Complaints About Gambling Sites

Posted : admin On 4/9/2022
  1. Gambling Commission We take complaints about the Gambling Commission or our employees seriously. We want to deal with complaints properly and quickly, and we also want to learn from them. You can make a complaint about the Gambling Commission if you are not happy with the service you have received from us.
  2. Casino.guru is an independent source of information about online casinos and online casino games, not controlled by any gambling operator. All our reviews and guides are created honestly, according to the best knowledge and judgement of the members of our independent expert team; however, they are intended for informative purposes only.
  1. Number Gambling Site
  2. How To Complain About A Gambling Site
  3. How To Make A Complaint About A Gambling Site
  4. Gambling Sites Online
  5. Complaints About Gambling Sites List
Web

Roughly speaking about 30% of the thousands of complaints I’ve received over the years fall into this category. Fraud is a big part of the online gambling scene and that doesn’t look like it’s going to change any time soon. The second most common type of complaints are, again, not really complaints at all.

Unbiased, “No Stones Unturned” Reviews by Industry Experts.

Ranked for Safety, Secure Payouts and Quality of Service.

You might want to read our comprehensive reviews.

So, you’re interested in finding the best online gambling sites available? Well, if so, you’ve definitely come to the right place!

Welcome to LegitGamblingSites.com, where our team of experts continuously researches and reviews online gambling sites from all over the internet in an effort to weed out unsafe, unethical sites and pass along the best options to our readers.

No matter what criteria you’re looking for, we’ve got recommendations for you. You can search by the country you live in, the sport you want to bet on, the type you’re looking for, or even more specific criteria like payout speed and real money wagering.

If it involves placing bets online, we have tips, strategies, and trusted online gambling sites that deal with that topic.

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  • Lots of options to choose from
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  • 100% welcome bonus

Our experts have determined that the websites listed above are the top gambling sites on the internet. However, the rankings and recommendations may change depending on what activities or factors that you prioritize most.

For example, we can provide the best online gambling sites available to US customers, legit places to bet on baseball, or the top online casinos at which to play slot machines.

While all of our trusted sites are both safe and reliable, some are better for specific activities than others. After all, a company that excels at live sports betting may not be your best option for playing poker or bingo.

It’s all about finding the best fit. That’s why we take the time to organize our website based on each particular variable, so you always get the best gambling sites for the activity in which you’re interested!

Best Online Gambling Sites by Location

When it comes to gambling online, sometimes the rules and legality of it all can be confusing. Depending on where you’re located, there are different laws that dictate which types of wagers are allowed, banking methods you can utilize, and websites you may be able to access.

Organizing our guides and recommendations by location makes it a breeze to identify legit online gambling sites that service your area!

We advise our readers to check out our location-specific pages to educate themselves on the legal status of online gaming and what options they may have.

For Example

In the United Kingdom, gambling is licensed and regulated, which makes finding safe gaming sites easy for residents there.

On the other hand, the United States has confusing online gambling laws. It’s illegal to operate an online gambling site or process transactions involving betting sites if you’re a banking institution, but it’s still legal for individual residents to play online. For this reason, people in the US must find reliable offshore gaming sites to give their business to.

You may find specific information about laws, regulations, and jurisdictions by following these links:

Our Lists of Best Online Gambling Sites for…


Best Gambling Sites by Type

Perhaps you have a specific type of online gambling site that you’re looking for, and you would prefer to focus on that particular niche. Rather than waste time with information that isn’t related to what you’re looking for, you can visit a page 100% dedicated to a single variety of gambling online. We’re always developing more pages, and we already have options like political betting and high-stakes gambling sites.

Best Political Betting Sites
Financial Betting Sites
New Gambling Sites
High-Stakes Gambling Sites
Entertainment Betting Sites
Safest Gambling Sites
Fast Payout Gambling Sites

We also organize the top online gambling sites by individual sports and leagues. On the following pages, you’ll find recommendations including the highest-quality gambling sites, helpful gambling tips, detailed resource guides, and articles breaking down various strategies to help you win more often. The more knowledge about a sport that you have at your disposal, the easier it will be to spot mispriced odds and earn money.

