What to Do If You Get Scammed by a Bookmaker

A complete toolkit for handling the nightmare scenario when a bookmaker refuses to pay your winnings or return your deposits. Step-by-step actions to recover your money.

So, you've been scammed by a bookmaker. First of all, take a deep breath and remember: you're not alone. Many have walked this frustrating path before you, and while it might feel like your money has vanished into the Bermuda Triangle of bad bets, there's hope yet.

Personally, with accounts at over 30 bookmakers throughout a betting career generating thousands and thousands of euros in profits, this has never happened. It hasn't happened in our network either. But once in a while, we do run into a complaint about a situation where a player has been unable to withdraw funds.

This guide is for that extremely unlikely scenario. If you get absolutely scammed by a bookmaker, here's exactly what to do.

Step 1: Confirm You've Been Scammed (Don't Panic Yet!)

Before you grab your pitchfork and storm the bookmaker's virtual gates, double-check whether it's truly a scam or just a misunderstanding.

Read through their terms and conditions. Yes, the fine print you skipped while signing up. Sometimes, those sneaky clauses hide unexpected fees or payout rules that could explain your missing winnings.

Check for:

• Bonus wagering requirements you haven't met
• Maximum withdrawal limits per day/week/month
• Verification requirements (KYC documents not submitted)
• Restricted markets or bet types in the terms
• Account verification pending

If everything checks out and they still won't budge—congratulations, you've officially joined the "I Got Scammed" club. Time to take action.

Step 2: Stop All Deposits Immediately

The very first thing you must do: Don't make any further deposits. Not a single euro more.

If a bookmaker is refusing to pay out your winnings or return your deposits, throwing more money at them is the worst possible decision. Stop immediately.

Step 3: Gather Evidence Like Sherlock Holmes

Now's the time to channel your inner detective. Start documenting everything.

Screenshot everything you can:

• Account details and balance
• All bets placed (including timestamps)
• Transaction history (deposits and withdrawal attempts)
• Correspondence with customer support (emails, live chats)
• Terms and conditions (especially relevant sections)
• Any suspicious activity or account changes
• Verification documents you've submitted

Just screenshot everything physical that you can get. This is really important for the future when escalating your case.

The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be. Think of it as building an airtight case for why you deserve your hard-earned cash back.

Step 4: Contact Customer Support Formally

Yes, politely. As tempting as it is to send an email filled with colorful language, keep things professional.

Be really clear and concise about what's happening:

1. Draft a formal complaint explaining the issue clearly
2. Attach all your evidence
3. Reference specific terms and conditions if applicable
4. Request a refund or resolution within a reasonable timeframe
5. Keep a copy of all communications

Sometimes, bookmakers will resolve disputes just to avoid bad PR. Give them a chance to fix their mistake first before escalating.

Contact the customer reps, send emails, and document every interaction. If you're still unable to get your money after exhausting customer support, it's time to escalate.

Step 5: Escalate to Regulatory Authorities

If the bookmaker ignores your plea or gives you the runaround, it's time to bring out the big guns.

Check if they're licensed by reputable regulatory bodies:

• UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) – File complaints at gamblingcommission.gov.uk
• Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) – Strong enforcement and player protection
• National regulatory bodies – File a complaint to your national gambling regulatory body

These organizations exist to protect players like you from shady operators. File a formal complaint with complete evidence.

Step 6: Report to SportsBook Review (SBR)

The best course of action is to make a complaint to SportsBook Review (SBR).

If many players—if enough players—are making complaints about the bookie, SportsBook Review will make an inquiry and the bookmakers have to take that seriously.

How to use SBR:

1. Visit SportsBook Review forums
2. Create a detailed post about your issue
3. Provide all evidence and documentation
4. File an official complaint through their system
5. Monitor responses and engage professionally

SBR has power in the industry. Bookmakers care about their reputation on SBR because it directly affects their customer acquisition.

Step 7: Contact Your Bank and Financial Institutions

Contact your bank or the financial institutions involved in the transactions.

There is a chance they might be able to do something about:

• The money flow to the bookmaker
• The deposits and transactions
• Chargebacks (if paid by credit card)
• Additional assistance or documentation

Your bank might not be able to reverse all transactions, but they can sometimes help, especially if you used credit cards for deposits.

Step 8: Inform App Stores

Bookmakers have mobile apps. If the bookmaker has an app on Apple App Store or Google Play Store, report the scam behavior.

File complaints with:

• Apple App Store (for iOS apps)
• Google Play Store (for Android apps)

App stores don't want scam apps on their platforms. Multiple complaints can lead to app removal, which puts pressure on the bookmaker.

Step 9: Spread the Word and Seek Allies

Public shaming can be surprisingly effective. Share your experience on forums, social media platforms, or review sites to warn others about the scam.

Where to share:

• Reddit sports betting communities
• Twitter/X with relevant hashtags
• Facebook sports betting groups
• Betting forums and discussion boards
• Trustpilot and review sites

You might even find fellow victims who can join forces with you—there's power in numbers. Plus, nothing motivates a scammy bookmaker like bad press.

Make sure you also tell your fellow sports betting friends in betting communities and Discord servers. Warn others before they make the same mistake.

Step 10: Keep Monitoring Your Accounts

Continue to monitor your account for any changes or updates. Sometimes resolutions take weeks.

Keep checking:

• Email for responses from support or regulators
• Your account status and balance
• Community forums for similar complaints
• Regulatory authority case status

Step 11: Legal Action as Your Last Resort

If all else fails and your losses are significant enough to justify it, consult a lawyer specializing in gambling disputes.

They can guide you through:

• Filing a lawsuit in appropriate jurisdiction
• Pursuing legal remedies
• Class action possibilities (if multiple victims)
• Cost-benefit analysis of legal action

While this step might sound intimidating and costly, sometimes it's necessary to get justice. Evaluate whether the amount at stake justifies legal fees.

Seek Professional Help If Needed

If nothing is working, you might then seek professional help. Maybe hire an investigator or a professional who specializes in dealing with bookmaker scams.

These specialists understand the industry and know how to navigate disputes effectively.

How FairOdds Terminal Helps

In FairOdds Terminal, we do our best that if we would see this kind of behavior from a bookmaker, it will be deleted from FairOdds Terminal.

There are over 200 bookmakers in FairOdds Terminal. We are trying all the time to make sure that the ones we include are safe and reliable.

If you run into a bookmaker that isn't safe or reliable, please let us know:

• Send us an email
• Report through customer support
• Share in community forums

Then we know to take proper actions and protect other users.

Bonus Tips for Avoiding Future Scams

Prevention is better than cure. Here's how to avoid bookmaker scams in the future:

• Stick to licensed bookmakers – UKGC or MGA licensed bookmakers are accountable
• Check reputations first – Read reviews on SBR, Trustpilot, forums before depositing
• Beware of too-good offers – "Guaranteed wins" or "insider tips" are fake
• Always read the fine print – Terms and conditions before depositing money
• Start with small deposits – Test withdrawal process before depositing large amounts
• Trust your gut – If something feels fishy, it probably is
• Use reputable bookmaker lists – Like those on FairOdds Terminal

Final Thoughts

This is very unlikely to happen, but if you do get scammed by a bookmaker, you now have a complete toolkit to handle that nightmare situation.

There are things you can do. It's not over. Follow the escalation process, gather evidence, contact authorities, and spread the word.

Most importantly: Choose your bookmakers carefully from the start. Stick to licensed, reputable books. Use trusted bookmaker lists and do your research before depositing.

Frequently Asked Questions