Before I make a final plea here to the casino and to Bryan...I wanted to say something. Like a few in this thread, there were instances years ago, where I got upset with Bryan because I was convinced that he was no different, nor any better, than some webmasters who are motivated by money. I left here for about a year I guess. In the last three or four years, I think that I have gotten to know him reasonably well, and I can say with conviction, that the man is not motivated by money. Yes, CM is a business, and is in business to make money.....but please believe me when I say, his decisions are NOT based on money.
I have seen him drop casinos in the blink of an eye, without thinking twice. Jackpot Factory, Fortune Lounge....have both had trips to the rogue pit in years past. Betfair is a perfect recent example. Big names all of them. If you are going to question someone's integrity like that, you had better make sure that you know what you're talking about.
This site is one of the last few places that a player can go who has been wronged, and actually hope to get some resolution. We've all seen how ineffective our respective governments, and the various regulating bodies are....when it comes to player protection. We're all frustrated with this case, and with the fact that Bryan doesn't see it "our" way.
Only my opinion here, but for Bryan to be taking this hardline on the side of CW, I have to think it's because he believes in them and their overall ethics and integrity, and their fair treatment of players. Nothing more sinister than that. I can't speak for others, but for myself....I know that when it comes to certain casinos (ie. 32Red and 3Dice), I have more faith in them than in any other casinos. I know the operations and the people behind them, and as much as I pride myself on being unbiased and fair to all....I know that I have a blind spot where those guys are concerned. It's not that I believe they walk on water, or could do no wrong...but I do tend to give them a bit more leeway when an issue pops up on the forum, because I trust them to do the right thing. And if it's something in a "grey" area, I know I'm much more likely to side with them. Not a good thing to admit, but I know it's the truth. It's also a big reason why I try my best to even avoid threads that involve them. Shoot me, I'm human. So is Bryan, and sometimes there are going to be instances where he doesn't agree with the majority. That's just the way it is.
[/end of derail]
Back to CW.
Firstly, to say that a player doesn't have to read the terms is absurd, and any player who follows that practice is asking for trouble. However, I do believe a casino should make their terms as clear and concise and user friendly as possible.
The way I see it there are two issues at play here. One, did DanL break the term as it is/was written? Two, is the term itself fair, and can it be applied in a fair manner for all?
It seems unanimous that the answer to both is no.
Bryan, I would ask you to consider this. In your opinion, DanL was a student and in violation of the student clause. But....is it reasonable for DanL to assume the term would apply to him, given the fact that he was "in limbo"? Graduate of one set of studies, and not yet begun his post graduate studies. My point is that you believe he violated the term, he (and all of us) believe that he didn't. If a term is that ambiguous and that open to interpretation, how can it possibly be considered fair?
You have stated that the casino is going to rewrite it yet again, as have they. If a term needs to be rewritten, then again, there were some problems with it in the first place.
Must not implement terms that can be construed as "unfair" towards the player.
Jelsmith's situation is a perfect example of how wrong and unfair this term "can" be. She works, yet she is also a student. Right now, it's a crapshoot as to whether she could play at CW or not, and actually get paid if she won. The way it stands now, the casino could pull this term out anytime they wanted, and use it to deny winnings if a player's situation falls into one of these "grey" areas. It is NOT fair, and is in direct violation of CM Accredited Guidelines. If they insist on keeping it and rewriting it, then fine....if after rewrite, you agree that it is fairly written and UNAMBIGUOUS, players from that point on should be held to it. But to use it the way it is now, and to invoke it on a whim, is 100 kinds of wrong.
I want more clarification on the case of Samuel T, which I posted about yesterday. If he indeed was a student, and did get paid his 33K Euros...I would like to know how the casino can justify paying one player who quite obviously broke the term, yet deny winnings to another whose case is NOT cut and dried by any means. I realize that clarification will have to come from Tom and/or Steve Russo. Casinos cannot pick and choose who to pay dependent on their mood that day.
The discussion of this case and terms in general brought to mind another huge issue/thread from about a year and a half ago. Remember the Spin Palace issue and the ambiguity of their bonus terms?
https://www.casinomeister.com/forums/threads/palace-group-rules-shenanigans.31264/
I am not going to go back and read all 30 pages, but I remember enough of it to know that it was the catalyst for you reworking the accreditation standards as they pertain to T&C's, and the fairness of those terms for the player. And for the Palace Group rewording and rewriting their bonus terms. I realize that thread was about bonuses, and this is about General T&C's, but the premise is EXACTLY the same.....is the term fair and unambiguous, and can it be applied fairly?
You use the argument here that the student clause is old, and that there have only been two PAB's here since 2005. Originally, you stated the same thing in re: Palace Group and their "majority of balance" term.
This is an old term by the way, it's been there for some time and as far as I know, this is the first time this has been a problem.
In fact, we asked Fortune Lounge to look at this term some time ago:
This was over a year ago, and only now people are complaining about it?
I don't see how that is a valid argument? Whether people complain, or file a PAB is irrelevant, if a term is inherently unfair to begin with, or improperly written (applies to CW and to Palace Group).
So without rehashing that whole issue, the point is that originally you sided with the Palace Group, even though you were pretty much the only one. Sound familiar?
30 pages later, and after a ton of great debate and valid points being made..not only did you change your mind..but the player was paid, the Accredited Sections standards (in re: T&C's) were overhauled to apply to all casinos listed there, and the Palace Group rewrote their bonus terms, so that there was no ambiguity, and absolutely zero room for "interpretation" or opinion.
I know you are fair, and I also know that you keep an open mind and are willing to listen. I'm asking you to please rethink this Bryan. CW aren't back til next week....take the weekend and really think about the fairness of it all. For the most part, this thread has remained extremely civil. There have been some very relevant, thoughtful and intelligent posts made here, by some long standing, knowledgeable members. It's not a witch hunt. But what the casino is doing is wrong. Almost to a person, we all agree on the same key points......that has to count for something? I respect that it is your decision, but I am asking you to reconsider your stance. That's all.
K....I'll shut up....for now.
