The British authorities will punish online gambling operators for the violation of consumer rights

The Kingdom United Kingdom Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) commission confirmed that it will begin compulsory actions against a number of online gambling operators suspected of violating consumer legislation.

This step will be taken as a part of the joint program of the CMA and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Last year, UKGC teamed up with CMA to address issues related to potential violations of consumer legislation, such as misleading advertising campaigns and unfair terms used by companies to block payments to players.

CMA found that various operators have a practice “that is likely to violate consumer law”, and therefore stated that it will take action against these companies to put an end to any illegal activities.

The Bloomberg news service reported that after an eight-month probe of examining various online gambling and casino websites, the CMA found about 800 unhappy clients.

The Competition and Markets Authority said that the promotions are not held on the terms on which it was promised, and the operators are unfair with the money of their clients. “Customers might have to play hundreds of times before they are allowed to withdraw any money so they don’t have the choice to quit while they’re ahead and walk away with their winnings when they want to,” read a statement from the CMA.

Read also: Do not miss Jolly Good Cashback reward at Jetbull casino

The committee pointed out that people should be provided with conditions that they are promised if they play online gambling games and visitors should be able to leave with their money when they want. However, often new customers are attracted by tempting promotions, and players can meet a number of obstacles in their path when they want to withdraw their money.

“We know online gambling is always going to be risky but firms must also play fair,” read a statement from Nisha Arora, Consumer Enforcement Senior Director for the CMA. “People should get the deal they’re expecting if they sign up to a promotion and be able to walk away with their money when they want to. Sadly, we have heard this isn’t always the case. New customers are being enticed by tempting promotions only to find the dice are loaded against them and players can find a whole host of hurdles in their way when they want to withdraw their money. That’s why we are today launching enforcement action where we think the law has been broken. We are also asking people who have had difficulties withdrawing their money when they’ve gambled online to tell us about it and help probe this issue even further.”

Without mentioning specific companies, the committee said that it would take actions against a number of operators suspected of violating the law and would use its powers to stop any illegal activities.

“Gambling operators must treat customers fairly but some have been relying on terms that are unclear with too many strings attached,” read a statement from Sarah Harrison, Chief Executive Officer for the Gambling Commission. “While the Competition and Markets Authority takes enforcement action on how consumer legislation is followed, the gambling industry should be under no illusion that if they don’t comply with consumer law we will see this as a breach of their operating license and take decisive action.”