On 30 December 2016, I opened a new account with GDay Casino. I deposited GBP30 and received a 200 per cent welcome bonus.
Using the initial deposit amount together with the bonus funds, I played on the site for the majority of 30 December 2016 and 31 December 2016. Having had some success on the site I submitted a withdrawal request of GBP2,000 on 3 January 2017. I provided the casino with the usual KYC documents ready for them to process the withdrawal once the 48 hour waiting period had expired.
However, instead of receiving confirmation that my withdrawal had been processed I actually received an email from the casino on 4 January 2017 advising that all of my winnings had been confiscated due to a breach of the terms and conditions attached to the welcome bonus. Specifically the casino claims that whilst using the welcome bonus I placed a bet for more than GBP5 being the prescribed maximum bet in accordance with the welcome bonus terms and conditions.
I emailed the casino to advise that I couldn't recall placing any bets in excess of GBP5. They then advised that a total of 7 bets had been placed between 22:52 and 22:53 on 30 December 2016 on the Bikini Party slot game in the sum of GBP5.96 per spin.
I informed the casino that when using the Bikini Party slot game I had set the bet amount at GBP2.50 per spin which is well below the prescribed maximum. I explained to the casino that the reason the bets were listed on the gaming history as GBP5.96 per spin was due to the additional charge for the respin feature.
The Bikini Party slot game contains a 'respin feature' which allows a player to respin a single reel. If the respin option is triggered all other reels are held and a single reel is then respun. The purpose of this is to allow players to match with symbols on the reels which have been held. The charge to use the respin feature comprises of the original bet amount (set manually by the player) plus an additional charge determined by the game. The important point to note is that any winnings generated during the respin feature are based on the original bet amount and not the total charge for the respin. In my case I had manually set the bet amount at GBP2.50 and any winnings generated were based on this sum not on GBP5.96 as listed in the gaming history. Based on this it is clear that I did not breach the terms and conditions of the welcome bonus. I set the bet amount at GBP2.50 which is well below the prescribed maximum. The higher amount of GBP5.96 is based on the total charge for the respin feature.
The whole purpose of restrictions when playing with bonus funds is to protect the casino's bonus and to limit winnings. As stated above any winnings generated during the respin feature would have been calculated based on the original bet amount of GBP2.50 not the charge set by the game for the respin. I submit that this does not contravene the terms and conditions as the whole purpose of the prescribed maximum bet in limiting winnings was still achieved. Unfortunately, the casino have rejected this explanation and are refusing to return my winnings.
It needs to be expressly stated in the casino's terms and conditions if players are not able to utilise the respin feature of this particular slot game when playing with the welcome bonus. The respin option is one of the main features of the Bikini Party slot game. If players are not able to use the respin feature there would be no reason to play the game.
I understand the Bikini Party slot game is new to GDay casino and I would suggest that unless the site has a better understanding of how this game operates the situation will continue to arise going forward in relation to other players.
I would also like to add that during my time on the site I estimate I played for around 30 hours over a 2 day period and placed well in excess of 10,000 bets. Apart from the 7 bets mentioned above no other bets were placed in excess of GBP5.
In light of the points set out above, I would appreciate if this matter could be reviewed and for the winnings to be returned to my account.
I've been unable to progress the matter further directly with the casino as they are no longer responding to emails. In particular I have asked them to confirm the date and time the welcome bonus wagering requirements were met so I can check whether this was before or after the 7 spins which were placed on Bikini Party. They have not provided this information so I'm unable to check this point.
Finally, I would like to add that what started as an enjoyable visit to the site has transformed into an extremely stressful situation. Prior to my funds bring confiscated I would have happily recommended the site to other players. I submit that the error is on the part of the casino and as originally stated I did not set the bet level above the prescribed bet level.
Many thanks
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