888poker confiscated funds after I mentioned ADHD - Complaint filed with MGA

[pabetv]

Subject: Formal Complaint: Unjustified Account Closure and Fund Confiscation Following a Misinterpreted "Responsible Gaming" Comment.

Operator: 888poker Username: pabetv

Details of Complaint:

I am filing this formal complaint against 888poker for the disproportionate and punitive actions taken against my account, resulting in its permanent closure and the illegal confiscation of my funds.

Summary of Events:

1. My account was suspended over a year ago following a support chat interaction regarding a forgotten deposit bonus code.
2. In the chat, I made a casual comment that I have ADHD to explain my distraction. This was not a declaration of a gambling problem or a request for help.
3. The account was suspended immediately. I was given the impression that the suspension would be temporary, for a period between 6 to 12 months.
4. Believing this was a standard temporary suspension, I patiently waited for over a year for my account to be automatically reinstated. I was acting in good faith, assuming access would be restored after the maximum period had passed.
5. When the account was not reinstated, I began sending emails to support, which were completely ignored.
6. Finally, after my most recent email on or around October 2, 2025, I received a response from "Kaycee" stating my account was closed due to a "business decision" and my funds had been confiscated.

Grounds for Complaint:

1. Gross Misapplication of Responsible Gaming Policies: 888poker has used a casual comment as a pretext for the most extreme measure possible. This is a gross overreach, punishing a player rather than protecting them.
2. Unjustified Confiscation of Funds: This is the most critical issue. Even if 888poker decided to close the account as a precaution, there are absolutely no grounds for confiscating my $20 balance. My funds were deposited legitimately, and I have not engaged in any fraudulent activity. Seizing funds in this context is a punitive action that abuses their own policies for financial gain.

Desired Resolution: I request that the MGA investigates this case and compels 888poker to:

1. Provide a specific, justifiable reason for the account closure beyond the vague "business decision."
2. Immediately return my confiscated $20 balance.
3. Ideally, reinstate my account, recognizing that their reaction was disproportionate to the situation.

This action by 888poker is not a protective measure; it is a punitive one that harms consumers. I trust the MGA will address this serious matter.

Sincerely,

Paolo Roberto Gorga Alviani

 

[Goggelheimer]

Subject: Formal Complaint: Unjustified Account Closure and Fund Confiscation Following a Misinterpreted "Responsible Gaming" Comment.

Operator: 888poker Username: pabetv

Details of Complaint:

I am filing this formal complaint against 888poker for the disproportionate and punitive actions taken against my account, resulting in its permanent closure and the illegal confiscation of my funds.

Summary of Events:

1. My account was suspended over a year ago following a support chat interaction regarding a forgotten deposit bonus code.
2. In the chat, I made a casual comment that I have ADHD to explain my distraction. This was not a declaration of a gambling problem or a request for help.
3. The account was suspended immediately. I was given the impression that the suspension would be temporary, for a period between 6 to 12 months.
4. Believing this was a standard temporary suspension, I patiently waited for over a year for my account to be automatically reinstated. I was acting in good faith, assuming access would be restored after the maximum period had passed.
5. When the account was not reinstated, I began sending emails to support, which were completely ignored.
6. Finally, after my most recent email on or around October 2, 2025, I received a response from "Kaycee" stating my account was closed due to a "business decision" and my funds had been confiscated.

Grounds for Complaint:

1. Gross Misapplication of Responsible Gaming Policies: 888poker has used a casual comment as a pretext for the most extreme measure possible. This is a gross overreach, punishing a player rather than protecting them.
2. Unjustified Confiscation of Funds: This is the most critical issue. Even if 888poker decided to close the account as a precaution, there are absolutely no grounds for confiscating my $20 balance. My funds were deposited legitimately, and I have not engaged in any fraudulent activity. Seizing funds in this context is a punitive action that abuses their own policies for financial gain.

Desired Resolution: I request that the MGA investigates this case and compels 888poker to:

1. Provide a specific, justifiable reason for the account closure beyond the vague "business decision."
2. Immediately return my confiscated $20 balance.
3. Ideally, reinstate my account, recognizing that their reaction was disproportionate to the situation.

This action by 888poker is not a protective measure; it is a punitive one that harms consumers. I trust the MGA will address this serious matter.

