One of the questions bettors often ask is whether they can claim money back from the gambling site. Read this article to know the process of getting your money and what you should avoid.
Online casino gambling is on the increase in the United States and globally. While it is a great form of entertainment for people, it also poses a great risk if proper measures are not considered.
Problem gambling is a menace in the casino industry, and every provider is trying to get a solution for it by all means. People that have problems with gambling can get help from different organizations. But the biggest question is whether they can get the money back they lost to the gambling sites.
Though quite complicated, there are steps that problem gamblers can follow to access their accounts and possibly they receive their funds back.
Before tackling the question of how to get your money back, it is essential to know the meaning of responsible for gambling refunds and how it helps players.
What is Responsible Gambling Refund?
As earlier mentioned, gambling addiction is one of the biggest challenges in the US. Many people are losing money on irresponsible gambling. This has led to the creation of organizations and new laws to dictate what should be done to claim your funds.
A responsible refund explains cases where online casino providers have returned the money that problem gamblers have lost in the process. However, the process of claiming your gambling losses is not easy. Many online casino operators will not accept to refund even if you blame your losses on gambling addiction. In fact, many instances where the casino has returned money are where there was a lawsuit.
Can a Casino Refund Money Spent While Problem Gambling?
Theoretically, the answer is yes. An online casino can refund the money you lose if you have a gambling addiction problem. Many people have received their money in the past after the courts intervened. Additionally, casinos that were found guilty had to pay hefty fines to be cleared.
Additionally, the decision of whether a casino will refund your money or not depends on the license and regulations they adhere to. Many casino sites have mandatory responsible gambling features (RGF) that allow players to self-exclude or set limits. These policies help the casino operator to monitor and regulate any bad gambling habits.
In most cases where players have been refunded their money was where the gambling website failed to tag them as problem gamblers. It is the operator's social responsibility to inform the player, stop gambling adverts and bonus notifications, and accept real money wagers from persons with gambling problems. Failure to uphold these responsibilities will lead to fines, refunds, and adjusting of the responsible gambling features.
Therefore, to get a refund from an online casino, you must prove that you are a problem gambler and that the company was aware but failed to protect you.
Other Circumstances your Can Claim a Cashback from Gambling
The first thing to note before claiming a return of your money is that operators have dealt with all types of people. The good news is that you are sure of getting your funds if you have genuine reasons. Besides claiming the money you deposited as a problem gambler, you can also get a refund under the following circumstances:
- Money Added to Your Account Accidentally
- In case you have added cash to your account accidentally, and you've spent it on real money online casino games. The good thing is that many online casinos have payout features that enable you to contact the support for any help and clarification.
- Unknown Wager from your Account
- There are cases where the player's money is staked from the account without his or her knowledge. To claim such funds, players must follow certain steps. The first thing is to go back to the casino's terms and conditions to see what you are expected to do. It's very simple, send an email to the support team responsible for solving disputes.
- Funds Have Been Withdrawn in a Fraudulent Way
- Another instance where you claim money from an online casino is if money has been withdrawn from your account without your consent. In this case, you must act swiftly and decisively. The first thing you should do is contact the customer support team and request them to close your casino account. Also, it is recommended to alert the local authorities within your reach.
Responsible Gambling Measures to Consider
There are some measures you should consider if you want to enjoy safe and responsible gambling. Some of the measures you can undertake include but are not limited to setting up protection measures to ensure your online casino information is safe and secure.
Another thing you should opt for is getting help from a severe gambling addiction organization. These organizations have professionals working around the clock to ensure all your questions are duly answered.
Furthermore, you must ensure that you choose a fully licensed and regulated casino that allows you to enjoy standardized and regulated games and services.
What is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling is considered a gambling disorder, and it's classified in the DSM-5 under substance-related addictions. These activities aim at triggering the brain's behavior repeatedly and can often appear in the same way.
There are many different symptoms that a person should show over the past 12 months before being diagnosed as a problem gambler. The most common and easy notice symptoms of a problem gambler are:
- Feeling restless or easily irritated when asked to stop or gamble responsibly.
- The desire to stake vast amounts of money with the goal of winning big.
- Unsuccessful efforts to control or stop gambling.
- Always preoccupied with gambling and doesn't consider anything happening in the surrounding.
- Gambles more especially when stressed, guilty, helpless, and depressed.
- Always returning to gambling to recover lost bets.
