Oh dear - I have just experienced the same scenario and was only told by an old friend to check out the forum once I had the problem.
I didn't particularly want the deposit bonus but contacting support was a pain, so I just went ahead and deposited my $100. I'd played a few other playtech casinos and done ok - I think about an $800 successful withdrawal from a $100 deposit had spurred me on to try a few more Playtech sites. Maxima was recommended by onlinecasinopro.com.
With a 30 x bonus and deposit rollover I guessed it might be quite tough to make the rollover, but I'd done ok elsewhere and so I was holding out for a generous freespin bonus on the progressive slots. I got my lucky break quite early on and started to seriously think about actually making the wagering! (I was above $1000 at this stage)
I upped my stake - usually a sure recipe for disaster, but got a couple of nice freespin bonus again, whch sent me sailing up over $6000. I checked with support how much wagering I still had to do and was told $1500 or so.
What a feeling that was - worst case scenario - I could wager and lose all $1500 and still come away with a clear $4500.
As it turned out, the last $1500 went through my fingers very quickly and I was left with about $4200. I left about $100 and made my cashout request. During the wait I frittered away the balance - $100 in my account - and was contacted after 5 days I think for photo ID, which I provided.
To my absolute horror I got my withdrawal approved notice today - you've gusessed it already - yes -
$200.
Of course I've contacted support and emailed Dan F (casino manager) - who to be fair has responded in person to my emails but I don't see any progress being made. I've played quite a few casinos in my time now - generally blackjack until my little sortie into the murky waters of slots and video poker and NEVER seen terms like these.
I don't hold out much hope of a goodwill gesture but I am left wondering why is such a term in place? You have wagering which takes back for the casinos almost 100% of the bonus from any unwary new player. And then it seems to me to mop up the rest and to control any unforeseen losses to winners like I thought I was - you have this clause limiting any withdrawals to the amount of the first deposit bonus. I'm HUGELY disappointed and disillusioned now over my $4000. I would be suicidal I think (or murderous maybe???) if I had been fortunate/unfortunate enough to have won one of the progressive jackpots.
Suffice to say I really needed that $4000!
For the sake of completeness - here is the offending and downright rogueish clause:
These are the rules for all promotions unless otherwise stated
Only withdraws smaller and/or equal to cashable bonus will be processed and remaining amount removed from players account.
The Bonus you want to claim will be given only to those players who have no withdrawal in pending status. Some of our bonuses are given automatically, and others have to be requested. If you have not received your bonus automatically after your deposit, please contact us by:
- Clicking on the online support icon in the casino lobby.
- Clicking on this button :
So is there anywhere a list of casinos that don't have these extortionate clauses?