Tracy Nicholl, a Marinette County resident, only spent a day playing slots on the online gambling platform Jackpot Rabbit before the company took her bank account information and banned her from the app.
After seeing an ad for the gambling app last winter, Nicoll was hopeful that she could earn some quick cash. Jackpot Rabbit even offered Nicholl $5 to play on the platform.
But the risks, she said, have outweighed any potential rewards.
“You can pay to play, but you can never cash out,” she said.
Once Nichols won $150 from a slot machine game, the app offered an option to redeem the reward if she entered her address, driver’s license number and bank details.
But once Nicholl submitted her personal information, she said she was blocked from the platform and never received any money. For months, she’s attempted to contact the company to request access and demand that they delete her personal information.
“They wouldn’t answer me,” Nicoll said.
Consumer protection advocates say online gambling sites like Jackpot Rabbit that allow people to play slots and casino-style gambling games for virtual rewards have spiked in popularity, allowing the under-regulated industry to target unsuspecting consumers.
Over the past three years, the BBB tracked nearly 200 scam reports and more than 10,000 business complaints related to online gambling and gaming.
Jackpot Rabbit’s owner, UTech Solutions LLC, has an F rating and 25 complaints with the BBB. It did not respond to the Journal Sentinel’s request for comment.
Nicholl has played on digital gambling platforms like Jackpot Rabbit before, but said this was the first time a company has taken her personal data and prevented her from playing again.
After submitting her personal information to Jackpot Rabbit, she said scam callers began contacting her daily − morning and night. On several occasions, she said untraceable transactions of up to $300 were charged to her Chime banking card, which she disputed with the bank.
“I just want to know why they can do that without it being regulated or illegal,” she said.
Public Investigator spoke with gambling and financial experts about what consumers should look out for to avoid online gambling scams.
Is online gambling legal in Wisconsin?
Generally, no. Real-money online casinos are not legal in Wisconsin. Online casinos are only supposed to offer games for entertainment and sweepstakes-based prizes, not cash rewards.
Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia allow real-money online casinos.
One exception is online sports betting – which was recently legalized – but only when conducted by federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin.
“If online gambling is not legal in your state, don’t gamble online, because it’s not going to be safe,” said Joshua Grubbs, a professor at the University of New Mexico specializing in gambling addiction. “There are no protections for you at that point.”
If I am offered “free money” to gamble online, should I play?
According to Grubbs, there is no such thing as “free money” on an online gambling platform.
“Any money these companies give away, they intend to get back,” Grubbs said.
Offerings of free spins or cash advances are intended to hook people and incentivize their gambling. When it is time to cash out, consumers are often required to pay more to continue playing.
Is it normal to be asked to share banking or personal information on online gambling sites?
In states where online gambling is legal, it is normal for a consumer to be asked to provide information for money transfers, said Lisa Schiller, the senior director of investigations for the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau.
The app or website operator must follow strict rules, so it is important for consumers to read the terms and conditions and ensure the account is made with a legitimate provider.
But in Wisconsin, if you come across a gambling platform that is not for sports betting and run by tribal organizations, they are not operating legally. Consumers should be cautious when clicking ads or engaging with these platforms.
What are red flags to look out for in online gambling sites?
Many online gambling websites like Jackpot Rabbit often only allow consumers to claim their winnings if they pay additional fees to add extra credits to their account. These costs can range from $20 to $250, consumers have reported to the BBB.
Grubbs said the requirement is intended to keep consumers playing so the gambling site can turn a profit.
Before playing online gambling games, search the company name to see if other consumers have reported concerns to organizations like the BBB or left bad reviews.
What should I do if I believe my personal information was stolen?
Schiller offered the following tips for addressing stolen personal or financial information.
Tamia Fowlkes is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at tfowlkes@usatodayco.com.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: She won $150 on an online gambling site. Then, they blocked her.
Reporting by Tamia Fowlkes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Tamia Fowlkes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
