2 February 2009

I am having a lot of trouble getting the £36.48 I am owed by Wink Bingo (Cassava Limited who have a few other online Bingo sites). Since I paid in £20 by Mastercard, Wink Bingo have since informed me that due to global policy, Mastercard do not accept gaming related refunds. (Nothing in the Terms & Conditions about this.) I also contacted Lloyds TSB about this and as far as they are concerned, there is not a problem. (I did wonder if Wink may have to pay a deposit fee, perhaps £5?) Wink quite happily accepted my £20 though! (Also, on the Banking information site, Wink say that they accept Mastercard and Visa, preferring Visa. To get my £36.48 (either by cheque or banker's draft), I would have to fax (or e-mail) them a copy of my photocard driver's licence, a copy of the credit card used (front and back), a uitility bill and a copy of my credit card statement showing the deposit. (Even to get a passport that much information is not required!) Also, if I wanted the money wiring to me then I would have to supply them with my bank account details. There is no geographical address on their website, nor is there a named Data Protection Controller, which apparently they should have to be legal - whether or not they have a remote gambling licence with Gibraltar. All I want is the £36.48 that I am owed. Any suggestions or ideas please, thank you.

A thought for all you online Bingo Players out there: If a thousand players like myself win £30+ and decide that they don't want to risk the information Wink Bingo requires, Wink Bingo effectively takes an additional £30,000+. Also, when players like myself are unable to obtain their winnings, the other players who were buying cards for the bingo games that people like myself won on have effectively also thrown money down the drain. Plus, many, like myself will have paid in £20+, again giving Wink Bingo £20,000+ for free!!!

Kay Mawson

Hi Kay,
It is common and accepted practice for those of us in the US to send the documents they required from you for the payout to be issued. My advice would be to follow their instructions, get your money and NEVER RETURN!

It is hard to know how to help you as many UK sites do not allow USA players in. I am sure many of us will search to see what kind of help we can find you... in the meantime good luck on your helping from your end.

i have heard of a few sites requesting, in addition to other documents. the credit card statement showing the deposit. I find that overkill! I think the deposit is verified on their end when the card is accepted and they take your money. Why , when you request a withdraw, do they need to see that you actually deposited the money? What do they think you have been purchasing cards or playing slots with? Why weren't they concerned BEFORE you began playing at the site?You have to give them this next...