YakoCasino - Tournament winner

Hi I won the slingo tournament for the month of December on yako casino. I was top of the leaderboard when it finished on December 31st. The prize for winning was 2,000 pounds. It stated the winner would be paid within 7 days. I live chatted them 2 to 3 times and emailed them the same just to confirm I had won but every answer was its in the hands of the marketing team who will inform you as soon as possible. I finally got a response from them this morning 9th Jan saying I will not receive the prize due to my account not being verified. I responded back to them stating you've never asked me for verification and you have paid my withdrawals no problem before.I said I was on the ieaderboard for over a good two weeks and eventually moved to the top. I made more deposits than usual to achieve 1st position and now I'm being told hard luck.why have they waited so long tell me. So I've been through 9 days happily thinking I've 2 grand to come. What a kick in the guts. Can you help in anyway. Thank you.