666BET rejects Gambling Commission payment claim
Suspended operator claims it will only be able to return money to customers once it is back online and is waiting for the regulator to authorise a white-label arrangement
666BET has hit back at allegations it’s withholding customer funds, describing a recent statement released by the British regulator on the issue as “misleading”.
In a statement of its own, the operator, which last month had its British and Alderney licences suspended by the respective regulators, yesterday said it had been unable to return funds following a number of third-party contract cancellations, including those with payment providers.
It also said that in order for customer to access their accounts and request withdrawals, the 666BET site would need to be back up and running with the firm currently waiting on the Gambling Commission to authorise a white-label arrangement, believed to be with EveryMatrix.
Its comments come in response to a statement released by the Gambling Commission which said there should be nothing to prevent 666BET from returning money back to customers upon request.
“While the UK Gambling Commission have stated that we do not require a licence in order for customers to withdraw their money and authorised us to do so, this is misleading as it does not recognise the fact that, as a web-based company, we need to be online in order for customers to action their withdrawals via their accounts,” the 666BET statement read.
“Following the suspension of our licences by both the UKGC and the Alderney Gaming Control Commission, a number of our third party providers immediately cancelled or suspended our contracts with them, including payment providers.
“We therefore do not currently have the ability to pay customers out unless we reach an agreement with other providers to return as a white label,” it added.
Customers waiting on the return of funds recently set up an online petition demanding their money back. 666BET said it could appreciate the customers’ frustration but added that its hands were tied until its white-label deal is approved.
“Our potential provider explicitly informed us in good faith that this move needs to be sanctioned by the UKGC,” the statement read. “We were further told that this was expected yesterday but so far we have yet to receive an update from either party.
“We have been doing everything within our power to refund customers fully but are now waiting on the aforementioned parties to reach an agreement so we can proceed as planned,” it added.
666BET and parent company Metro Play had its licences suspended last month following allegations of tax fraud levelled at company director Paul Bell.
The Gambling Commission this morning told eGaming Review it had no further comment to make at this time.