Sincerely,

Paolo Roberto Gorga Alviani

Interesting, but I don't think CardsChat Forum is the right place.
The post here will not take the MGA into action.
Better is to get in contact with the MGA, link here : MGA
And be advised to have a good lawyer.
I don´t think they will do anything on the request of normal single person.
Also think about the amount of money that you claim and if it is worth to begin an international legal matter.

 

[bablovod]

Subject: Formal Complaint

I've seen all your complaints over the past year. It's a shame, I can only sympathize with the fact that the problem could not be solved (((

 

[YLAN]

Is it worth the headache & heartbreak? Can u just say u lost $20 in a cash game & move on? There are other poker sites out there to play the games u enjoy & make better use of your time.

 

[Sunz of Beaches]

There is probably more to this and without a screenshot of the actual conversation we only have one side of the story.

Time to move on imo. 20 Bucks and a missed lol bonus code certainly not worth all that hustle.

 

[LUKADONCICMVP]

move on we don´t live in the past.

 

[Brigistul]

If they go to such lengths to prevent you from cashing out $20, I wonder what difficulties I would have faced if I had $1000 in my account! This platform only creates problems for players who want to withdraw their money! In my opinion, we are wasting our time playing on 888Poker, and I don’t understand why, after so many complaints from our players, CChat is not taking any action — for example, discussing with them to stop causing these issues and to ensure that the method used (the last deposit) is accepted for withdrawals without additional formalities! What this platform is doing is unbelievable!!!! And yet, we still have Freeroll tournaments, but I would have preferred those tournaments to be on GGPoker, which does not have problems with withdrawals!

 

[puzzlefish]

Post the chat OP. Let's see the casual comment.

 

[Brigistul]

Subject: Formal Complaint: Unjustified Account Closure and Fund Confiscation Following a Misinterpreted "Responsible Gaming" Comment.

Operator: 888poker Username: pabetv

Details of Complaint:

I am filing this formal complaint against 888poker for the disproportionate and punitive actions taken against my account, resulting in its permanent closure and the illegal confiscation of my funds.

Summary of Events:

1. My account was suspended over a year ago following a support chat interaction regarding a forgotten deposit bonus code.
2. In the chat, I made a casual comment that I have ADHD to explain my distraction. This was not a declaration of a gambling problem or a request for help.
3. The account was suspended immediately. I was given the impression that the suspension would be temporary, for a period between 6 to 12 months.
4. Believing this was a standard temporary suspension, I patiently waited for over a year for my account to be automatically reinstated. I was acting in good faith, assuming access would be restored after the maximum period had passed.
5. When the account was not reinstated, I began sending emails to support, which were completely ignored.
6. Finally, after my most recent email on or around October 2, 2025, I received a response from "Kaycee" stating my account was closed due to a "business decision" and my funds had been confiscated.

Grounds for Complaint:

1. Gross Misapplication of Responsible Gaming Policies: 888poker has used a casual comment as a pretext for the most extreme measure possible. This is a gross overreach, punishing a player rather than protecting them.
2. Unjustified Confiscation of Funds: This is the most critical issue. Even if 888poker decided to close the account as a precaution, there are absolutely no grounds for confiscating my $20 balance. My funds were deposited legitimately, and I have not engaged in any fraudulent activity. Seizing funds in this context is a punitive action that abuses their own policies for financial gain.

Desired Resolution: I request that the MGA investigates this case and compels 888poker to:

1. Provide a specific, justifiable reason for the account closure beyond the vague "business decision."
2. Immediately return my confiscated $20 balance.
3. Ideally, reinstate my account, recognizing that their reaction was disproportionate to the situation.

This action by 888poker is not a protective measure; it is a punitive one that harms consumers. I trust the MGA will address this serious matter.

Sincerely,

Paolo Roberto Gorga Alviani

If they go to such lengths to prevent you from cashing out $20, I wonder what difficulties I would have faced if I had $1000 in my account! This platform only creates problems for players who want to withdraw their money! In my opinion, we are wasting our time playing on 888Poker, and I don’t understand why, after so many complaints from our players, CChat is not taking any action — for example, discussing with them to stop causing these issues and to ensure that the method used (the last deposit) is accepted for withdrawals without additional formalities! What this platform is doing is unbelievable!!!! And yet, we still have Freeroll tournaments, but I would have preferred those tournaments to be on GGPoker, which does not have problems with withdrawals!

