Online gambling is fun and all, but ever wondered what happens once you actually need to withdraw funds from your account? After all, while we primarily play casino games to have fun there’s always the chance, however remote, of getting some nice winnings. Should you withdraw your cash in that case, or should you simply leave them in your account in order to play with later?
Withdrawing your funds is a good idea, especially if you have a decent amount saved up, but there’s always the worry that the casino might stop you from getting your hands on them. What if, when making your withdrawal, you decide you want to put those funds back to your account? Can you reverse a withdrawal? The regulations can be a bit murky in these particular cases, so join us as we explore your rights when it comes to withdrawing your funds from your favourite UK online casino.
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What is a Withdrawal Lock?
As the name suggests, a withdrawal lock - sometimes also known as a “lock withdrawal”, “cancel-withdrawal block”, or “withdrawal lock feature” - is a tool that stops you from cancelling a withdrawal once you’ve asked for it. In other words, once you’ve clicked on the “Withdraw” button the funds will be ring-fenced and cannot be returned to your account. Simple, right?
But why would you want to stop yourself from cancelling a withdrawal? The answer is that getting your cash back from an online casino is not an instant affair. Due to the checks and processes required online casino withdrawals can take anything from a few hours to multiple days, and during that period you might find yourself wondering if you should simply cancel your withdrawal request and put those funds right back into your account. After all, that way you’ll be able to play some more! Enter the withdrawal lock, which stops you from making such a decision.
This seemingly simple capability makes withdrawal locks a great responsible gambling tool, one that shows that the online casino actually takes player safety seriously. Unfortunately this feature is not available at all sites - and we’ve actually heard that some casinos have quietly removed their withdrawal lock tool. This is a massive shame, as casino sites should be doing their utmost to promote responsible gambling in all aspects, instead of slyly encouraging players to spend more than they should on their games.
Tips for Safe Withdrawals
Want some pointers on how to withdraw your online casino funds both safely and quickly? Then we got you right here:
- First off, play at a UKGC-registered online casino that offers the withdrawal lock option as a standard.
- Withdrawal checks require some form of ID verification. The site will demand scans of these documents when you register your account, so always provide the right documentation so that they’re verified before you start making withdrawals.
- Always play responsibly by budgeting your spending. Set a bankroll, and stick to it. Remember that you’re ultimately playing to have fun and relax, not make a profit.
What is a Reverse Withdrawal?
What is a Reverse Withdrawal
If a withdrawal lock is a measure to stop you from cancelling a withdrawal, then a reverse withdrawal is the exact opposite. It’s the option that allows you to cancel your withdrawal and put your funds right back in your account so that you can continue playing with them. This used to be a common option available in most UK casino sites, who argued that it’s a matter of player choice, but everything changed in 2020 thanks to the UKGC.
In February 2021 the UKGC announced a set of changes to its online gaming regulations. Some of these covered how games work through the outright ban of auto-play and fast spin features, as well as visuals that celebrate wins worth less than the current stake. Another ban involves the permanent ban of reverse withdrawals, something all casino operators holding a UKGC licence had to implement by October 2021.
This ban on reverse withdrawals, together with all the other required changes, was the result of a consultation process whose results were published in July 2020. It concluded that reverse withdrawals presented a risk to players, since they indeed tempt one to go back to gambling. From our experience this was indeed the case, since we’ve actually seen instances where online casinos would reply to inquiries regarding pending withdrawals that the player could reverse their withdrawal request and go back to playing instead of waiting for their cash.
“Our proposal was based on evidence that shows that the reverse withdrawal function presents a risk to engaged and vulnerable gamblers, from research, evidence from our casework, and information provided by people with lived experience,” the UKGC’s prohibition of reverse withdrawals for all remote operators reads. “The proposal followed the additional guidance issued to remote operators on 12 May 2020, which stated that operators should prevent reverse withdrawal options for consumers until further notice.”
A (Former) Helping Hand: Manual Flushing
As seen above, the UKGC has banned reverse withdrawals. Combined with withdrawal locks this ensures that players could get their funds back without the temptation of getting to play with their winnings. However the ban has led to many casinos removing what was a very helpful feature - manual flushing.
Manual flushing is an addition to the withdrawal process that ensures all your funds go straight to processing, thus eliminating the temptation of reversing the withdrawal. Now, as we mentioned earlier reverse withdrawals are indeed banned, but there’s always the risk that your online casino might not have its players’ best intentions at heart by leaving a sneaky “pending period” for payments. Enter the manual flush, which eliminates all temptation with a simple click. It’s not flashy, but it is the kind of subtle feature that adds an extra layer of protection to high-risk players that find themselves on the lucky side of the reels.
Withdraw All Your Funds with Peace of Mind!
The funds in your online casino account are yours, and you should be able to withdraw them whenever you want, especially if you manage to get a nice win. While UKGC has done a lot to enshrine this right for all players - for instance, you can withdraw your funds even when you have a bonus active - but there’s always space for improvements. Withdrawal locks are a great step, and we believe more online casinos should reinstate manual flushing functionality. We also recommend that you use fast transfer options whenever available.
All of that said, you’ll rarely find yourself worrying about having to withdraw large amounts of cash when playing at an online casino. After all, there’s one true winner in the gambling game, and that’s the casino itself. So always protect yourself by playing responsibly with a strictly set bankroll, and always do so with the aim of having fun, not making a profit. Maintain control, celebrate any winnings that might come along, and enjoy online casino games as the entertainment they are meant to be.
