Bonuses not all they are cracked up to be!

[-z-]

...the way some sites advertise their " AMAZING " bonus you would think they are..but when it comes down to the nitty gritty the T&Cs are just one big trap for the uneducated punter...

I would argue this but for the conflict of interest...


Sooo... bonuses are umm- a trap and they're BAD.
Yah, they're bad. No wait, they're EVIL!

And you should uhh- stay away from these evil bonuses. There is no money to be won with bonuses, only losing money.

And especially don't read that website with the bonus info by that king guy.

Stay away from bonuses. Just say no.
I mentioned bonuses were bad? Ok.

-z-

p.s. And don't read any books or articles about probablity or game odds... that wizard page is to be avoided at all costs.

[dabruin2]

In my former gambling incarnation, I was a bonus hunter. I pursued this because it was a means to an end for me. My normal job wasn't paying me much at the time, so I thought that if I played disciplined on blackjack, I could come out ahead. I even bought one of those clicker counter thingys. So there I was with the clicker in the left hand and my mouse in my right. I would go from casino to casino and partake in the bonuses they were offering. At the end of my career, I probably made like 10K, which helped supplement my then low income. Towards the end, the bonuses were getting more stringent and 20x playthroughs became 30x--and some casinos were just being very slow in pay or I'd just lose my money during the grind. Because when you think about it, there's only three results when you bonus hunt--you either fulfill wagering requirements and come up a couple hundred (I've never won more than $500 during a playthrough), you lose your bonus plus deposit, or you break even. As the bonus restrictions (playthroughs) increased, it soon became unsavory to participate because when I broke it down and if I came out ahead only a couple hundred playing through wagering requirements, it's like a job that only paid about $8-10/per hour or less--and that is IF you fulfilled the wagering requirement. Because if you didn't, you just effectively sat there for an inordinate amount of time having accomplished nothing if you didn't win. And it sure as heck wasn't entertaining.

The point is I realized it wasn't worth it to me anymore. I would rather gamble for real and make the money that way--especially if you're playing at a reputable casino, it's easier to win at say Blackjack or on a spin of roulette than to commit yourself to hours upon hours of clicking and grinding.

That's just my story. I hope you enjoyed the read.

[Simmo!]

Its well documented I'm not a signup bonus fan and believe loyalty bonuses are the future. BUT...IMO any casino that makes such a big thing about their signup bonus must expect the flak that goes with it.

The industry will never even start to get the image it needs while signup bonuses are around. But there seems to be a lack of suitable alternatives and unless all the casinos agree to ditch them, or better still, regulations preclude them from offering them, we'll never have a level playing field sans bonus.

Some loyalty schemes are good, but they are not clearly promoted and most players dont even know which are/aren't good, so it's difficult to weigh up the advantages. KK and Macgyver may disagree with me, but I think it's probably equally as possible, if not easier, to profit from careful play on loyalty bonuses and cashback offers than from signup bonuses. And because it will encourage loyalty, it will prevent more players from ending up at shady joints IMO.

If you took signup bonuses out of the industry, you'd probably have about 80% less threads in the "Complaints" forum too

[GrandMaster]

If you took signup bonuses out of the industry, you'd probably have about 80% less threads in the "Complaints" forum too

You might also remove 80% of new signups.

[spearmaster]

You might also remove 80% of new signups.

If 80% of these new signups were only in it for the bonus, it might be worth it

I would really like to know how many people convert from bonus hunting to real play without bonuses - I think this would be the key to the whole proposition.

[Simmo!]

You might also remove 80% of new signups.

LOL. You never know But if the loyalty scheme and the service are good, you may keep 80% of the players there for a lot longer

[WAYLANDER]

Firstly thanks for all the replys..a great forum with plenty of traffic!
Just to expand on a few points, i think my main gripe is in the way some sites initial advertising leads you to think that the bonus is the best thing since sliced bread! but when you get down to it it is pretty crap.. with the odd trap or two.
I know 1 or 2 of you may not agree with the word " trap " but i like a good discussion so here is my argument:-
To have " excluded " games in the T&Cs are nothing short of a carefully concealed pit full of sharpened stakes for the " uneducated punter " to fall into!
When i say uneducated i mean in the ways of online gambling, not there schooling.
To think that a newcomer to gambling might sign up at a site and play allowed games and win a good sum of money, then play an excluded game ( even if he loses at this game )and have all his winnings taken away is nothing short of stealing in my book!
I can not see any reason to include this rule but to cheat the customer..sure dont count it to the w/r but to take their winnings ROBBERY!
I even believe the casinos know this as usually this clause is burried in the T&Cs and not even on the same page as the list of " excluded " games.

Also what is wrong with a bonus that you are expected to win some of it?
Lets compare this to some real life situations:-
A new gym opens and offers people free membership for a month.
A new restaurant opens and has 2 for 1 the first weekend it is open.
free samples on beauty products
buy 1 get 1 free
Free insurance/tax with this car
The list is nearly endless and i am sure we have all taken advantage of this sort of offer.
My point being all these promotions are being given to get you to buy or use the products/services in future, the casinos deal in money so that is what they offer.
We have to remember that the online casino business is worth BILLIONS with only a small percentage of the overheads land based casinos have ( and i still get free drinks and a sandwich there! )
I keep reading that casinos are not in the business of giving money away..why not?..just about every other major business will give you some form of special offers on there products.. a casinos product is money, and not theirs by the way, we lose it to them on their biased games.
All i am saying is that the bonuses should be clear and easy to understand with a little profit expected.
Remember this if you are ever in a shop and just before you were about to spray the newest perfume/aftershave tester bottle a store assistant comes running out with a T&Cs book you have to read and sign first

WAYLANDER

[Simmo!]

A new gym opens and offers people free membership for a month.
A new restaurant opens and has 2 for 1 the first weekend it is open.
free samples on beauty products
buy 1 get 1 free
Free insurance/tax with this car
The list is nearly endless and i am sure we have all taken advantage of this sort of offer.

Your analogies though have a finite upper limit on the cost, whereas "cash to win" doesn't. Additionally, bonuses were originally intended for players to try out the games. It would be a bit like saying here's an extra $100 of bets, but you can't win off them, it's just there for entertainment purposes.

Try this on the restuarant analogy: go to a "2 for 1" offer at a carvery, load your plates up then invite a few friends in to share Not sure the restaurant would go for that

[WAYLANDER]

I disagree simmo the bonuses i am talkig about advertise as " FREE " money
" BIGGEST AND BEST ON WEB "
" WE WILL DOUBLE YOUR MONEY"
Most sites let you play the games for free to try the games

WAYLANDER

[Simmo!]

I disagree simmo the bonuses i am talkig about advertise as " FREE " money
" BIGGEST AND BEST ON WEB "
" WE WILL DOUBLE YOUR MONEY"
Most sites let you play the games for free to try the games

WAYLANDER

Yup - hence my use of the phrase "originally intended" Things have moved on.