CHARLOTTE -- A Charlotte-based Internet gaming site, Netwinner.com, is facing nationwide scrutiny from angry customers and the Better Business Bureau. Since January, more than 170 gamers across the country said they won cash prizes on the site but have not been paid.
"These are people that have supported you and stood by you and you are treating them terribly, pay your members," Tammy Nelson, of Reno, Nev., one of the gamers who alerted the Better Business Bureau, said in a phone interview with News 14 Carolina.
Nelson and the others filed complaints arguing that since late last year, Netwinner.com hasn't delivered prizes ranging from $25 to a few hundred dollars.
"They kept telling us, ‘stay patient, be patient, keep clicking, you will get paid, all honest people will get paid,’ and they said this every day over and over again and kept us hanging on," Nelson said.
Tom Barthomoly, of the Better Business Bureau, claimed Netwinner.com promised these payouts but changed the rules, leaving hundreds across North America without their expected prize money.
News 14 Carolina's Brad Broders has more with alleged victims and a representative from the Better Business Bureau.
"Gamer beware,” he said. “No matter how careful you read the rules, these companies could be out of business like that.
"Before, you had a guaranteed prize of a gift card, and now you just have a chance at a gift card, so it's vastly different terms, a vastly different interpretations of what those rules were and people are screaming."
One woman in the Charlotte area who didn't want her identity known sent News 14 Carolina e-mails from Netwinner.com that show confirmed prizes although the woman said she hadn't received a dime.
The Better Business Bureau approached the Federal Trade Commission about possible violations.
"We've been in touch with them in the last couple of days and are feeding them the information as we get it that we think is going to be the best bet for these consumers," Bartholomy said.
However, Barthomoly admits that even with the FTC involved, It could be a long time if ever for the gamers to get their promised prizes.
Representatives with Netwinner.com claim players with instant wins did receive their payments. Officials declined News 14 Carolina's interview requests to respond on camera to these allegations, but did send a statement saying:
"We have been working closely and diligently with the Better Business Bureau, including meeting at their office over the last month to address complaints regarding Netwinner and we continue to do so.”