- Cheats to hide their gambling addiction and are not ready to be helped.
- Gambling jeopardizes your work, business, and relationships.
- Isolation and social withdrawal.
Gambling Addiction Treatment and Solutions
Overcoming a gambling addiction is not a walk in the park. Problem gamblers must first all accept that they need help before seeking professional support. Nonetheless, every gambler has a unique character and requires a recovery program that is customized for their needs. The bottom line is that you should get help from your mental health expert. These are some of the things you can do to regulate your gambling addiction:
Understand your Problem Gambling
The first and foremost thing to do is understand the problem you want to treat. This is the best way to get the right help from professionals. We've already shared some of the symptoms that indicate you are addicted to gambling.
Join Inpatient and Rehab Programs
Inpatient and rehab programs have been very helpful to people with gambling addiction. One thing you should understand is that problem gambling requires you to learn the options available to you and your family. This will help you in making the right decision before playing. Nevertheless, makes sure that you join a registered and approved inpatient or rehab program.
Get Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Professional therapy services are highly recommended for people with gambling addiction. Therapists follow the diagnostic and statistical manuals to help gambling addicts identify the things that led them to compulsive gambling. Therapy will help a player can identify misconceptions and correct them accordingly.
Regulate How Much to Bet
The best secret to stopping gambling is limiting your spending on wagering. You can do this by asking the provider to stop serving you, set bank limits, or using software to prevent you from any forms of gambling.
Share with a Third-Party
It's often said that a problem shared is half solved. This is very true, especially if you have a gambling addiction problem. You can choose to share with a close person like a friend, sister, or family. Also, you can join community forums and share your story with other people with gambling problems.
Seek a Refund
If you feel that the casino provider was unjust in taking your money, you can file for a court case to be refunded. Some operators will still share bonus notifications through emails even when you self-exclude. The decision of your case highly depends on the casino's terms and conditions and the license provider.
Find Alternatives to Gambling
If you cant fight the temptations of gambling, it is important to focus on other alternatives. Of course, the options will depend on your hobbies and likes. If you feel the urge to gamble, you can opt for physical exercise, meditation, spending time with friends, travel, etc.
Don't Forget the Consequences
Before you get lost in real money gambling, it is important to think about your loved ones. You should ask yourself how they will survive if they run bankrupt. Remember, online gambling addiction causes emotional pain not only to you but also to your loved ones.
Common Triggers of Problem Gambling
- Many things push players into becoming problem gamblers. Do understand that gambling addiction can happen to anyone and at any time. The following are some of the most common factors that lead to problem gambling:
- Retirement
- Job-related Problems
- Loneliness and depression
- Surrounding factors like friends
- heavy traumatic cases.
How to Find a Good Online Casino with a Responsible Gambling Policy
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, the goal is to find an online casino that upholds responsible gambling. These are the key factors that determine a safe online casino to choose:
License and Regulation: Make sure the online casino you choose is fully licensed ad regulated by a recognized authority. Some of the most respected authorities are Malta, Curacao, Gibraltar, and the UK Gambling Commission.
Fair Games: The casino should have a vast range of highly entertaining games. Also, the games should be powered by RNG software that is regularly tested by a third-party agency.
Secure Payment Options: There should be a vast range of trustworthy and reliable banking and withdrawal options, including traditional methods and cryptocurrencies.
Professional Support and Service: A casino with 24/7 customer support is safe as you are sure of getting help at any time of the day or night. There should be different communication channels like email, live chat, and telephone.
Compatibility: The best online casino is compatible with all devices. You should be able to play on mobile and personal computers.
Benefits of Responsible Gambling
There are many benefits that players enjoy when they gamble at a casino with responsible gambling policies. Nevertheless, the advantages vary depending on the platform that you are using. They include:
- Protecting the vulnerable and underage gamblers.
- Ensure all forms of gambling are protected against criminal activities.
- Grant information privacy for all customers.
- Protection of online transactions and financial information.
- Ensure operators abide by ethical and responsible marketing.
- More winnings and less losses.
The Bottom Line
Problem gambling is not something to ignore, whether you are gambling online or from a land-based casino. The good news is that there are measures to ensure that all customers enjoy safe and responsible gambling. Whether you choose to play casino games or wager on real money games, you are fully assured of putting money into safe hands. Additionally, casinos that abide by responsible gambling rules are legal, safe, and offer a vast selection of fair and highly entertaining games.
