Fortune Lounge Doubles Wagering Requirements

[Stanford]

It's not that they can't or that it is wrong to change terms. It is just not good faith to try to sneak them in and catch regular players unaware.

Fortune Lounge has without fanfare or notice doubled their wagering requirements. This has let some players in for a surprise on cashing out.
One had to go to the their WebSite's terms page to know and some that had played weekly (including VIP players) don't understand why FL didn't just highlight the change in their weekly bonus offer. Why hide it?

Wagering now requires players to wager their deposit once to receive the bonus and then wager the bonus and deposit 10 times instead of their normal 5 times. These are not 100% match bonus. Often they are only 10%. So for a $10 bonus for $100 deposit the player is looking at wagering $1,200.

However, there may be something of a positive nature. Fortune lounge is considering doing away with the carryover feature of their wagers. At 5X a minor irritation, carrying over after bust out is a major problem at 10X. I applaud FL for listening their players and considering doing away with this requirement.

Their statement and I assume forthcoming announcement can be found here:

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

A good article from SpearMaster on this practice (10 Stupid Casino Tricks) can be found here:

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

Stanford

 

[jpm]

I too just found this out and am NOT happy about it. I'd like to know if anyone knows exactly when this change was made? I got an email from them today telling me I needed to wager $4000 more for a lousy $50 bonus I got about a week ago, then referred me to the 10x wagering requirements page. Last I knew it was 5x for a purchase bonus, 8x for free money. I'm a gold VIP member and they didn't even have the courtesy to notify me about it and that is simply unacceptable. (I think I even lost that bonus and now they're pulling this carryover b.s., but I haven't confirmed that yet)

Wim, I know you usually monitor these threads and I'd like your comment on this please. Why didn't you notify ALL players of this? I would have expected that at the very least VIP players would be notified, but in all fairness, every player should have been told.

It's not that they can't or that it is wrong to change terms. It is just not good faith to try to sneak them in and catch regular players unaware.

Fortune Lounge has without fanfare or notice doubled their wagering requirements. This has let some players in for a surprise on cashing out.
One had to go to the their WebSite's terms page to know and some that had played weekly (including VIP players) don't understand why FL didn't just highlight the change in their weekly bonus offer. Why hide it?

Wagering now requires players to wager their deposit once to receive the bonus and then wager the bonus and deposit 10 times instead of their normal 5 times. These are not 100% match bonus. Often they are only 10%. So for a $10 bonus for $100 deposit the player is looking at wagering $1,200.

However, there may be something of a positive nature. Fortune lounge is considering doing away with the carryover feature of their wagers. At 5X a minor irritation, carrying over after bust out is a major problem at 10X. I applaud FL for listening their players and considering doing away with this requirement.

Their statement and I assume forthcoming announcement can be found here:

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

A good article from SpearMaster on this practice (10 Stupid Casino Tricks) can be found here:

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

Stanford

 

[GrandMaster]

It happened about two weeks ago. They certainly should have drawn players' attention to the change. At the same time they stopped sending the weekly match bonuses to me. Is this just me, or do other people have the same experience? Actually, I got one 10% match bonus but the new WR it is just not worth the trouble.

 

[hhcfreebie]

As far as I know, not all the FL casinos follow the same change. The new "improved WR policy" only applied to a few FL casinos.
Many FL cainos still have the old Terms and conditions on their website. (5xd+b, 8x free b).
I hope a FL representive can clarify the situation for us.

 

[jpm]

Thanks GrandMaster. I got a 10% match offer this past weekend for Platinum Play but wasn't really interested in it, since it was only 10%. There was NO mention in it of any new wagering requirements though, nor in the same offer a week earlier. I never applied for it, but I did get $10 in my PP account yesterday, apparently I played $100 there at some point over the weekend. I'm going to tell them to stuff the $10 though, its not worth $1100 in wagering to try to claim. Glad I haven't touched it yet!

It happened about two weeks ago. They certainly should have drawn players' attention to the change. At the same time they stopped sending the weekly match bonuses to me. Is this just me, or do other people have the same experience? Actually, I got one 10% match bonus but the new WR it is just not worth the trouble.