Best Betting Sites by Sports League



If you’re not concerned with specific types of online gambling sites or individual sports, you may want to maximize convenience by focusing on your preferred payment method. We provide lists of recommendations that cater to each of the most accessible means of banking.

Depending on your location, you may be required to utilize specific payment options. Otherwise, you may just be looking for legit gambling sites that accept banking types with the fastest payout speeds. Whatever the case, we’ve got you covered.

Why These Are the Best Online Gambling Sites

Quite a bit of work goes into vetting online sportsbooks and casinos to ensure we only pass along the most reliable, legit online gambling sites to our readers. There are numerous variables that are researched which impact both our recommendations and reviews. Here are some of the fundamental factors that we take into account:

  • Safety and Legitimacy – There are tons of scammers and rogue gambling sites on the internet. Our purpose is to weed those out and only pass along safe, reliable, legitimate online gambling sites to our readers.
  • History/Reputation – We also consider a site’s past performances when forming our recommendations. Websites with a history of dissatisfied customers or that have previously landed on blacklists are avoided.
  • Quality Customer Service – The sites we pick have customer service sections with several contact methods. They also must actively monitor their communication channels and respond to issues in a reasonable amount of time.
  • Variety of Wagers – Whether you’re sports betting or playing casino games, the more variety, the better. Not only will you avoid boredom, but you’ll also be able to pinpoint the exact scenarios on which you want to bet. This is particularly helpful when betting on sports.
  • Multiple Banking Options – Our experts also prioritize gambling websites that accept numerous banking options. This gives you more control of your payout speeds and allows you to work around pesky banking laws that disallow specific methods, such as credit cards in the US.
  • Ease of Use /Website Quality – A site worth recommending should have a straightforward sign-up and deposit process, be easy to navigate, and be well designed to maximize customer experience. Graphics quality becomes more important when engaging in live sports betting and playing certain slot games.
  • Reasonable Payout Speeds – Rogue sites often manipulate payout speeds as a way to discourage you from withdrawing funds in hopes that you’ll grow bored and gamble the money away. Payout speeds are a significant factor in spotting legit gambling websites.
  • Bonuses and Loyalty Programs – Most sites offer bonuses for signing up and making an initial deposit. These free plays and extra cash can add up to a significant amount. Loyalty programs reward players based on how much they wager and how often. The more you gamble, the more significant the gifts.
  • Good Odds/Payout Percentage – Gambling is all about math and is frequently determined by the finest of margins. The recommendations we provide offer great odds on their games and competitive payout percentages.

If you’d like to learn more about the importance of finding safe online gambling sites and how we determine if a website is legitimate, please enjoy the articles linked below:

Gambling Safety
How We Determine Site Legitimacy
About Us
Gambling Site Reviews

Real Money Gambling

You’re not really gambling until there’s real money on the line! Playing the free games for a few minutes can be interesting, but nothing gets the blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing like having legitimate action on the game. And you know what comes with real money risks? Real money rewards!

With the incredible convenience of online gaming, suddenly you have the potential to hit the jackpot at any moment. You could be standing in line at the store or lounging on your couch, and the next thing you know, your life is changed forever! The only way to win is to play the game.

When it comes to real money online gambling sites, there are options available for every game, sport, and currency type you can imagine. Tens of billions of real dollars are wagered online every year, a number that increases each year. Isn’t it time for you to get in on all the fun?

