Online casino 666BET and its owner Metro Play Limited have finally broken silence on having their operating license suspended by both the UK and the Alderney Gambling Commissions.
On March 20, the UK gambling regulator posted on its website that it had decided to suspend the aforementioned company’s license but did point to any specific reason for this. It only stated the gaming operator could not continue taking bets.
Since then, the online casino has been taken down and players could not withdraw their account funds. However, the UK Gambling Commission pointed out in its statement that no restrictions have been imposed on the processing of players’ winnings.
Earlier this week, customers of the suspended site signed a petition in which they demanded the immediate return of their money. It was then launched on Change.org, known to be a politically-oriented campaigning site.
According to the petition, thousands of players have been denied access to their winnings ranging between £5 and £60,000. Furthermore, they have been extremely worried about the complete lack of any communication from the operator.
Soon after the 666BET online casino was shut down, Paul Bell, an executive at Metro Play, was arrested under suspicions of money laundering and fraud. A spokesperson for the gambling operator stated that the investigation has nothing to do with the company’s activities.
As mentioned above, 666BET finally broke silence after refusing to comment on the matter for almost a month now. Yesterday, the gaming company released a statement on its official Facebook page saying that as a web-based operator it needed to be online in order for its customers to be able to access their funds.
The UK Gambling Commission, however, has previously explained that 666BET would not need a license so as to allow its customers to withdraw their money from their accounts.
The online casino provider further explained that in order to be brought back online, 666BET would need help from a third-party company. It seems that soon after owner Metro Play Ltd. had both its UK and Alderney licenses suspended, some of its third-party providers, including payment ones, put an end to their contracts with the gaming company.
666BET also pointed out it has been in negotiations with a particular third-party provider that would make it possible for it to return online. The unnamed company, however, informed the gaming operator that their partnership should be approved by the UK Gambling Commission.
Last but not least, the gambling company promised that its customers will be fully refunded and this will happen as soon as possible.