 

[Stanford]

I too just found this out and am NOT happy about it. I'd like to know if anyone knows exactly when this change was made?

Customer service told me that it was made Feb 11th. I can see how you would have missed it.

I do hope we at least get the wagering requirement canned. I would bust out at 5 times. I know I will bust out at 10 times. Most of the good ones don't enforce wagering requirements when you bust out.

Maybe when FL addresses this forum on not notifying players within the bonus slicitation emails (easy thing to do) he will address the decision on carryover. Otherwise, I won't be able to play any of the games like C.Stud, VP, Slots. It will be BJ at $2 - boring.

Stanford

 

[jpm]

Thanks hhc. That sounds even more stupid then if its only on certain casinos in the FL group. The link they sent me didn't specify any casino in particular, and just talked generically about the FL group, so I tend to think its all of them. I'm hoping Wim will clarify this for us ASAP since right now its not looking good.

 

[linda7]

Wim...please explain

Hi everyone,

I also play at FL casinos and would like to thank you for bringing the new WR's to my attention. JPM always warns about reading the T&C'c, however, since we all seem to be FL players for quite some time, I never thought to re-check the T&C's. I hope Wim comes on to explain why we were not told of this change that took place two weeks ago.

JPM, I had not seen any recent postings from you and was thinking of you last night. I was worried if you were ok. I am so glad that I read the FL thread and found you here safe and sound. (((hugs)))

 

[Stanford]

I hope Wim comes on to explain why we were not told of this change that took place two weeks ago.

Who is Wim. How long does it normally take for him to show up? Does someone have to notify him there is a thread.

Stanford

 

[kniepm]

FL has been sending me weekly bonus offer e-mails. The change I noticed from the e-mails was that they have all been 10% bonus and then entry in some drawing for prizes. I wouldn't have been aware of the increased playthrough requirements if I didn't read about it hear. Thanks for the heads up folks.

I never did very well with their bonus/playthrough structure in the past anyway. (Waiting until Monday to receive the bonus after 1x playtrough was too much temptation for me. I would often lose the entire deposit before receiving the bonus and then be left with a $20 - $40 bonus to play through.) Now I don't think I'll even consider any bonus of less than 75%.

OTOH, I have had pretty good luck playing European BJ, without the bonuses and the associated play requirements. It also seems their cash out have gotten quite a bit faster. I go my last cash-in from Royal Vegas in two business days. I'm waiting for $1000 from Platinum Play now, hope to see it in NETeller tomorrow.

 

[jpm]

Yeah, I noticed they were all 10% lately as well, but the FL cashins are handled very quickly. I consistently see them in neteller in 2 or 3 days (depending on the day I cashin). That is a big plus, but they may have offset it with this insane 10x w/r with holdover.

FL has been sending me weekly bonus offer e-mails. The change I noticed from the e-mails was that they have all been 10% bonus and then entry in some drawing for prizes. I wouldn't have been aware of the increased playthrough requirements if I didn't read about it hear. Thanks for the heads up folks.

I never did very well with their bonus/playthrough structure in the past anyway. (Waiting until Monday to receive the bonus after 1x playtrough was too much temptation for me. I would often lose the entire deposit before receiving the bonus and then be left with a $20 - $40 bonus to play through.) Now I don't think I'll even consider any bonus of less than 75%.

OTOH, I have had pretty good luck playing European BJ, without the bonuses and the associated play requirements. It also seems their cash out have gotten quite a bit faster. I go my last cash-in from Royal Vegas in two business days. I'm waiting for $1000 from Platinum Play now, hope to see it in NETeller tomorrow.

 

[jpm]

Hi Linda, thanks for the kind thoughts. I had to take a break for a while as home and work life got too crazy and was taking up all my time (and energy!). Nice to talk with you again.

