MCC 7995

Gambling
Applications
Decisions
Identities
Transactions

Underwriting Cheat Sheet

MCC 7995 is specifically designated for betting services, including lottery tickets and casino gaming chips. This guide from Gratify offers an in-depth exploration of MCC 7995, providing valuable insights into its characteristics, associated risks, and best practices for managing merchant relationships within the gambling and betting industry.
Typical Business Types

MCC 7995 assigned exclusively to gambling and betting services, covering a range of gaming activities.

#1
Casinos and Gaming Establishments
offering table games, slot machines, and electronic gaming.
#2
Online Betting Platforms
providing internet-based gambling, including sports betting and casino games.
#3
Lottery Retailers
selling state or national lottery tickets.
High Level Information for Payment Processors

Transaction Types

  • Card-Present Transactions
    • In-person payments at physical gambling establishments.
  • Card-Not-Present Transactions
    • Online deposits and wagers made through websites or mobile apps.
  • High-Value Transactions
    • Significant sums involved in gambling activities, especially with high rollers.
  • Recurring Payments
    • Regular deposits or subscription-based gaming services.
  • International Transactions
    • Cross-border payments involving currency conversions for international gaming platforms.

Common Payment Methods

  • Credit and Debit Cards
    • Widely used for both in-person and online gambling transactions.
  • ACH Transfers
    • Direct bank debits for funding accounts or withdrawing winnings.
  • E-Wallets
    • Services like PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller facilitating online payments.
  • Cryptocurrencies
    • Emerging method accepted by some online gambling platforms.
  • Cash Advances
    • Use of credit cards to obtain cash for gambling purposes.

Unique Business Characteristics

  • Regulatory Complexity
    • Strict regulations varying by jurisdiction, affecting operations and payment processing.
  • High Chargeback Rates
    • Increased likelihood of disputes due to the nature of gambling losses.
  • Age and Identity Verification
    • Legal requirement to ensure participants are of legal gambling age.
  • Addictive Behavior Concerns
    • Social responsibility to prevent problem gambling.
  • Large Transaction Volumes
    • Potential for both high-frequency small bets and substantial high-stakes wagers.

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Key Risks and Concerns

Fraud Risks

  • Chargeback Fraud
    • Customers disputing legitimate gambling losses to recover funds.
  • Money Laundering
    • Using gambling transactions to disguise illicit funds.
  • Identity Theft
    • Unauthorized use of personal information to access gambling services.
  • Collusion and Game Manipulation
    • Players working together to cheat and defraud the establishment.
  • Account Takeover
    • Unauthorized access to user accounts for fraudulent activities.

Regulatory Challenges

  • PCI DSS Compliance
    • Ensuring secure handling of payment card data.
  • Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Laws
    • Strict adherence to regulations to detect and prevent money laundering.
  • Know Your Customer (KYC) Requirements
    • Mandatory identity verification processes.
  • Gambling Licenses
    • Necessity of proper licensing in each operating jurisdiction.
  • Age and Location Restrictions
    • Compliance with laws prohibiting underage gambling and restricting access based on location.

Chargeback Triggers

  • Unauthorized Transactions
    • Charges not recognized by the cardholder.
  • Dissatisfaction with Outcomes
    • Disputes arising from gambling losses.
  • Billing Errors
    • Incorrect charges or duplicate transactions.
  • Service Disputes
    • Claims of unfair practices or game rigging.
  • Regulatory Non-Compliance
    • Penalties or disputes due to violations of gambling laws.

Common Fraud Signals
  • Multiple High-Value Transactions
    • Frequent large deposits or withdrawals in a short period.
  • Mismatch in Customer Information
    • Discrepancies between registered details and payment data.
  • Use of Multiple Payment Methods
    • Funding accounts using various cards or accounts, potentially indicating fraud.
  • Unusual Betting Patterns
    • Bets that deviate significantly from normal player behavior.
  • International IP Addresses
    • Access from locations where the service is restricted or illegal.