Real Money Gambling Sites
Real Money Bitcoin Sites
Real Money Credit Card Sites
Real Money Mobile Sites
Real Money PayPal Sites

Online Gambling Guides

While we are definitely passionate about finding the top online gambling sites for our readers, our assistance doesn’t end there. We also spend countless hours researching strategies and creating guides to help you succeed in whatever wagering activities you enjoy. We break down the underlying concepts that dictate gambling, provide tips for maximizing your winning percentage, and write strategy guides for various casino games and sports betting.

Casino Guide

Before diving in and playing in the casino, you should consider reading our casino gamblers’ guides. We break down both the rules and the odds for various slot and table games. Our writeups also include the best possible playing strategies to maximize your chances of winning.

Additionally, we’ve broken down notions such as casino bonuses and the house edge, which play an instrumental role in determining if you will win or lose over the long term. Gambling online can be a fun, mindless way to pass the time if that’s what you’re looking for. But if you are playing to win, with dreams of jackpots in your head, you’ll want to first get acquainted with the information our experts have prepared for you.

Everything you will ever need to know about online slot machines!
Learn everything you will need to know about the best card game in the world!
Complaint sites online
What’s the deal with live dealers? Check out this detailed guide to find out!
Find out what types of deals casinos offer and how to get a piece of the action!


Sports Betting Guide

Our best online gambling sites might be great, but they won’t do you much good if you don’t know how to place your bets, which is why we’ve put together various guides to help you better understand how to bet on sports.

Our gamblers’ guides are especially beneficial for those that are interested in sports betting. Wagering on sports can be a confusing proposition with all of the unique terminology and types of bets. Furthermore, the majority of casual bettors think the object of placing sports wagers is merely picking winning teams. We’ve organized all of this information so that you can talk about and make sports gambling picks with the best of them!

Through our guides, you’ll learn about betting with value in mind, determining real probability, and calculating implied probability based on the odds. We also break down the many unique types of sports bets, including tips for approaching each variation. Most importantly, we offer guides explaining how critical bankroll management is and teach readers how to finance a bankroll and organize a staking plan.

Sports Betting Guide
Free Sports Bets
Sports Betting Bankroll Management
Types of Sports Bets
Sports Betting FAQ

Other Popular Guides

Number Gambling Site

We also have dedicated pages for a variety of other online gambling topics. If it involves wagering money on some game or event, we’ve got you covered. It doesn’t matter if you like playing online scratch cards or prefer to spend your day in a competitive poker tournament; there’s something for everyone to learn.

How To Complain About A Gambling Site

When you’ve completed reading all of the resource articles that catch your attention, you’ll have a solid foundation on which to build your gambling career. Experiencing success through gambling starts with acquiring knowledge and developing a full understanding of what’s going on and what you can do to improve the likelihood of winning. So, take the time to get acquainted with the guides that cover whichever games or wagers you’re going to try. You’ll thank us later.

Poker Sites
Esports Sites
Horse Racing Sites
Bingo Sites*
Bitcoin Sites
Cryptocurrency Sites
Mobile Sites*
Scratch Off Sites

Popular Gambling Blog Articles

Our team of experts is continuously paying attention to current events and writing blog articles on a vast range of topics and ideas. We make picks for most upcoming sporting events, break down in-depth gambling strategies, and share our opinions on a variety of subjects. This is where you can find an ever-changing stream of fresh content to keep you interested and in the know.

Make sure to keep checking back here to find the newest blog posts. These articles are typically written on topics the writers are very passionate or knowledgeable about, and so they’re a great opportunity for you to pick up expert advice without having to pay some shady handicapping service. Plus, sometimes they’re really funny!

The Importance of Responsible Gambling

Gambling can be a gratifying hobby and form of entertainment, but that doesn’t mean it’s without risk. Certain personality types have adverse reactions to the rush that online gambling provides, which can lead to compulsive behaviors and problem gambling.

If these behaviors are left unchecked, they can have a devastating effect on your life.

Thankfully, there are strategies for managing your money and staying responsible when gambling that can help you avoid the pitfalls of addiction. Understanding the ideas behind bankroll management and how to develop an effective staking plan will exponentially increase your chances of staying a responsible gambler.