 

[puzzlefish]

If they go to such lengths to prevent you from cashing out $20, I wonder what difficulties I would have faced if I had $1000 in my account! This platform only creates problems for players who want to withdraw their money! In my opinion, we are wasting our time playing on 888Poker, and I don’t understand why, after so many complaints from our players, CChat is not taking any action — for example, discussing with them to stop causing these issues and to ensure that the method used (the last deposit) is accepted for withdrawals without additional formalities! What this platform is doing is unbelievable!!!! And yet, we still have Freeroll tournaments, but I would have preferred those tournaments to be on GGPoker, which does not have problems with withdrawals!

It's almost guaranteed that this is way more than just about $20 and 888 has a reason for doing what they did. Let's see what the OP actually said to them.

 

[heguli82]

I would like to know where the line is?

I think I've talked to different customer services when im under different substances, so the line is not that.

What about if i ask them ride home? That im from galaxy far away, and that my ship broke down?

 

[fundiver199]

Immediately return my confiscated $20 balance.

And be advised to have a good lawyer.

"A good lawyer" would make sense, if the confiscated amount was $20k, but for $20 for sure you must be joking, or you did not read his entire post? If OP is relaying the events correctly, it sucks, that this happened to him, but he should clearly just move on with his life. There are many other poker sites to play on, and then maybe next time be super careful to not say anything in a chat or email, that can be misinterpreted as having a gambling problem.

 

[moots]

If they go to such lengths to prevent you from cashing out $20, I wonder what difficulties I would have faced if I had $1000 in my account! This platform only creates problems for players who want to withdraw their money! In my opinion, we are wasting our time playing on 888Poker, and I don’t understand why, after so many complaints from our players, CChat is not taking any action — for example, discussing with them to stop causing these issues and to ensure that the method used (the last deposit) is accepted for withdrawals without additional formalities! What this platform is doing is unbelievable!!!! And yet, we still have Freeroll tournaments, but I would have preferred those tournaments to be on GGPoker, which does not have problems with withdrawals!

If you feel you are wasting your time playing on 888, why don't you stop playing on 888? It's that simple.

 

[bowserdon]

888 has always been good to me,re:cashout

 

[Pavelmiyah]

I just play 888 poker no one day i cant cash-out. But its best site i know

 

[pabetv]

Interesting, but I don't think CardsChat Forum is the right place.
The post here will not take the MGA into action.
Better is to get in contact with the MGA, link here : MGA
And be advised to have a good lawyer.
I don´t think they will do anything on the request of normal single person.
Also think about the amount of money that you claim and if it is worth to begin an international legal matter.

You are absolutely right, and thank you for the advice. That's exactly the step I took.

Just to be clear for everyone: I only filed the MGA complaint yesterday. The reason I waited over a year is that I genuinely believed it was just a temporary "punishment" or suspension, as the support agent mentioned a 6 to 12-month period.

I patiently waited for that entire time, expecting my account to be reinstated automatically. It was only after a year had passed and nothing happened that I realized the suspension was permanent and I had to escalate the issue.

 

[pabetv]

Hey everyone,

First, I want to sincerely thank you all for the support and for taking the time to engage with my situation. I see there are some valid questions and some skepticism, so I want to clarify exactly what happened for everyone.

The Conversation and The Instant Ban

The issue happened in a split second. I was in a support chat trying to claim a 100% deposit bonus that I had forgotten to enter the code for. My exact, literal comment was a self-deprecating joke:

"Ahh, I must have forgotten to put in the code for the 100% bonus, it must have been my ADHD."

The reaction from the support agent was instant and robotic, as if a security protocol was triggered. They immediately started typing in red text in the chat, saying something like: "According to guideline X, your account will be suspended for 6 months..."

It all happened so fast. I tried to immediately backtrack, typing things like "no, no, it's a joke hahaha" and "wait, calm down". But it felt like I was talking to a wall. The agent continued the automated-sounding script, and before I could even finish typing, the client closed and I was logged out.

For those asking for a screenshot of the chat: there was literally no time. From my joke to being kicked out of my account, it was a matter of seconds. I was still trying to explain myself when the door was shut.

