Terms & Conditions
Duelmasters — Terms of Service
(Staking/Sponsorship Model)
IMPORTANT NOTICE — BINDING ARBITRATION & CLASS ACTION WAIVER
THESE TERMS CONTAIN AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER (SEE §11). BY CREATING AN ACCOUNT OR USING THE SERVICES, YOU AGREE TO RESOLVE DISPUTES BY FINAL, BINDING ARBITRATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
“Duelmasters” means, Duelmasters LLC, a company established by US law seated Suite 220, 17350 State Highway 249, Houston, TX, 77064-1132
Duelmasters is not endorsed by, affiliated with, maintained or sponsored by Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, Microsoft, Xbox, Sony, PlayStation, Valve, or any game publisher or platform. All trademarks and copyrighted content belong to their respective owners.
PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
Contract & Scope
A. Contract. These Terms of Service (the “Terms”) are a legally binding contract between Duelmasters LLC(“Duelmasters,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) and you (“you,” “your”). They govern your use of our mobile/desktop application(s), website(s), and related software, materials, tools and services (collectively, the “Services”).
B. Accepting the Terms. By clicking “I Agree”, creating an account, accessing, or using any part of the Services, you represent and warrant that you (i) have read, understand, and accept these Terms; (ii) will comply with them; and (iii) are legally authorized to enter this agreement.
C. Changes. We may modify these Terms at any time. We will endeavor to announce material changes, but you are solely responsible for reviewing the then-current Terms. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.
D. Nature of Services — Staking/Sponsorship Only. We provide a technology platform that facilitatesstaking/sponsorship of eligible players in skill-based video game competitions administered by us (the “
E. Third-Party Platforms. Streams and gameplay occur on third-party services (e.g., Twitch, Kick) or game publishers’ platforms. You are solely responsible for complying with third-party terms.
Key Definitions
• Player: an eligible individual who competes in a skill-based video game event.
• Sponsor: a user who contributes funds to cover all or part of a Player’s entry fee for a Staked Event in exchange for a contingent right to a percentage of that Player’s prize (a Sponsor Commission) if the Player wins a prize.
• Staking/Stake: a Sponsor’s contribution to a Player’s entry fee for a specific Staked Event.
• Restricted Jurisdictions: jurisdictions where we disallow real‑money Staked Events (see §7A, §7G).
Eligibility & Access
A. U.S. Users. To open an account and use real‑money features you must: (i) be 21+and a natural person; (ii) be physically located in a U.S. state that does not prohibit our Staked Events; (iii) allow lawful geolocation verification; and (iv) at all times comply with these Terms and applicable law.
B. Non‑U.S. Users. You must: (i) be 21+; (ii) understand English and these Terms; (iii) be physically located in a jurisdiction that does not prohibit access/use; and (iv) comply with all laws applicable to you. We may deny/limit access at any time.
C. Your Responsibility. You are solely responsible for determining the legality of your participation where you are located. Your ability to view or access the Services does not mean your use is lawful. We may block or limit access at our discretion.
D. One Account Policy. One (1) account per person. Multi‑accounting is prohibited and may result in termination and forfeiture (see §10W–§10Y).
E. Age & Identity Verification. You agree to provide information and documents we request to verify age, identity, and location, and to complete KYC/AML checks (see §7E–§7F). Failure to pass or cooperate may result in denial, suspension, or closure.
F. Geolocation & Data. Some features require continuous collection and verification of your device location. Disabling location access may block the Services.
Nature of Staked Events (Skill‑Based; Not Gambling)
A. Skill Predominates. Staked Events are structured and scored such that skill is the predominant factor in determining results. We do not guarantee outcomes.
B. No Betting Against the House. Sponsors contribute to a Player’s entry fee and may receive a Sponsor Commission only if that Player earns a prize in the Staked Event. We do not take the other side of any wager, and we do not pay “winnings” unrelated to a Player’s actual prize.
C. No Third‑Party Spectator Bets. The Services do not accept bets by non‑participants on whether a Player will meet statistical targets, beat another Player, etc. Any such activities are prohibited on the Services.
D. Event Administration. We administer Event Rules, match seeding, eligibility, moderation, integrity review, and result certification, including reliance on approved data feeds and audit procedures.
Accounts, Communications &Conduct
A. Registration. Provide accurate, complete information. Keep credentials confidential. You are responsible for activity on your account.
B. Communications. By creating an account, you consent to receive service and marketing communications (email, SMS, push). You can opt out of marketing at any time.
C. Chat & Anti‑Harassment. We enforce a zero‑tolerance policy for harassment, hate speech, or abusive conduct. Violations may lead to suspension, confiscation of funds associated with the violation, and termination.
D. Prohibited Conduct. Includes cheating, result manipulation, collusion, use of unauthorized tools, account sharing, data scraping, DDoS, fraud/chargebacks, money laundering, and any unlawful use. We may investigate and take action.