To those already struggling with a gambling addiction or who know someone who is, we’re here to help you as well. In our “Gambling Responsibly” guide, we cover where to get help when experiencing problem gambling. We also share advice on how to help a friend who may be experiencing these issues.

We are all here because we enjoy the gambling. Whether it’s handicapping the game or playing blackjack that gets our juices flowing, we all experience an absolute thrill from making the right pick and winning some money. But that thrill requires a lot of discipline and responsibility. Just like anything else, moderation is key. If you aren’t capable of regulating your bad habits, your best bet is to avoid the topic altogether.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does location matter when choosing a gambling site?

Online gambling laws vary from place to place. Depending on where you’re located, the requirements a website must adhere to when accepting customers may change. For example, gaming websites housed in the United Kingdom must be licensed and heavily regulated by the gaming commission in their country. These sites will not accept players from the United States.

How do I know when a site is legit?

Legit gambling sites typically share several key attributes.

Complaints About Gambling Sites
  1. They process payout requests quickly
  2. They are not included in any industry blacklists
  3. They provide several timely payout options
  4. They promptly respond to customer service issues
  5. They are licensed and regulated in a thorough gambling jurisdiction
  6. You find them on our list of recommended sites

Is gambling online legal?

The answer to this question depends on where you live. However, in most parts of the world, an individual that’s gambling online is not breaking the law by doing so. Even when there are laws on the books, they aren’t enforced. In the United States, there are laws against operating an online betting site, and banks can’t process transactions with known gambling organizations, but the individual bettor is within their rights to gamble online using offshore websites.

Is online gambling fair?

Yes, as long as you’re playing on a legitimate gambling site. Websites that are under government regulation have their software tested to ensure the games are random and fair. Most games are governed by random number generators which decide which cards or symbols are dealt. These are kept under strict controls and cannot be altered without permission from the regulatory body.

Is it possible to cheat at online gambling?

No, not without hacking the software. If you do that, expect your account to be frozen and for the authorities to be alerted to your location well before you ever cash out any of the stolen funds.

How do I keep my information and gambling accounts safe?

First, make sure you’re only using reliable gambling sites that have been researched and vetted by experts. Next, decline the option to have your computer or mobile device save your password for quicker logins. That way, someone with access to your computer or phone can’t just log in and withdraw your money. Use a creative password with lots of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use pet names, kid’s names, or predictable words.

What’s an offshore gambling site?

Offshore gambling sites are casinos or sportsbooks that are available to US customers but aren’t located within the United States’ jurisdiction. Because operating online gambling websites is illegal in the US, these websites are not licensed or regulated by the government. Most offshore gambling sites that accept US citizens are based in the Caribbean and are held to the rules and regulations in their particular jurisdiction.

Can I play on my mobile device?

Yes, the majority of online gambling sites are compatible with mobile devices. It’s also becoming more popular for websites to create their own apps, making access to their games more convenient and helping them to run smoother. Some gambling sites are still behind in this regard, but it’s not common.

I was just offered a bonus. What’s a rollover?

Many of the entry-level bonuses come with significant strings attached, usually in the form of rollovers. Rollovers are a requirement for the amount of money you must wager before being allowed to withdraw money. So, if you accept a $100 bonus with a 25x rollover, you’ll need to place a total of $2,500 in bets before having the ability to request a payout. The higher the rollover, the more unlikely you are to win enough to meet the requirement before losing your bankroll. This is one of the many factors we consider when selecting the best online gambling sites recommended above.

Do online gambling sites use real money?

Yes! Many will allow you to play for free as well, but the sites that you’ll find here mostly deal in real money. You have to bet real money to win real money!

Are the gambling sites that you recommend licensed and regulated?

They are! We do our best to make sure all of our recommended sites maintain their licenses. It is possible for a place to let their gaming license lapse, depending on their jurisdiction, but it’s extremely rare.

