666BET moves to allay customer repayment fears
GB regulator denies withholding permission for operator to return customers funds
Beleaguered operator 666BET has said it is “doing all it can” to return funds to its customers after an online petition which called for the return of customer monies was launched at the weekend.
In a statement released today 666BET, which last month had its Alderney and GB licences suspended amid allegations of tax fraud involving its director Paul Bell, said customers would be able to access their accounts and withdraw funds once it had received approval from the Gambling Commission.
However, speaking to eGaming Review, a spokesperson for the Gambling Commission said there was no restriction on the operator being able to release the funds to customers immediately, and certainly ahead of any decision being made on its licensing status.
“The Commission has made it clear that, while the licence is suspended, Metro Play Limited is authorised to settle any outstanding winning bets and return any outstanding balances to customers on request – and we expect them to do so,” the spokesperson said.
“We have written to the operator to remind them of their licence obligations in this regards, but it is not within our remit to recover funds on behalf of their customers,” the spokesperson added.
666BET has released a series of statements in recent weeks insisting customers would be able to withdraw their funds once 666BET and Metro Play, under the Metro Play licence, were back up and running.
“We apologise for the continued delay in returning customer funds,” today’s statement read. “We are currently seeking the appropriate approval from the UK Gambling Commission to re-open 666BET and Metro Play to enable customers to access their accounts.
“We hope to have further news shortly. Thank you once again for your continued patience but please be assure we are doing all we can to return our customers’ funds,” the statement added.
The news comes just days after an online petition was launched by irate customers looking to pressure 666BET into returning their funds. The petition states that some customers are owed monies ranging between £5,000 and £60,000 each and said their earlier withdrawals had been reversed.
666BET and Metro Play have yet to respond to eGR‘s requests for comment.