Sponsorship Mechanics
A. Sponsorship = Entry Fee Coverage. A Sponsor may contribute a fixed amount toward a Player’sentry fee for a specific Staked Event. We may cap contributions and/or mark events “sold out.” We may reject any sponsorship at our discretion and refund the contributed amount.
B. Platform & Administrative Fees. We may charge an administrative/platform fee(e.g., 10%) on sponsorship payments and/or event entry fees to cover event administration and integrity costs. Fees are disclosed at the point of contribution and may be non‑refundable once the event locks.
C. Variable Payouts. Some events may include variable prize pools or variable commissions based on total aggregate sponsorship. Your Sponsor Commission (if any) will be proportional to your share of the total entry fee actually covered for that Player, less fees and subject to Event Rules. Your potential commission may change up to event lock.
D. No Guaranteed Return. Sponsorships are high‑risk and forentertainment. You may lose 100% of your contribution if the Player wins no prize.No investment or financial product is offered.
E. Payouts to Sponsors. If (and only if) the sponsored Player earns a prize under the Event Rules, we will calculate and credit the Sponsor’s commission to the Sponsor’s wallet after integrity checks and any required verifications. If a Player is later disqualified, we may claw back or cancel related commissions.
F. Player Relationship. Your contractual relationship is with us. You have no direct rights against a Player. You may not claim agency, partnership, or employment with any Player.
G. Disqualification/No‑Shows. If a Player is disqualified, fails to appear, or an event is canceled/voided, we may (i) refund contributions (with or without fees) or (ii) otherwise resolve per Event Rules and integrity policies.
H. Results & Disputes. Results post typically after internal checks. Disputes must be submitted to [email protected] within 24 hours of result publication (unless Event Rules specify otherwise). Our determinations are final.
Legal Compliance; Jurisdictional Limits; KYC/AML
A. U.S. Gaming Laws. Laws vary by state. We currently prohibit real‑money Staked Events for users physically located in: Arizona, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota (the “Restricted Jurisdictions”). Do not access real‑money Staked Events from any Restricted Jurisdiction.
B. Your Certification. By using the Services, you certify you have reviewed applicable laws and determined your participation is lawful. We rely on your certification and may block access at any time.
C. College/Youth Restrictions. We do not permit Staked Events involving minors or youth competitions. Additional event‑type restrictions may apply per jurisdiction.
D. Geolocation & Blocking. We employ geolocation and other controls. Attempts to bypass geo‑blocking are prohibited and may lead to termination and forfeiture.
E. KYC/Identity. Before withdrawals and at other times, you must complete KYC(e.g., government ID, selfie, proof of address). Failure = suspension/denial.
F. AML/Monitoring. We maintain AML procedures. We may monitor, flag, suspend, or report suspicious activity and reject or reverse transactions.
G. Sanctioned & Prohibited Countries. Users located in any of the following may not deposit, withdraw, or participate in Staked Events: Afghanistan, Belarus, Burma (Myanmar), Central African Republic, Crimea, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria. Attempts to evade are a material breach.
Wallets, Deposits, Withdrawals & Fees
A. Wallet Purpose. Funds in your Duelmasters wallet may be used only for Staked Events and fees. We may set deposit/withdrawal limits.
B. Deposits. Deposits may be processed by third‑party payment providers. We may charge fees disclosed at checkout. We may refuse or reverse deposits.
C. Withdrawals. Withdrawals require KYC completion and may require you to have participated in at least one Staked Event (for AML purposes). Processing times vary. We may request additional information and deny or delay withdrawals as permitted by law.
D. Inactivity Fee. If your account is inactive for 18 consecutive months (no deposit, withdrawal, or event participation), we may charge up to $4/month until activity resumes or the balance reaches $0 (where permitted by law). We will notify you at least 30 days before the first fee.
E. Chargebacks. Any chargeback will result in permanent account closure, loss of related commissions, and negative balance recovery. We may report fraud and pursue collection.
F. Currency. All transactions are in USD unless otherwise stated. You are responsible for any currency conversion or bank fees.
G. Taxes. For U.S. residents, we may request a W‑9 and issue IRS Forms (e.g.,1099‑MISC) if your commissions/prizes reach reporting thresholds. You are solely responsible for all tax liabilities.
Event Integrity; Content; IP
A. Integrity Controls. We may use automated and manual tools, judges, and approved data feeds to monitor cheating, collusion, tampering, or other violations. We may suspend or void events to protect integrity.
B. Streams & Recordings. By participating, you grant us a worldwide, non‑exclusive, royalty‑free license to use, record, retransmit, display, and promote event streams or clips involving your participation for operations, compliance, and marketing.
C. User Content. You are responsible for content you submit. Do not upload illegal or infringing content. You grant us the licenses necessary to operate the Services.
D. IP Notice. All platform software, content, and branding are owned by Duelmasters or its licensors. No rights are granted except as expressly stated.
E. DMCA. Send copyright notices to: [email protected] (subject: “DMCA Takedown”). Counter‑notices must consent to U.S. federal court jurisdiction in Delaware.