What does “payout percentage” mean?

The payout percentage is the number of winnings a game or machine is programmed to return based on a percentage of the amount wagered. The higher the payout percentage, the more favorable the odds are for the player.

Why do online gambling sites require personal information when signing up?

Any reputable online gambling operation has rules to follow, namely that you’re of age to be playing. Depending on the jurisdiction, gamers must be either 18 or 21 years old to bet.

I’m new to online gambling; where’s the best place to start?

Before getting started, take some time to read through our gamblers’ guides and acquaint yourself with the rules, odds, and strategies of whichever type of gambling you’re planning on trying.

What’s the benefit of gambling online rather than in a land-based casino?

There are several!
  1. Convenience – you can play any game or place any bet from anywhere
  2. Better odds – without all the overhead and upkeep that comes with running a building, online gambling sites can offer better odds and still make money
  3. Variety – online casinos can offer more types of slots and table games than even the most massive brick-and-mortar spot could ever dream of having the floor space for

How can I tell that a gambling site is a scam?

  1. They change their terms and conditions
  2. They have negative customer reviews complaining about slow payouts or unfair treatment
  3. They make up rules to avoid paying out customers. For example, accusing players of being professional gamblers or cheating
  4. You find them on industry blacklists

Do I have to download any software?

It’s not typically required, but there are times when you may. Some online gambling sites and poker rooms offer downloadable software that speeds up the processing time and creates a more stable gaming experience. If you’re opposed to this, there are numerous no-download slot sites at your disposal as well.

Which regulatory jurisdictions are the best?

The gambling jurisdictions that we trust the most are the ones that take licensing and regulation seriously. Some of the best are:
  • Alderney
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Gibraltar
  • Isle of Man
  • Kahnawake
  • Malta
  • Panama

Why can’t I access certain online gambling sites in other countries?

It all depends on the laws in your location and the laws in their jurisdictions. If you’re trying to access gambling sites in the UK, they will block access since they’re heavily regulated and are only legally allowed to provide services to residents within their borders.

What’s the best way to win money gambling online?

If you take the time to study and understand finding value, sports betting is your best chance to consistently win money gambling, assuming you’re utilizing the best online gambling sites available. Once you get to a certain level, it’s more like playing the stock market than gambling. Otherwise, some forms of video poker have high payout percentages if you play the proper strategy. Make sure to read our guides to ensure you’re giving yourself the best odds of winning.

If you have a complaint against a licenced UK betting site, bookmaker or casino the first thing to do is to approach them. Part of their licence agreement means they must to everything that can reasonably be expected to resolve a customer complaint using internal procedures. Most customer complaints do not escalate beyond this. The table in this section gives information on how to make a complain to UK bookmakers listed on OnlineBetting.org.uk.

Should you not be able to resolve a complaint then you can approach The Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) or in some cases the Advertising Standards Agency and the Gambling Commission.

IBAS is an impartial adjudicator for disputes between punters and gambling operators. This article gives information on how to use IBAS and other services as well as examples of common complaints and their likely outcomes.

  • Complaints:

Bookmaker / Betting Site Complaint Information

18+ #ad. Play responsibly, BeGambleAware, for help quitting visit Gamstop.

The contact details listed in this table are for the UK. If you would like an overseas or alternative phone number, additional email addresses or customer services postal addresses see our betting site reviews contact section.

