Betfair - right to erasure under Article 17 UK GDPR

[wmat983]

Betfair closed my account nearly 7 years ago without giving a proper reason.

I’ve asked them to erase my data, but they keep refusing with generic reasons like AML, legal claims, responsible gambling and tax, without saying what actually applies to me.

Has anyone managed to get old Betfair account data deleted after this long?

My understanding is AML records are usually kept around 5 years and most legal claims around 6 years, so I’m struggling to see why they still need to keep my data nearly 7 years later.

[Euler]

Regulations mandate that they MUST keep records to fulfil their obligations under the Gambling Commission guidelines. If you decide to start up again, they could be fined heavily if they don't realise what you have done with them before.

IMO, this is why the country is a bit of a mess: you have contradictory guidelines and rights on many things.

They could get fined if they have too much information about you, and if they have too little.

[jamesedwards]

[wmat983]

Yeah, I understand they have regulatory obligations and I’m not saying they should delete anything they’re legally required to keep.

My issue is they’ve had the account closed nearly 7 years and still won’t tell me what specific reason actually applies to me, what data they need to keep, or how long they intend to keep it.

They just list generic reasons like AML, legal claims, responsible gambling and tax. I’m trying to establish what actually justifies retaining my identifiable data after this length of time.

[jamesedwards]

Yeah, I understand they have regulatory obligations and I’m not saying they should delete anything they’re legally required to keep.

My issue is they’ve had the account closed nearly 7 years and still won’t tell me what specific reason actually applies to me, what data they need to keep, or how long they intend to keep it.

They just list generic reasons like AML, legal claims, responsible gambling and tax. I’m trying to establish what actually justifies retaining my identifiable data after this length of time.

Have you tried an official Subject Access Request? https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/getti ... s-request/

[wmat983]

Yes, I’ve done several SARs with Betfair. They respond, but usually with generic information.

The issue now is erasure. The account has been closed nearly 7 years, yet they still refuse to delete my data and just list things like AML, legal claims, responsible gambling and tax without saying what actually applies to me.

My understanding is Gambling Commission guidance generally requires regulatory/AML records for at least 5 years after the relationship ends, while ordinary contractual claims are generally subject to a 6-year limitation period.

So after nearly 7 years I’m asking Betfair what specific reason actually requires them to keep my identifiable data now, but they won’t give me a straight answer.

[jamesedwards]

Yes, I’ve done several SARs with Betfair. They respond, but usually with generic information.

The issue now is erasure. The account has been closed nearly 7 years, yet they still refuse to delete my data and just list things like AML, legal claims, responsible gambling and tax without saying what actually applies to me.

My understanding is Gambling Commission guidance generally requires regulatory/AML records for at least 5 years after the relationship ends, while ordinary contractual claims are generally subject to a 6-year limitation period.

So after nearly 7 years I’m asking Betfair what specific reason actually requires them to keep my identifiable data now, but they won’t give me a straight answer.

Genuine question. Why do you care?

[wmat983]

Honestly, because I’m fed up of having to use other exchanges

I’d just like to get back on Betfair and use it normally again, other exchanges liquidity poor and less markets.

If they genuinely need to keep something for legal/regulatory reasons, fair enough — I just want them to tell me what and why.

[jamesedwards]

Honestly, because I’m fed up of having to use other exchanges

I’d just like to get back on Betfair and use it normally again, other exchanges liquidity poor and less markets.

If they genuinely need to keep something for legal/regulatory reasons, fair enough — I just want them to tell me what and why.

Good luck!

[stueytrader]

When they closed the account, did they keep/steal any of your own money, or was it empty or returned?

I'm also wondering, are you from a non-UK location, that seems to have sometimes been a trigger in other cases I think?

[wmat983]

No they returned all funds.

Also, I am from within UK. I did have a mate that worked offshore though, he wasn’t a trader, but asked me a chuck a few bets on for him, he earned a decent wage out in Middle East. I’m not sure if they may have triggered something, may have thought gambling was becoming a problem.

Tried for years to get reason, done Subject Access Requests, but won’t erase or give any information why other than “business decision”.

[jamesedwards]

No they returned all funds.

Also, I am from within UK. I did have a mate that worked offshore though, he wasn’t a trader, but asked me a chuck a few bets on for him, he earned a decent wage out in Middle East. I’m not sure if they may have triggered something, may have thought gambling was becoming a problem.

Tried for years to get reason, done Subject Access Requests, but won’t erase or give any information why other than “business decision”.

Putting on bets for someone else would break Betfair terms of service. If you ever told them this, or they had reason to suspect it, then that's most likely the reason you were closed down.

[wmat983]

No, I did not tell them this, they may have noticed it and looked different to my standard trading activity, so frustrating though, almost 7 years now.