Enforcement; Suspensions; Termination
A. Our Rights. We may suspend, limit, or terminate accounts, withhold or claw back funds, and block access if we believe you violated these Terms or law, threatened platform integrity, or created legal exposure for us or others.
B. One‑Account / Multi‑Accounting. Creating or controlling more than one account, or accessing another user’s account, is prohibited. Penalties may include: termination of related accounts, cancellation of pending entries, forfeiture of balances/commissions associated with the violation, and regulator referrals.
C. Investigations. You agree to cooperate with our investigations, provide information upon request, and not impede integrity reviews.
D. Effect of Termination. We will close your account. Subject to our rights hereunder (including forfeiture for violations), remaining lawful balances will be returned per our withdrawal processes.
Dispute Resolution — Arbitration; Class Action Waiver
A. Informal Resolution (Mandatory). Before any arbitration, you must email [email protected]with a written description of the dispute and participate in a good‑faith video conference within 30 days. Deadlines are tolled during this process.
B. Arbitration. Except for limited claims described below, any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services will be resolved by final, binding arbitrationadministered by JAMS under its applicable rules (e.g., Streamlined for claims under $250,000; Comprehensive otherwise). The Federal Arbitration Act governs. If you cannot afford fees, we will pay them for non‑frivolous claims after you complete the informal process.
C. Individual Basis Only. No class, collective, consolidated, or representative actions in arbitration or court. You waive any right to a jury trial.
D. Group Arbitration Procedure. If 25+ substantially similar claims are filed within 60 days, claims may be batched and processed in staged sets of up to 50 matters. Fees will be allocated per the provider’s rules for group proceedings.
E. Opt‑Out. You may opt out of arbitration within 30 days of first use by emailing[email protected] (subject: “Arbitration Opt‑Out”). If you opt out, we also opt out as to you.
F. Exceptions. We may pursue claims in court for intellectual property violations or injunctive relief. Venue and law per §14.
G. Limitations Period. Any claim must be filed within one (1) year after it accrues, or it is permanently barred.
Dispute Resolution — Arbitration; Class Action Waiver
A. Disclaimers. THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES (EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY), INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON‑INFRINGEMENT. PARTICIPATION IN STAKED EVENTS IS HIGH‑RISK AND FORENTERTAINMENT ONLY. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE OUTCOMES OR DATA ACCURACY.
B. Limitation. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICES IS LIMITED TO US$250. WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR LOST‑PROFIT DAMAGES.
C. Release. If you have a dispute with another user or a Player, you release us and our affiliates from claims and damages arising out of or in any way connected with such disputes.
Privacy; Data; Security
See our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference. You consent to our collection and use of data, including geolocation, for compliance and operations.
Miscellaneous
A. Entire Agreement; Severability. These Terms (plus policies referenced here) are the entire agreement. If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder stays in force.
B. Assignment. We may assign these Terms. You may not assign without our written consent.
C. Governing Law & Venue. These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware (without regard to conflicts rules) and applicable U.S. federal law. Subject to §11, exclusive venue for any permitted court action is state or federal courts located in Delaware, and you consent to jurisdiction there.
D. Notices. We may notify you via email to your account address. You must keep your contact information current.
E. Updates to Services. We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Services at any time without liability. If we cease operations, you will have 90 days to withdraw available balances (subject to legal holds and §10).
F. Contact. [email protected]
Event‑Specific Rules & Examples (Informative)
• Pro‑Rata Sponsor Commission. If total entry fee for Player X is $100 and you contributed $10, and Player X wins a $1,000 prize, and an admin fee of 10% applies to the prize distribution, then your commission≈ $1,000 × (10/100) × (1 − 0.10) = $90. Final calculations follow the posted Event Rules.
• Variable Commission Events. If aggregate sponsorship grows, your percentage share and expected commission may decrease. Your final commission locks when the event locks per posted rules.
• Disqualification. If Player X is DQ’d, we may cancel the event or refund contributions per integrity policy and Event Rules.
Prohibited Conduct (Non‑Exhaustive)
• Access from Restricted Jurisdictions or sanctioned countries; use of VPN/proxy to evade geo‑controls.
• Multi‑accounting, account sharing, or acting as a proxy for another user.
• Cheating, match‑fixing, collusion, use of exploits or unauthorized tools.
• Abusive chat, harassment, hate speech, doxxing.
• Fraud, chargebacks, identity theft, money laundering.
• Data scraping, reverse engineering, or interference with security measures.
Violations may result in suspension, forfeiture, termination, and reporting to authorities.
Acknowledgements
By using the Services, you acknowledge and agree that: (i) Staked Events are skill‑based; (ii) you are a Sponsor or Player, not a bettor against the house; (iii) any payout to a Sponsor is a commission from a Player’s prize, not “winnings” on a bet; and (iv) you remain solely responsible for legal compliance based on your location and status.
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