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Refusing to refund my deposit


6 years ago
Hello

I wanted to report that Pokerstars has stolen my deposit and refuses to refund it to me. I know this is a strong accusation and that saying they stole my money may sound exaggerated. I will explain.

5 weeks ago I make a deposit of €500 with Pokerstars Casino. They have offered a bonus for Portugal with a bonus code written in the promo area. The bonus code was not recognise in the deposit area. I copy paste and copied exactly many times but a message appear every time saying not recognised. I try to contact Pokerstars support and explain. They reply with a non sequitur saying that I must fill in the registration form. I had already filled in the registration form so this advice did not help me. It has nothing to do with my question and is like support is responding random sentences to customer emails.

I emailed many more times over two weeks. Nearly all my emails are ignored. I try to play but casino has bugs and no game opens in any internet browser. I have flash activated but nothing works.

I try to cash out my deposit now because I am not happy at how I am treated. When I cash out I am asked to send my documents. I send everything and they are approved. I cash out again and support contact me about the bonus saying that it has now been added. No money was added to my account. They say I must bet first then I get the bonus later. Every casino in my country gives bonus for players before. But I accept that Pokerstars is a private business and want to have rules that they make. This is not what I prefer so I cash out again. No reply. The money is return to my casino account with no explanation. I am very upset now because many weeks have pass. I cash out again and email explaining the situation. Again I am ignored and money is returned to my casino account. Again I cash out and send email to them.

Pokerstars security now email me asking why I have not played with my deposit and say that my cash out is refused. I email explaining that I have been treated very badly and that no games work for me so I can not play even if I want to. But I do not want to play because as I explain to Pokerstars security I have lost confidence. Even if I could play and I am lucky and win a lot I do not think they will pay. Pokerstars immediately demonstrate the reason why I have lost confidence: My email is ignored again. My cash out is sent back to the casino account again.

When a business holds a citizens money and refuses to return it without providing any service and after performing all the legal paperwork for security this is theft. There is no verification that must be performed since this is done now. I sent all my documents, address proofs and after even had to send my personal information from my bank showing my IBAN. Pokerstars wants me to gamble away my €500. I would probably have done this if they had treat me in a fair way and if Pokerstars software worked. This is why I used the sentence that Pokerstars has stolen my deposit.

Pokerstars has just received a new licence for casino games my country. Very few casinos are allowed a casino licence in my country. The regulator is very strict. So I do not understand why Pokerstars think treating gamblers like this is wise. The regulator have explain to me that Pokerstars is not allowed to keep my deposit. I do not want to play at Pokerstars. Even if I wanted to I could not anyway. Nothing works in any browser. So I want my deposit returned after many weeks of terrible service.
Disputed Casino PokerStars Casino
Amount €500

Discussion

User name

AskGamblers Complaints Team has been informed by the player via email that their complaint has been successfully resolved.

The case is being officially closed now.

User name

Dear @ChopNoc1,

Please confirm if the issue has been resolved. Be in aware in case you fail to respond within the given time frame we will consider your issue as resolved and your complaint will be closed accordingly. Please keep in mind that as per the AGCCS terms providing updates in a timely manner is a must.

Thank you for your cooperation.

User name
Hi Chopnoc1,

Apologies for the delay in our reply.

We refunded you your deposit on 2019-07-28 - could you please confirm so we can resolve this complaint?

Thanks,
PokerStars Casino
User name

This complaint has been reopened as per PokerStars Casino request and AskGamblers Complaints Team would like to give it one more try and help both parties involved into the dispute reaching to a satisfactory resolution.

PokerStars Casino Complaint Stats

Resolved 208 / 224
Avg. Amount $3,466
Avg. Complaint Duration 7 days
Avg. Response Time 2 days

PokerStars Casino Complaints

See all complaints for this casino
Not being able to access my account

Dear AskGamblers Team,

I am filing this formal complaint against PokerStars with the utmost urgency. I understand a previous submission may have been rejected; however, subsequent events have escalated the situation to a level of deliberate psychological abuse that I believe constitutes a Responsible Gaming emergency and requires your intervention as mediators.