Betting SiteContact EmailContact PhoneReviewVisit
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.0800 047 0965Review
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.0203 478 0670Review
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.+356-20102511 -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.0800 7810 365Review
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.0870 1781 021 -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.0344 871 0000Review
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.0800 028 7747Review
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Call Back ServiceReview
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.0800 22 00 66Review
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.0800 44 00 11Review
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.+44 203 608 6491 -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Call Back -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.No Phone -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.0800 731 6191Review
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.+44 808 169 9799 -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.0800 279 2688 -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.02033189367 -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.+44 (20) 32900310 -
Discontinued0800 056 5275Review
Form On SiteCall Back Service -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.No Phone -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.No Phone -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.No PhoneReview
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.No PhoneReview
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.+44 2037 690147Review
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.0800 329 393Review
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.No Phone -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.0800 085 6296Review

How To Make A Complaint to a UK Bookmaker

The first thing to do before you contact your operator is to get your facts in order. Whether your complaint is about an incorrect bet, lost payment, failure to payout, etc., then there will always be a record in your customer history. Download or screen shot your history and use this when you make your complaint.

All terms and conditions relating to betting and funding must be listed and easily accessible from the home page or help centre. Familiarise yourself with the relevant sections before you email. Remember if you have contravened the terms but you feel the conditions are unclear or inaccessible you may still have a complaint.

Contact the bookmaker and put forward your case, see the example below. Try to be factual and use neutral language. If your complaint is eventually escalated to IBAS then these exchanges may be scrutinised so don't shoot yourself in the foot before you start. Maybe stay off social media in the first instance too.

Remember, bookmakers and betting sites are private companies and while they have a duty to adhere to their licence conditions they can decide at any time to terminate an account. On the other hand bookmakers need to make money and so they will generally be fair with customers to ensure your on going business.

Below is an example of where I felt I had been mislead by a betting offer and how I dealt with it. The bookmaker decided to be rational and even though technically they were correct, to the letter of their T&Cs, they realised it was a pretty underhand thing to do, and they would ultimately lose my custom:

Dear Bookmaker

I recently placed a bet in line with your horse racing promotion 'Bet £10 on race X and get a £10 free bet the next day'. As you can see form the attached screen shot I placed the bet at 12:30pm. The free bet was awarded later that day at 16:30pm. Unfortunately I was unable to login to my account until the following evening only to find my free bet had expired. I did know that the free bet was only valid for one day but having scrutinised the offer terms I feel that the deal was misleading. The terms state:

'Place a £10 win single bet on race 'X' and get a £10 Free Bet…….Free bets are awarded for the following days racing and expire after 24 hours'

My interpretation of these terms is the free token is valid for the following days racing. I logged onto my account at 17:16 to use my free bet in the 17:35 race at 'Y' only to find the token had expired. I think it is reasonable to assume from the terms that the free bet would be valid for the entire days racing on the following day even if this was technically more than 24 hours from you crediting my account. Racing on this day continued until 18:05 and I think it is only fair for the bonus to remain valid until this time.

Having been a customer of yours for 2 years I would hope that you could see this was a genuine mistake and credit my account. I would like to say out of principle I would be unlikely to remain a customer if this isn't considered. I would also consider approaching IBAS and the Advertising Standards Agency

Kind Regards

The bookmaker did decide to reissue the free bet and accepted the terms were misleading.

Always try this approach first. IBAS won't consider your complaint if you haven't tried to resolve your issues directly.

The Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS)

Should your complaint with the gambling operator become deadlocked you can now approach IBAS. The adjudication service is made up of a panel of experts that are familiar with both th industry and the law. They will scrutinise the terms and conditions of the operator as well as checking they have complied with the Gambling Commissions own licencing standards and IBAS conditions of registration.

Once the panel make a ruling this is now binding for all parties without detriment to any existing legal proceedings.

How to complain about online gambling site

IBAS operate in the following sectors:

  • Adult Gaming Centres
  • Bet Exchanges
  • Betting Shops
  • Bingo Clubs
  • Casinos
  • Charitable Lotteries
  • Gambling Machines
  • Lotteries
  • Remote Gambling
  • Totalisator Betting

All bookmakers listed on this site are registered with IBAS. We recommend you do not deal with operators not registered with the service. If you are dealing with an operator not listed you may need to consider legal action, or see some of other options further down.

For a more detailed guide on how to complain see our dedicated IBAS page.