"It's Just $20" vs. The Principle of the Matter

To those saying I should move on because "it's only $20" – I completely understand that perspective. But for me, this is no longer about the money. It's about the principle.

Should a company this large be able to treat a customer this way? To instantly close an account and confiscate funds based on a single, completely misunderstood, harmless comment? I don't think so.

As a player from Brazil, it's hard not to feel that they simply don't care about customers from certain regions. My minimum goal is to get my funds back, but my main goal is to fight for justice and show that they can't just steamroll their players.

Thank you again for all the support. I've filed my formal complaint with the MGA, and I will keep this thread updated.

 

[Sunz of Beaches]

Hey everyone,

First, I want to sincerely thank you all for the support and for taking the time to engage with my situation. I see there are some valid questions and some skepticism, so I want to clarify exactly what happened for everyone.

The Conversation and The Instant Ban

The issue happened in a split second. I was in a support chat trying to claim a 100% deposit bonus that I had forgotten to enter the code for. My exact, literal comment was a self-deprecating joke:

"Ahh, I must have forgotten to put in the code for the 100% bonus, it must have been my ADHD."

The reaction from the support agent was instant and robotic, as if a security protocol was triggered. They immediately started typing in red text in the chat, saying something like: "According to guideline X, your account will be suspended for 6 months..."

This is so weird and the only more or less logical conclusion basically is that "support" there is "trained" to react instantly if someone mentions the word deposits together with any personal condition.

Could be also a case of misunderstanding. Was this conversation in Portuguese or in English?

 

[puzzlefish]

Maybe @888Rep would be able to post this chat with OP's permission for everyone to see? I would think 888 has this kind of stuff recorded and stored somewhere on their records.

 

[MK_]

I would ask you to post the entire unedited chat.... but no one ever does,

I wouldn't waste 20 minutes on 20 bucks yet alone an entire year,

...time cannot be replaced, but you do you👍

 

[pabetv]

This is so weird and the only more or less logical conclusion basically is that "support" there is "trained" to react instantly if someone mentions the word deposits together with any personal condition.

Could be also a case of misunderstanding. Was this conversation in Portuguese or in English?

english. with tradutor lol

 

[pabetv]

move on we don´t live in the past.

NEVER haha

 

[pabetv]

I would ask you to post the entire unedited chat.... but no one ever does,

I wouldn't waste 20 minutes on 20 bucks yet alone an entire year,

...time cannot be replaced, but you do you👍

To the people pointing out that I'm spending a lot of time on just $20 - I hear you, and I want to be clear about something.

I am not "wasting" my time. I didn't spend the last year paralyzed and waiting. I lived my life. Writing a post on a forum takes a few minutes. The time investment here is minimal, but the principle is huge.

Let's be honest: this stopped being about the $20 a long time ago.

This is about principle. It's about a massive corporation that messed with a customer, confiscated their money without proper cause, and then completely ignored them.

Call it ego, call it a sense of justice, call it whatever you want. I call it not letting them get away with it.

 

[Sunz of Beaches]

english. with tradutor lol

Yeah so they probably misunderstood whatever u wrote.

Maybe @888Rep would be able to post this chat with OP's permission for everyone to see? I would think 888 has this kind of stuff recorded and stored somewhere on their records

Zero chance this is happening, even with permission of OP. Lol.

 

[pabetv]

Maybe @888Rep would be able to post this chat with OP's permission for everyone to see? I would think 888 has this kind of stuff recorded and stored somewhere on their records.

It's almost guaranteed that this is way more than just about $20 and 888 has a reason for doing what they did. Let's see what the OP actually said to them.

Ahh, I must have forgotten to put in the code for the 100% bonus, it must have been my ADHD."

The reaction from the support agent was instant and robotic, as if a security protocol was triggered. They immediately started typing in red text in the chat, saying something like: "According to guideline X, your account will be suspended for 6 months..."

It all happened so fast. I tried to immediately backtrack, typing things like "no, no, it's a joke hahaha" and "wait, calm down". But it felt like I was talking to a wall. The agent continued the automated-sounding script, and before I could even finish typing, the client closed and I was logged out.

For those asking for a screenshot of the chat: there was literally no time. From my joke to being kicked out of my account, it was a matter of seconds. I was still trying to explain myself when the door was shut.