[Border Gadgie]

Partybets have removed money from my account as 'inactivity admin fee' for not wagering in the last 180 days. There was no warning or reminder, so if you have any money in Partybets/Gamebookers accounts dont leave it in there without using it or you will find they will take money from it.

I was not aware that Partybets/Gamebookers have this rule, where if you log in but dont make a bet/play casino/poker, they can try and justify theft of money from your account without any notice or warning, by including this in their terms and conditions.

Also rather annoyingly you cant withdraw to moneybookers or visacard if your account has been 'inactive' for more than 180 days without re-depositing some more money, wagering and therefore 'activating your account again' .........then making a withdrawal.

The sum involved is not very much but it is more the priniciple that they can do this without any recourse, they have not had the decency to reply to my email about this and regardless of their self imposed t & c's, I consider this as a rather pathetic way by a bookmaker to gain funds, try to justify theft and is not the way a credible or decent business would operate.


Notice the version of the rules sent in the email to me, makes no mention of having to make bet etc to remain 'active', however the site rules listed further below state that you must wager to avoid the fee.

Our records show that that you have not logged in to your account for 180 days.

A £ 4.21 administration fee** has been charged to your inactive account. The next charge will be deducted from you account balance on: 22-Mar-2011 ET.

However, this fee will NOT be charged if your account, or any related account, is reactivated on or before 21-Mar-2011 ET.

Reactivating your account is easy: Just log in and place a cash wager, enter a tournament with a cash entry fee, or play a raked hand.

**TERMS & CONDITIONS If you do not access your Account by "logging on" to your Account using your Account name and password for any period of 180 days, then after those 180 days (the "180 day grace period") your Account (and any related account with any ESP) will be deemed "Inactive". If your Account becomes Inactive, then the Company is entitled to charge you an administrative fee (the "Inactive Account Fee"). The Inactive Account Fee shall be deducted from your Account Balance at the end of each calendar month in accordance with the Inactive Account Fee Schedule. We will stop deducting the Inactive Account Fee from your Account Balance if your Account is re-activated.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our Customer Care team is available 24/7.

Sincerely,

Party Team

Rules from Site Page:

11. INACTIVE ACCOUNT FEES AND ABANDONMENT OF ACCOUNTS

11.1. If You do not access Your Account by 'logging on' to Your Account using Your Account name and password and either (i) place a cash wager or bet via the Services, or (ii) enter a tournament with a cash entry fee via the Gaming Services, or (iii) play a raked hand via the Gaming Services, or (iv) make a deposit as applicable, for any consecutive period of 180 days, then after those 180 days (the 'Grace Period') Your Account (and any related account with any ESP) will be deemed 'Inactive'.

11.2. Once Your Account has been deemed Inactive We will be entitled to charge You an administrative fee (the 'Inactive Account Fee'). We may deduct an amount up to the Inactive Account Fee amount from Your Account Balance on the day following the end of the Grace Period and then every thirty (30) days thereafter in accordance with the Inactive Account Fee Schedule. If We continue to deem Your Account Inactive for a period of eighteen consecutive calendar months, in order to safeguard Your monies, We may withhold any remaining monies in Your Account and close Your Account. You may contact Us to reclaim any such withheld monies at any time.

We will stop deducting the Inactive Account Fee from Your Account Balance if Your Account is re-activated by entering a tournament, or making a cash bet or wager, or by playing a raked hand, by making a deposit or upon closure of Your Account in accordance with 11.2 above.

[juuso]

That really sucks, but it's probably legal in their jurisdiction. Most bookies and ewallets will do anything to snip extra money and fees off of their customers.

[mighty maron]

Clearly stated. Party is usually very flexible on this. Just email them and say you didnt realize. They will probably refund you

[Border Gadgie]

Clearly stated. Party is usually very flexible on this. Just email them and say you didnt realize. They will probably refund you

Clearly stated in their t & c's yes.........if you decide to go looking for them, I have accounts at many places and no book has ever pulled a stunt like this before........look at this way, if you have no money in the account they cant charge or put your funds to a negative balance, so its just nice and easy to introduce ridiculous 'admin fees' to their rules which makes an easy target to look for when someone has a balance there that has not been active.

What is the point? Do they think that by skimming money from the top of peoples balances that they will encourage some kind of loyalty rather than negative publicity, as I said I emailed them to explain and they have not bothered to reply.........which tells me everything I need to know about this lot.

Its only peanuts so they can ram it, however money in my account is not Partybets cash it is mine, in the same way money in your bank account is yours not the banks, so if a bank took money from your account without any notice of intent, you would hardly be very pleased........whatever the ludicrous the t & c's where.

[mighty maron]

Have you tried emailing them, saying you werent aware of it, and ask nicely for it back. Party is big enough they dont need the amount and would rather have you as a customer.

[Hareeba!]

When you sign up and play with a book you have agreed to all their terms and conditions.

"Ignorance of the law is no excuse"

However, that doesn't make it a fair condition.
There is no way that an inactive account is costing them what they are charging you for maintaining it. In the meantime they have the use of your money.
It is simply a tactic to get players to bet more.
Unethical.

[leon]

If they refer at terms and cond, that rule,i can t understand why you post this thread?

[Jnas]

Its ridiculous I remember reading the same thing about party poker players a few years back. but if its in their terms it is within their right to do

[bracerman]

A number of online betting sites have these kinds of rules. Betfair comes to mind. 5 euros/month charge after a year of inactivity.

[OneLossParlayGuy]

wow, thats brutal. I would complain. There should never be that kind of fee IMO

[BigSpoon]

I had the same thing happen to me a few months ago at Mansion Poker. Got charged a $7.50 inactive fee when my balance there was only ~$25 at the time.

[freeze]

I had the same thing happen to me a few months ago at Mansion Poker. Got charged a $7.50 inactive fee when my balance there was only ~$25 at the time.

Hey buddy did you want to do that deal

[secretstash]

hey freeze. let me know if u want ur 1 pt back or u plan on still sending 2 per day to ur savings... thanks

-stash

[Stefan]

I think they should inform their customers a few weeks before they are deducting money from the account. Nevertheless I think these methods are outrageous. If they want to close inactive accounts, they should do this and payout the money. What happens if you have an accident and you are not able to loggin for half a year. That might be really expensive.

[Border Gadgie]

Random post wager bonuses up to 100 Euros have been added to Partybets and Gamebookers accounts, so may be worth checking your bonus offers in your account section if you use these guys. I have had one added...............so will now make them pay for the removal of funds from my account.

[Kaabee]

pacific poker used to do this. there was a big uproar about it on twoplustwo and it was changed i believe. it was a lot more than a few pounds though.