In 2019 I used IBAS and was sceptical simply on the bases that they are funded by bookmakers and their resolution team whether intentional or otherwise are bound to form working relationships with individuals at a bookmaker and this may lead to bias and unbalanced decision, especially if the bookmaker on previous cases has built up credibility with IBAS.In my experience I found the fastest way to resolve a bet dispute and get your money is to firstly understand the bookmakers rules so that you can objectively challenge them. If you have acted honestly and not breached them, take them to court. Remember many bookmakers may have unfair terms, which have not been tested in court. The Gambling Commission is a regulatory body by the way and do not investigate disputes but you should let them know if a bookmaker has stolen your funds, as this will be a black mark against them.I have taken a Bookmaker to Court twice and succeeded on both occasions. A word of warning you do need to know what you are doing as they always have legal representation. In both my cases they defended the case in the hope I would drop the case. The process can be complicated as after issuing a MoneyClaim (a simple process). If the case ends up in a hearing even fast track, you need to be able to prepare multiple documents including a court bundle. You must be prepared to cross examine their witnesses and be cross examined yourself based only on the evidence in the court bundle. This isn’t for the faint hearted as the case might be scheduled for 1/2 or even 1 day. IBAS may be useful in less complex cases but where funds and winnings have been confiscated (stolen) (which wasn’t the situation in any of my cases) I really would go straight to court. If you are unable to prepare for the case I would strongly suggest you appoint a specialist solicitor familiar with gambling law. If you win their costs are likely to be awarded but you must realise that if you lose in court you may end up paying the bookmakers costs.The moral is:- the more people that become court savvy and the more cases brought to court the better chance bookmakers will rethink their stance. Their legal team cost money, and if they lose what savings are they making.My best bit of advice is all bets placed online take clear photographs as you place them with the bet ID time and date. If multiples as the winners come in take further photographs. Also regularly download your transaction history so that you are able to prove a long history. Most importantly a photo of your account settings. A/C no, name and address and that your account has been validated.Record everything online or on the phone and don’t resort to insults as a court will not look on this very favourably.
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The Independent Betting Adjudication Service, founded in 1998, is a third party organisation that settles disputes between gambling establishments registered with IBAS and their customers in the United Kingdom.
