reverse a Withdrawal Request
Reversing a withdrawal at an online casino, while not recommended, is a process that varies slightly from one platform to another. Generally, it involves a few common steps. First, you need to access your casino account and navigate to the banking or cashier section. Here, you’ll find your withdrawal request listed under pending transactions.
Most online casinos that allow reverse withdrawals will provide an option to cancel or reverse the withdrawal next to the pending transaction. By clicking on this option, you complete the reversal process. Now, you should know that you can only reverse your withdrawal before the online casino processes your cash out. You can no longer cancel the withdrawal once they’ve sent the funds to your bank, EWallet, or other payment method.
After you confirm you want to reverse your withdrawal, the funds immediately return to your casino account balance, and you can play them immediately. While it may sound simple, we strongly advise against reversing your withdrawals here at Casinomeister. It almost always leads to losses, and just have a quick glance in the Casinomeister forums to see how many players have burned themselves as a result of reversing their cashouts!
Why You Should Never Reverse Your Online Casino Withdrawals
The option to reverse a withdrawal at an online casino might seem like a convenient feature, but it’s a very risky move that, in most cases, ends up with you losing part or all of your original withdrawal. Why?
Well, first and foremost, reversing a withdrawal feeds into the temptation of gambling away your winnings. After all, when you decide to withdraw, it’s usually after careful consideration or following a big win. Reversing this decision on a whim or hoping to win more often leads to the opposite – losing what you initially won. It’s a classic gambler’s dilemma, fueled by the illusion of control and the false belief that a winning streak will continue.
Secondly, reversing withdrawals makes it harder to maintain a clear boundary between winnings and your bankroll. This blurring of lines can lead to problem gambling behaviors, where you end up chasing losses or gambling away money that you can’t afford to lose.
We understand the temptation; you’ve had a nice win, feel you’re the king of the world, and want to win more money. The reality is, however, it doesn’t usually go to plan – and, if you bust your withdrawal, a lot of players feel the need to then recoup that deposit, subsequently depositing more money – and losing even more.
The Psychology Behind Reverse Withdrawals
Reverse withdrawals in the world of online gambling tap into various psychological elements that influence player behavior. The primary psychological factor at play is the idea of loss aversion. When players initiate a withdrawal, they psychologically ‘bank’ their winnings. However, the reverse withdrawal feature presents the possibility of a loss – not of the money itself, but of potential gains. This possibility can trigger a strong emotional response, tempting players to cancel their withdrawal to win even more significant money.
Secondly, the illusion of control. When players can reverse a withdrawal, it gives them a sense of control over their funds and the outcomes of their games. This makes players feel that they have the power to influence the outcome despite the odds being unchanged. It can lead to overconfidence and increased risk-taking, particularly after a win, as the player might believe they are on a ‘lucky streak.’
The concept of instant gratification also plays a significant role. In today’s fast-paced digital world, with apps like TikTok on the rise, we all have an increased ‘need’ for instant gratification. Unfortunately, the reverse withdrawal feature is a tool that allows players to achieve just this; they can access funds to play with immediately rather than waiting for the withdrawal to be processed and transferred to their bank or EWallet.
Reverse Withdrawals and Problem Gambling
The feature of reverse withdrawals in online casinos has a significant and often detrimental link to problem gambling. Problem gambling is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to continue gambling despite the negative impact it may have on one’s life. Reverse withdrawals can make these issues a lot worse, giving players an easy way to continue gambling when they might have otherwise stopped.
The instant access to winnings through reverse withdrawals feeds into impulsive decision-making, a key characteristic of problem gambling. When a player wins, withdrawing these winnings is the logical and often safer choice. However, the availability of reversing this decision appeals to the impulsive nature, tempting players to gamble with money they had initially decided to keep. This can lead to a cycle of chasing losses or trying to win more significantly, which are hallmarks of problem gambling behavior.
Additionally, reverse withdrawals can blur the lines between wins and losses. The ability to easily access winnings for further gambling can make it difficult for players to keep track of their spending and winnings. This is dangerous for problem gamblers, as it can lead to denial about the extent of their losses and an underestimation of the risks they are taking. It becomes easier to lose sight of responsible gambling limits and harder to stick to predetermined budgets or time spent gambling.
The delayed gratification, which is crucial in managing gambling behaviors, is also undermined by reverse withdrawals. Waiting for a withdrawal to process can serve as a cooling-off period, giving players time to reflect on their gambling and potentially reconsider their decisions. By enabling immediate access to funds, reverse withdrawals remove this buffer, and this can be particularly problematic for individuals with gambling addictions, as it prevents them from taking a step back and assessing their behavior.
A Major UKGC Regulatory Change
The UK’s Gambling Commission (UKGC) launched a poll a few years ago. They asked:
“Do you agree with our proposal to permanently ban reverse withdrawals for all consumers?”