My case is not about a simple payment delay, but about a documented pattern of conduct by the operator designed to inflict maximum stress and emotional harm.

Before narrating the facts, I want to make it clear that I have evidence to support every point I am about to mention. I have the entire chronology fully documented; therefore, this case is not an attempt at defamation.

Detailed Summary of the Pattern of Abuse:

The obstruction process from PokerStars has included multiple acts of bad faith, but I wish to focus on three key events that demonstrate a pattern of manipulation:

First Deception (May 26, 2025): After a month of a frustrating verification process, I received two official emails from PokerStars informing me that my account had been "reinstated." However, upon attempting to withdraw my funds, I discovered the account was still restricted. When I complained, they responded that the account was under a "security review," proving the reinstatement notification was deceptive.

Second Deception (June 8, 2025): The pattern repeated. I received another official email assuring me my account was verified and active. Again, this was false. The account remained blocked.

The Final Low Blow (July 11, 2025): This was the most cruel and calculated act. The sequence of events was as follows:

a. The False Resolution (11:32 AM): I received an email from agent "Saketh" with "very good news," confirming my account was reinstated. This time, I was able to log in, giving me a real sense of relief and resolution.

b. The Cashier Trap: My sole intention was to withdraw my funds and end my relationship with the site. Upon accessing the cashier, all my withdrawal requests were blocked with an "unexpected error" message. Access to my money was still an illusion.

c. The Live Chat Stall: Seeking help, I contacted live chat. An agent deliberately kept me waiting for 30 minutes without providing any solution, increasing my anxiety.

d. The Punitive Closure: At the end of the wait, and without any explanation, my session was terminated. When I tried to log back in, the final message appeared: "Your Stars Account has been closed."

Analysis from a Responsible Gaming Perspective:

PokerStars' actions constitute a total failure in their duty of care and clear psychological abuse:

Deliberate Emotional Manipulation: The pattern of falsely reinstating an account only to block it again is a manipulation tactic that creates a cycle of hope and despair. It is extremely damaging to any player's well-being.

Creation of a Hostile and Unsafe Gaming Environment: A responsible operator must ensure a safe environment. PokerStars has done the opposite, creating an unpredictable, stressful, and punitive experience.

Punishment for Attempting to Withdraw Funds: I was penalized at the exact moment I tried to exercise my right to withdraw my own winnings. This is not only unfair but sends a dangerous message to the entire player community.

Requested Resolution:

I request the mediation of AskGamblers to achieve two objectives:

The immediate release of all funds that PokerStars is wrongfully withholding in my account.

That this pattern of conduct be investigated and formally recorded as a serious Responsible Gaming failure to warn other players of the psychological risk involved in dealing with this operator.

I trust that your platform will recognize the severity of these tactics and the need to protect players from this kind of abuse.

Sincerely,

<full name removed>

Status unsolved Unresolved
$150
Not withdrawal my dollar

After playing slot games on the PokerStars Casino website, my winnings are more than $5,724.11. But the pokerstars security team closed my account I can't get the remaining dollars in my account 2023-12-11 I received an email saying that you have permanently closed my account, so please withdraw the money. I have sent all the required documents but after a long time no reply security team- received On 01-18-2024, in order to withdraw money, please send a bank statement with information to withdraw money. I sent the documents as requested On 19-01-2024, I received an email asking me to send the bank statement of the ending 5203 completed card. I sent the documents as requested On 02-28-2024, please send me a screenshot showing the information of the internet bank that I use. I sent the photo as requested But on 04/23/2024, I was told that the address on your document does not match the address on pokerstars, so the document is not being accepted. because I contacted pokerstars live chat operator contacted Jeswina Jeswina checked my pokerstars account address but my pokerstars account and documents address matched she is told me 2024-05-06 I received an email from Pokerstars saying that your account is undergoing a security check, but my account already 2023-12-11 permanently closed pokerstars security team told me your account permanently closed because so please withdraw the money. I have sent all the required documents for 6 months passed but I can't withdraw the money 6 months ago, when the decision was made to close my account permanently and withdraw the money now 6 months after sent all the documents and requesting why again checking my account My account has already been checked and it has been decided that it will be permanently closed.

Status unsolved Unresolved
$5,742