Hi everyone,
This is a great forum with a lot of useful information and helpful people. I want to share my experience and help others identify the Acquirer behind casino transactions.
The most reliable way is to obtain the information directly from your bank/card issuer.
STEP 1 — GET THE ACQUIRER DATA
Ask your bank for the underlying transaction data for EACH transaction.
Request:
• ARN (Acquirer Reference Number)
• Acquirer ID / ICA number
• Acquirer's registered legal company name
• MID (Merchant ID)
• MCC (Merchant Category Code)
• Transaction date, amount and currency
• Merchant name/descriptor exactly as processed
• Payment processor/payment facilitator, if available
If you are in the EU/EEA, you can make the request under GDPR Article 15.
IMPORTANT: Do not accept only the numeric Acquirer ID. You need the actual registered legal name of the Acquirer.
Under GDPR Article 12(3), the normal response time is one month.
STEP 2 — COMPLAINT TO THE ACQUIRER
Once you know the Acquirer, contact them directly through their official complaints channel.
Include:
• Acquirer ID • Acquirer legal name • Merchant ID • Merchant descriptor • MCC • ARN • Transaction date and amount • Casino/operator • Licence status in your country • Evidence supporting your complaint
Explain the specific issue, for example:
• Incorrect MCC for a gambling transaction • Unlicensed gambling operator • Misleading merchant/transaction information • Refused withdrawals or withheld winnings • Other relevant compliance issues
Ask the Acquirer to investigate the transactions and request a refund where appropriate.
Also ask them to confirm their role in the transaction, the merchant's legal identity, the MCC used and any other transaction information they can lawfully disclose.
STEP 3 — PROVIDE ALL EVIDENCE FROM THE START
Send the complaint form and supporting evidence together with your first complaint.
Include:
• Transaction list • ARN and Merchant ID • Acquirer ID • Bank/card statement • Casino account history • Withdrawal attempts • Casino correspondence • Evidence of licence status • Any other relevant evidence
The goal is to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth.
IMPORTANT
Chargeback is a separate route and may have much shorter deadlines depending on the card scheme and dispute reason. Therefore, contact your card issuer immediately if you want to pursue chargeback.
A direct complaint to the Acquirer is a separate process. The applicable deadline depends on the Acquirer's jurisdiction, regulatory status and type of complaint.
For example, FCA rules can allow complaints within 6 years from the event, or, if later, 3 years from when the consumer became aware that they had cause to complain.
The key is to establish the complete chain:
TRANSACTION → ARN → ACQUIRER ID → ACQUIRER LEGAL ENTITY → MID → MERCHANT → CASINO/OPERATOR
Do not guess who the Acquirer is from the merchant descriptor.
Get the actual Acquirer information from your bank first.
Don't hesitate if you need help or templates for your bank, acquirer etc.