Advertising Standards Agency

If, like me in the example above, you think you have been misled by an advert or offer you may have a case to complain to the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA). The ASA are there to ensure all adverts and promotions are clear and fair.

The ASA can, and will, often rule in favour of the customer, even if that customer has technically contravened the terms and conditions of the offer or company. Should the ASA judge the advert, or its terms, to be misleading they will generally come down in your favour.

Betting sites and casino sites are obliged to adhere to advertising standards. Also because this is the gambling industry there are additional restrictions on adverts. Betting ads and offers cannot be aimed in any way at children (under 18) or vulnerable age groups and they cannot use sexualisation in their ads. The agency will also take into account 'the spirit' of an advert and consider if the ad was designed to mislead even if it technically ticks complaints boxes.

Gambling Commission

It is not the job of the Gambling Commission to mediate customer complaints about individual accounts or bets. If however you feel a bookmaker has contravened the terms of their licensing agreement, particularly in relation to the Gambling Act of 2005 and 2014, then you can report an operator to the GC. Read more about licensing and law requirements is our dedicated article, read more.

Issues concerning operators breaking the law (fraud and crime, failure to enforce safe gambling, not protecting vulnerable people, etc.) can all be referred to the gambling commission. If, for example, you asked to be self excluded, or have your account restricted in some way, and an operator failed to do this properly then this would be breaking the law. If a bookie allowed a child to gamble this would be breaking the law, etc.

If you are gambling with an unlicensed operator then you do so at your own risk. If they are not based in the UK (which they probably won't be) there is not a lot you can do, even through the courts. All sites listed at OnlineBetting.org.uk are fully UK licensed.

The Senet Group

The Senet Group is a body set up voluntarily by the UK's biggest bookmaker to ensure responsible gambling and ethics within the industry. If you think an operator who is a member has contravened these standards, particularly by putting vulnerable people at risk, then you can also contact this group. As well as the gambling commission.

Coral, Ladbrokes, William Hill and Paddy Power are all well known members of the Senet group. The group covers around 75% of retail betting shop and over 40% of online gambling. If you have a problem with member brands, particularly in relation to responsible gambling complaints, then contacting the Senet Groups is a viable option.

Association Of British Bookmakers

If you feel a high street bookmaker is being deliberately unreasonable consider contacting the ABB for advice. Sometimes these guys can just give the bookie a nudge and say 'come on sort it out for the benefit of all of us'.

The ABB is an industry trade association that represents betting shop operators in the UK. Don't get me wrong, it is their job to represent the bookies interests, but on occasion, if the complaint is obviously right and the operator just isn't listening, they have been known to help. This is more of a last port of call however. At the very least you can use the ABB to read about codes of conduct and other industry news that you could use in your favour.

Social Media, Twitter and Facebook

Embarrassment is a tool you can sometimes use to your advantage. If you feel an operator isn't taking you seriously try contacting them through social media including Twitter and Facebook.

Most operators have separate (and usually friendlier) teams here and this can often give you a new outlook in your complaint. At the end of the day no one want to look bad in such an exposing area so use it to your advantage.

Be careful though don't jump straight to social media before using official channels as this can actually hurt your case.

How To Make A Complaint About A Gambling Site

Keep A Cool Head

Gambling Sites Online

Throwing your toys out of the pram is not going to fly with many operators. It will take time to resolve your complaint if you need to escalate it, be patient. If you go straight away and slag these guys off on social media or through the press or internet then it's not going to win you any friends. On the other hand if you have exhausted every angle then go down this route if you like.

Complaints About Gambling Sites List

Lastly if you don't like how you have been treated by an operator, remember it’s a free country so take your custom elsewhere. I can't vouch for every betting site but I can tell you on OnlineBetting.org.uk we only list professional top quality licenced and IBAS registered UK bookmakers. If you stick to these guys you shouldn't go too far wrong.