Has Paddy Power suspended your account or imposed a stake limit? Don’t panic, this is actually quite common in the world of sports betting.
Every year, countless betting accounts face closure or bet restrictions from firms like Paddy Power. They know that their actions might seem unjust, but they don’t care. You see, you only become aware of these restrictions and limits because you are placing mathematically profitable bets. At this point, you’re no longer of use to them as a customer (unprofitable).
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about stake restrictions:
- Why Paddy Power and other bookmakers limit accounts?
- What strategies cause bookmakers to limit accounts?
- Why have Paddy Power removed my promotions?
- What can I do if Paddy Power refuse to payout?
- How much do Paddy Power let you win before limiting your account?
Why Do Paddy Power Limit Winning Accounts?
Paddy Power is well-known for limiting or even banning accounts that consistently win. Why do they do this? Simply put, it affects their bottom line.
In the past, only the sharpest gamblers would encounter such restrictions. However, in recent years, Paddy Power has significantly lowered the bar for what they deem as “winning too much.” With technological advancements, they’ve become adept at maximizing profits by clamping down on those who consistently outsmart them. It’s quite a controversial practice.
The strategy behind their actions is clear. By not completely closing accounts, they can claim, “we don’t ban winning accounts.” Some bettors then shift to the gaming/casino section of their platform, where it is basically impossible to have a long-term edge.
In essence, this is Paddy Power’s way of subtly pushing you out. A kind of ‘shadow ban’ if you will. While they still allow you to place bets, the opportunity for profit is minimal at best.
Bookie’s latest weapon appears to be deposit limits. Regulation has allowed them to weaponise ‘responsibility checks’ to filter out winning too. Some of the companies even use them to enforce their terms and conditions (once they’ve seen your bank statements).
What Strategies Cause Bookmakers to Limit/Ban Accounts?
The short answer to this question is unfortunately….. any strategy that wins money in the long term. Once the risk management team see evidence of this your account will be gubbed (banned/limited). There are some strategies that will allow you to win for longer but ultimately all winning strategies lead to the inevitable.
- Matched Betting
- Arbitrage Betting
- Value Betting
- Taking Value Horse The Evening Before (Beating the Betfair SP)
- Bad EW Value Betting
Are common strategies that will lead to a bookmaker like Paddypower closing or limiting your account. Other less common strategies my see your account last longer.
These strategies include:
- In-Play Value Betting
- Prop Betting
- In-Play Arbitrage Betting
In-play betting tends to be one of the strategies that youc an profit from for longer. Due to the fact that it is harder for Paddypower to compare odds with the rest of the market. Pre-match it is very easy to look at the closing odds with sharper bookmakers/exchange and know you are making value bets.
When the time comes however and Paddpower’s risk management team see you are a profitable long term bettor. Expect to receive an email…..
Promotions Removed: Why Have Paddy Power Cancelled My Free Bets?
A somewhat similar but separate issue is the removal of free bets and concessions from accounts.
Paddy Power are known for doing this if they think customers are using their free bets and promotions without losing money. What they don’t say in public is ” they only allow you to have them if you’re betting at bad value.”
Customers who are using a matched betting strategy are most likely to receive this email.
If you’ve received an email like this you’re all out of luck. There are no more freebies on your account, and there’s nothing you can do about it. This is basically Paddypower saying “We realise you are a sharp bettor and no longer wish to give you free money”.
What to do if Paddy Power Refuses to Payout:
Regrettably, firms like Paddy Power like to avoid paying out winnings on the basis that someone else sent you money. There are instances where they might return the original bet stake, alleging that the wager has been voided, akin to the scenario highlighted in this Guardian article. Should you find any bookie asking for your bank statements you should see this article.
Ensure you follow the basic processes they advise before pursuing more intensive measures. Engaging in legal battles with associated high costs is unnecessary if you haven’t consulted with settlement services like eCOGRA first. They are an autonomous entity established to mediate these kinds of disagreements.
What you should remember is that this is just a game to the bookmakers. Their strategy hinges on capping potential earnings and grinding you into submission with the complaints process. It doesn’t need to be stressful, send the relevant messages and follow up when there’s a response. So many don’t, meaning they get to keep winnings.
Being prepared for their tactics ahead of time is the best defence I know.
What Can You Do About Paddy Power Restricting Your Account?
The nuances of account limitations are tucked away in Paddy Power’s terms and conditions. There’s limited room for contesting the restriction itself. But, if they are withholding your winnings, I’d advise you to refer to the guidance further in this piece.
Previously, I’ve come across suggestions for maintaining multiple accounts. Yet, I’d caution against this due to its questionable legality.
While it’s an unsavoury business practice, nearly every prominent betting brand has adopted this approach. Sometimes, they might even go a step beyond and decline payouts.
How Much Will Paddy Power Let You Win?
Understanding the decision-making process behind Paddy Power’s actions can be quite complex, and much of it remains internal. However, I can share my personal experience: after accumulating just a few hundred pounds in winnings, Paddy Power restricted my bets to £1 stakes. Interestingly, this isn’t necessarily about the amount you’ve won. High-stakes gamblers, especially those in the VIP bracket, often wager large sums without any problems.
The crux of the matter lies in the value of your bets. If your wagers consistently offer value and outperform the closing odds, you stand to gain over time. Paddy Power monitors betting strategies closely. If they detect that your approach consistently beats their odds, they might decide to cap your wagers or impose other restrictions on your account. This ensures that they maintain the upper hand, protecting their profit margins against savvy bettors.
A Key Insight From a Professional Bettor:
Regrettably, this might not be the news you were hoping for, but it’s the Paddy Power way.
They’re all jokes and fun in their marketing, but when it comes down to business the company is ruthless. I trust this article has provided insight if you’ve faced stake restrictions or had your betting activities curtailed with Paddy Power. For sustained success in betting, consider opening an account with a betting exchange, where you won’t face limitations or restrictions on your victories.
Also, send your local MP an email complaining that the Gambling Commission don’t do their job!
Related: What Are The Best VPNs for Betting? 10 Recommendations
3 thoughts on “Locked Out? Resolving Paddy Power Account Restriction Issues…”
How can I withdraw my balance now my account has been restricted
If you’ve been stake restricted there shouldn’t be anything to stop you withdrawing? The Gambling Commission website specifically states they shouldn’t hold withdrawals.
My account restricted and I can’t log in so how do I contact or email them