The question was asked on the back of the UKGC considering banning UK-licensed casinos from allowing players to reverse their withdrawals. According to the UKGC:
“The majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the proposal to ban reverse withdrawals. Some respondents agreed that there were risks associated with allowing reverse withdrawals but considered the risk was for consumers to manage or that the risks should be managed by restricting the functionality rather than banning it.
Following the consultation, the new requirement RTS14B to ban reverse withdrawal functionality will proceed, and the implementation guidance states that operators should make the process to withdraw funds as frictionless as possible.”
As a result, the UKGC took a significant step; they were the first major online gambling regulator to ban reverse withdrawals completely. It appears to have been one of the most popular regulatory changes they’ve made, with many players very thankful that UK-licensed online casinos could no longer offer reversals.
Withdrawal Lock Function
A withdrawal lock, sometimes referred to as manual flushing in the older online casino world, is a feature that safeguards a player’s withdrawal from being reversed. Essentially, it’s a virtual ‘lock’ that, once pressed, removes the reverse withdrawal function.
Once a player locks their withdrawal, they are unable to reverse it – even if they reach out to the customer support team and ask about their reverse withdrawal options. As you can probably imagine, not all online casino sites offered manual flushing – but those that did were essentially allowing players to not reverse a withdrawal, and this was always seen as a commendable move by the Casinomeister forum.
It’s a great way to play responsibly and to use manual flushing, players simply need to head to their withdrawal request page and click the ‘lock’ button that appears – it was automated. Some casino sites in the online gambling industry require players to contact the customer support team before manual flushing can be carried out.
Other Responsible Gambling Tools
Whether you make a lot of withdrawal requests, have a bad reverse withdrawal track record, or simply want other ways, besides protecting a pending withdrawal, from being re-gambled – here are some other tools you’ll often find at online casinos that can help you to stay in control.
Deposit Limits
Deposit limits are a responsible gambling feature that allows players to cap the amount of money they can deposit into their casino account over a certain period. This could be a daily, weekly, or monthly limit. The main purpose of deposit limits is to help players budget the amount of money they can deposit into their casino account. This prevents loss-chasing.
Players need to access the responsible gambling section of their online casino’s website or app to set up deposit limits. Here, they can choose the limit that suits their budget and gambling strategy. Once a limit is set, the casino enforces it strictly, and players cannot deposit more than the specified amount until the time period resets. This change will occur immediately if a player wishes to decrease their deposit limit further.
However, if a player wants to increase their deposit limit – i.e., to allow themselves to deposit more money than their current deposit limit allows – they will need to wait at least 24 hours. Some online casinos even require players to manually write an email to confirm that they wish to increase the limit.
Loss Limits
Loss limits are another responsible gambling tool, and they allow players to set a maximum limit on how much they can lose over a specified period, such as daily, weekly, or monthly. Once the set loss limit is reached, the player is restricted from placing any more bets until the period resets. This is particularly helpful in preventing the common pitfall of chasing losses, where players continue gambling to recover lost money, often leading to even more significant losses.
Like deposit limits, loss limits can be decreased instantly – but any increases will take at least 24 hours to effect. Most online casinos allow players to self-manage loss limits, but some still require players to contact the customer support team to set them up.
Wager Limits
Wager limits are another responsible gambling tool that allows players to control the amount they bet within a given timeframe. By setting wager limits, players decide on the maximum amount of money they can stake in a single bet or over a period of time, such as daily, weekly, or monthly. For example, if a player set a $5 wager limit, they could not bet more than $5 at once; it didn’t matter whether they were playing video slots or casino games; any bet totaling more than $5 would be rejected.
Cool-Off Periods
A Cool-Off period is a temporary break from gambling offered by many online casinos as part of their responsible gambling tools. This feature allows players to take a short-term break from gambling activities for a specified duration, ranging from a day to several weeks or months.
During the Cool-Off period, the player’s account is temporarily suspended, preventing any gambling activity, including deposits and betting. This tool is particularly useful for players who need to pause and reflect on their gambling behavior or those who wish to take a break for personal reasons.
Usually, players can activate the Cool-Off period through the responsible gambling settings on their casino account. Once activated, it cannot be reversed until the specified period is over. Some casinos, however, require you to contact the casino’s support team before a cooling-off period can be initiated.
Self-Exclusion
Self-exclusion is a more serious and longer-term responsible gambling tool, designed for players who want to take an extended break from gambling or those struggling with gambling addiction. It doesn’t have anything to do with reverse withdrawal requests, pending withdrawal processing, or manual flushing – but it’s worth mentioning, as it’s the most robust and ‘all-or-nothing’ responsible gambling tool in the online gambling industry.
Self-exclusion allows players to block themselves from one or more casinos for a minimum of six months; most casinos offer an upper time limit of five years, with a few even offering lifetime self-exclusion plans.
Once you enter into a self-exclusion agreement, you will no longer be able to log into your account, deposit money, or play games – you’re completely blocked from the casino you enter into a self-exclusion agreement at. It’s a good option for those who are really struglging to control their gambling and who need a long-term break.
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