Bovada Confiscate Balance for using VPN?

[sportsbettor5]

From Bovada's terms of service:

6.2 Fraudulent Activity. If, in our reasonable discretion, we determine that a player has engaged in fraudulent, unlawful, dishonest or improper activity (including, without limitation, the usage of a VPN, proxy or similar service that masks or manipulates the identification of your real location, or by otherwise providing false or misleading information, or by making bets, wagers or poker play through a third party or on behalf of a third party) we reserve the right to immediately terminate or deny a player access to their Account. In such event, all Account balances (including both deposits and any winnings) shall be forfeited and we reserve the right to disclose information (including the identity of the player) to applicable parties including but not limited to banks, credit card companies and/or any person or entity that has the legal right to such information, and/or taking legal action against such player.
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Are there actually cases of Bovada confiscating player balances merely for using a VPN?

 

[Ace7550]

Not that I know. If they were confiscating legitimate players balances often there would be threads about it.

 

[ks1986]

Pretty sure they did back in the day when people were using it for poker.

 

[DontTailMe]

From Bovada's terms of service:

6.2 Fraudulent Activity. If, in our reasonable discretion, we determine that a player has engaged in fraudulent, unlawful, dishonest or improper activity (including, without limitation, the usage of a VPN, proxy or similar service that masks or manipulates the identification of your real location, or by otherwise providing false or misleading information, or by making bets, wagers or poker play through a third party or on behalf of a third party) we reserve the right to immediately terminate or deny a player access to their Account. In such event, all Account balances (including both deposits and any winnings) shall be forfeited and we reserve the right to disclose information (including the identity of the player) to applicable parties including but not limited to banks, credit card companies and/or any person or entity that has the legal right to such information, and/or taking legal action against such player.
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Are there actually cases of Bovada confiscating player balances merely for using a VPN?

I think the key phrase there is "engaged in fraudulent, unlawful, dishonest or improper activity". Using a VPN by itself wouldn't - or at least shouldn't - qualify. You'd have to be using a VPN for the purpose of committing an act like that.

As Ace said, if a VPN alone were cause for them to confiscate funds, then there would be a ton of complaints about it...and Bovada would have a huge PR mess on their hands.

 

[sportsbettor5]

I think the key phrase there is "engaged in fraudulent, unlawful, dishonest or improper activity". Using a VPN by itself wouldn't - or at least shouldn't - qualify. You'd have to be using a VPN for the purpose of committing an act like that.

As Ace said, if a VPN alone were cause for them to confiscate funds, then there would be a ton of complaints about it...and Bovada would have a huge PR mess on their hands.

I was thinking of signing up but that term had me spooked. I use a VPN for legitimate purposes, and I interpret Bovada's term as meaning that usage of a VPN is an example of "fraudulent, unlawful, dishonest or improper activity".

OTOH, you two make a very good point about PR so maybe I'll sign up after all but keep my balance low in case of an issue.

 

[DontTailMe]

I was thinking of signing up but that term had me spooked. I use a VPN for legitimate purposes, and I interpret Bovada's term as meaning that usage of a VPN is an example of "fraudulent, unlawful, dishonest or improper activity".

OTOH, you two make a very good point about PR so maybe I'll sign up after all but keep my balance low in case of an issue.

Yeah, it definitely could be read that way. It might be intentionally vague so that they have the freedom to do what is needed when they encounter someone they know are deceiving them. I can understand why you would be hesitant. But in my experience (and you'll find the experience of many other here), Bovada is not out to scam anyone. If it makes you feel any better, you could try writing to them with your question so that you have a response back in writing. Of course, you might get an answer you don't like, and customer service is notorious for getting things wrong. Up to you.

 

[ks1986]

You could turn off the VPN when accessing their site. I played poker professionally for 10+ years and I recall years ago trying to access their poker software from a restricted state using a VPN. I was having issues with the cashier so I called their support to figure out what was wrong and the agent goes "just turn off your VPN and you won't have issues"

 

[Ace7550]

Every offshore book has something in their T&C that says something like, "f*** around and we'll confiscate your money."
I just pay attention to their reputation and payouts. Bovada has a very good rep. Second only to BOL and BM. They have always paid me in a reasonable time frame and every gambling buddy I know also has a good opinion of them. It's definitely an out you want to utilize.

 

[DontTailMe]

Every offshore book has something in their T&C that says something like, "f*** around and we'll confiscate your money."
I just pay attention to their reputation and payouts. Bovada has a very good rep. Second only to BOL and BM. They have always paid me in a reasonable time frame and every gambling buddy I know also has a good opinion of them. It's definitely an out you want to utilize.

+1

In fact, it's my opinion that Bovada has gotten even friendlier in recent years.