Underwriting Tips

Business Verification

  • Confirm valid gambling licenses for all jurisdictions of operation.
  • Verify the physical address and contact information of the business.
  • Check compliance with all relevant gambling regulations and laws.

Financial Assessment

  • Review financial statements for revenue stability and profitability.
  • Analyze average transaction amounts and processing volumes.
  • Assess the impact of payouts and winnings on cash flow.

Risk Evaluation

  • Examine historical chargeback ratios and reasons.
  • Evaluate fraud prevention measures and security protocols.
  • Review KYC and AML procedures.

Policy Review

  • Ensure clear terms and conditions are in place, covering rules of play, payouts, and dispute resolution.
  • Verify that responsible gambling policies are prominently displayed and enforced.
  • Evaluate data protection and privacy policies for compliance.

Technology Assessment

  • Confirm the use of secure, up-to-date payment processing systems.
  • Ensure encryption and tokenization are implemented for data security.
  • Verify adherence to PCI DSS and other industry security standards.

Reputation Analysis

  • Check online reviews and industry ratings.
  • Investigate any history of regulatory violations, legal issues, or sanctions.
  • Assess customer satisfaction and the effectiveness of complaint resolution.

Example Scenarios and Red Flags

Sudden Surge in Chargebacks

  • May indicate dissatisfaction with services or exploitation of chargeback policies.

High-Value Transactions from New Customers

  • Significant deposits without prior history could signal money laundering.

Multiple Accounts Linked to a Single Payment Method

  • Potential sign of fraudulent activity or attempts to bypass betting limits.

Frequent Large Withdrawals

  • Could suggest collusion, game manipulation, or money laundering.

Customer Complaints About Unfair Practices

  • Patterns of disputes alleging rigged games or unethical behavior.

Common Underwriting Questions
  1. Licensing and Compliance
    • What gambling licenses do you hold, and in which jurisdictions?
    • How do you ensure compliance with local and international gambling laws?
    • What measures are in place to prevent underage gambling?
  2. Payment Processing Methods
    • What payment options are available to customers?
    • Do you accept cryptocurrencies or other alternative payment methods?
    • How do you handle international transactions and currency conversions?
  3. Fraud Prevention Measures
    • What KYC and AML procedures are implemented?
    • Do you use any fraud detection tools or services?
    • How do you monitor for suspicious betting patterns or transactions?
  4. Policies and Procedures
    • What is your policy on chargebacks, refunds, and disputes?
    • How do you promote responsible gambling practices?
    • Are your terms and conditions clearly communicated to customers?
  5. Security Measures
    • Are you PCI DSS compliant?
    • How do you protect customer data and payment information?
    • What cybersecurity measures are in place to prevent account takeovers?
  6. Customer Support
    • What channels are available for customer assistance?
    • What is your average response time for resolving issues?
    • How do you handle complaints regarding fairness or game integrity?

Ongoing Monitoring

Transaction Monitoring

  • Implement real-time alerts for suspicious activities.
  • Regularly analyze transaction data for anomalies or fraud patterns.
  • Monitor high-risk transactions, such as large deposits or withdrawals.

Compliance Checks

  • Maintain up-to-date PCI DSS and AML compliance certifications.
  • Stay informed about changes in gambling regulations and adjust practices accordingly.
  • Conduct periodic audits of KYC procedures and responsible gambling initiatives.

Security Updates

  • Keep all systems and software updated with the latest security patches.
  • Implement advanced security features like multi-factor authentication.
  • Regularly test the platform for vulnerabilities through security assessments.

Customer Feedback Analysis

  • Monitor reviews and social media for customer satisfaction indicators.
  • Address negative feedback promptly to improve service quality.
  • Use feedback to identify potential operational improvements.

Chargeback Management

  • Analyze chargeback trends to identify root causes.
  • Enhance communication with customers to prevent disputes.
  • Develop clear documentation to contest illegitimate chargebacks effectively.

Merchant Communication

  • Maintain open lines of communication regarding business changes.
  • Provide resources and training on fraud prevention and compliance.
  • Encourage reporting of any suspicious activities or security concerns.