Two phones matching IPs?

[ADR]

Hi,

We run a dispute resolution service for the online gambling market. We currently have a complaint in where an operator is denying payment to a player based on the fact that they've shared an IP address with another user (terms clearly prohibit the operation of more than one account per IP). So my question is that when accessing via their mobile phones is it within the bounds of reason that two people could end up using the same IP without being aware of it? (i.e. one person uses there phone via the IP and that IP is later reassigned to a second phone?)

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

[hrym]

I haven't seen a discussion of IP addresses for a while, but it was always my understanding that, unless you were using a service that offers fixed ones, they're assigned dynamically and would, yes, be recycled.

I would have thought your best bet (pun not intended) would be to contact the ISP in question and get them to confirm the dates and times the address was in use by your client and that it was assigned to another user at that time by them.   Your client may need to give you permission to access their details, or do it themselves due to privacy issues.

TBH, I'm not even sure how an IP address could be shared other than by two or more people using the same device at more or less the same time.  Even then, it could be a long term connection, such as fixed-line broadband, with multiple users and devices sharing it.  Either the company refusing the payout has more information than your client is lettting on, or they're looking for an excuse not to pay out, imho.