The boss of a series of gaming websites based in the Isle of Man spoke out today [Saturday] to Isle of Man Newspapers after gamblers claimed their accounts had been closed and funds withheld.
It was reported yesterday (Friday) that 138.com, 12Bet, Fun88.co.uk and TLC Bet have sent emails to customers suggesting they have abused the sites’ promotions systems in relation to deals offered during the Cheltenham Festival.
The news was widespread on Twitter and the UK’s Mirror website ran a story including details of a punter who is being denied access to £2,600 from accounts with all four companies.
Today [Saturday] Garth Kimber , chief executive officer of TGP Holdings Ltd said: ‘In response to speculation and comments on forums and in the press about certain brands TGP Europe Ltd would like to clarify our actions.
‘Following unprecedented volumes and unusual activities during the Cheltenham racing festival the company has followed our regulator approved procedures and terms and conditions and reviewed activity deemed suspicious.
‘All payments were processed for accounts not deemed to be under investigation and additionally all payments have now been processed for those accounts reviewed and found not to have been in breach of our terms and conditions.
‘For those accounts where the terms and conditions have been breached, account holders have been informed, the company has processed a refund of deposits, voided all bets (winning and losing) and closed the accounts.
‘The relevant authorities were informed of our concerns and subsequent investigation and we are in the process of sharing full details of the activities found to have taken place.
‘The company regrets the time taken and effects on genuine players but is committed to upholding both our own and the industry’s integrity.’
Mr Kimber said he could not comment further at this stage.
The Isle of Man’s Gambling Supervision Commission issued a short statement at 5pm yesterday (Friday).
It read: ‘I can confirm that the Gambling Supervision Commission is aware of the matter, however it is standard policy for the Gambling Supervision Commission not to comment on regulatory or compliance matters relating to its licensed operators.’
It is also understood gambling authorities in the UK have been made aware of the situation.
Last month it was reported the bookies racked up Cheltenham losses of millions as punters backed winners in unprecedented numbers all week.
It has been reported as being the ‘worst Cheltenham results in recent history’ for bookmakers’.
Mr Kimber is a previous head of eGaming for the Isle of Man government before moving over to the private sector.
eGaming is a thriving success story in the island accounting for more than 16 per cent of the island’s economy.