Stanford, Wim is (or at least was as of December when I last spoke with him) the VP of Operations for Fortune Lounge. He usually monitors the message boards pretty closely and responds within a day or two if not sooner. I sent him a couple of private over the past week on different issues and haven't heard from him, so he may be on vacation or something right now.

Hi everyone,

I also play at FL casinos and would like to thank you for bringing the new WR's to my attention. JPM always warns about reading the T&C'c, however, since we all seem to be FL players for quite some time, I never thought to re-check the T&C's. I hope Wim comes on to explain why we were not told of this change that took place two weeks ago.

JPM, I had not seen any recent postings from you and was thinking of you last night. I was worried if you were ok. I am so glad that I read the FL thread and found you here safe and sound. (((hugs)))

 

[The Dude]

Hi Stanford,

And welcome to the forum!

You mentioned:

Who is Wim. How long does it normally take for him to show up? Does someone have to notify him there is a thread.

Like jpm mentioned, he is the VP of operations and a member of this board. He also receives copies of all posts here so he doesn't miss anything. I'm sure he'll be jumping in here in no time to answer your questions.

 

[Stanford]

Hi Stanford,

And welcome to the forum!

You mentioned:



Like jpm mentioned, he is the VP of operations and a member of this board. He also receives copies of all posts here so he doesn't miss anything. I'm sure he'll be jumping in here in no time to answer your questions.

Thank you Mr. Meister and jpm. I will be looking forward to the discussion.

Stanford

 

[fortunelounge]

jpm: After reading your post, I had the mailbox vpops@fortunelounge checked and due to some technicality I have not received mails in there for a while (and I thought it was because there were no issues...lol) My sincere apologies for this.

The wagering requirement change was implemented on 11 February and, although it is a big change, it is still in line with our competitors. We realise that we failed to comminicate this properly to our players and I can assure you that this will not happen again. It was really a bad oversight.

We are currently finalising certain issues with regards to the carry over situation and I am hoping to make a positive announcement in this forum before I go on leave Saturday.

My sincere apologies again.

VP Operations
Fortune Lounge Group

PS: I have arranged for a senior representative to monitor the forum and he will also be replying to mails received in the vpops mailbox while I am away.

 

[vickie40]

I'm trying to understand these changes. Is the rollover on the bonus in effect right now? I'm having a difficult time getting through to customer service.
I've always enjoyed the FL casinos and am saddened I wasn't notified of any changes.

Does anyone have a different number then 800-587-9036 (USA) for getting through to customer service?

Thanks in advance...
Victoria

 

[jpm]

Thanks Wim, I don't think there was anything too urgent that I'd sent to you. Probably the main thing was this wagering requirement change. If there's anything else, I'll resend it to you at that address.

I think it would be prudent of FL to send out an email to all of the players registered there informing them of this change so they are not caught off guard as the rest of us were. It will also give them the opportunity to opt out of a bonus, given this new rule, before they commit themselves to it as I apparently did at Vegas Villa, albeit unwittingly.

And please do let us know about the carry over situation as soon as you know something! Hope you have a safe trip.

 

[fortunelounge]

jpm: Thank you for the advice. You are right and I have taken the issue up with our marketing department.

I was hoping to post good news about the carry over issue before I go on vacation but, at the time of writing, we are still finalising and testing a process that will enable us to manage this automatically. As we handle a huge amount of cash-ins daily it is impossible for us to do this manually with each cash-in.

I have requested our senior representative, who will be monitoring the forum, to post the news as soon as we can safely do so.

Victoria: I have just checked the USA number again and it is operational. As we have been experiencing an increase in calls from players, we have increased our staff in the Call Center and you should find a drastic improvement in our response handling as soon as they are all operational.

VP Operations
Fortune Lounge

 

[Stanford]

I was hoping to post good news about the carry over issue before I go on vacation but, at the time of writing, we are still finalising and testing a process that will enable us to manage this automatically. As we handle a huge amount of cash-ins daily it is impossible for us to do this manually with each cash-in.

Just curious. If the player bust out, what is there to manage? Most microgaming casinos only check your wagering for the current bonus and don't go backwards. I guess if a player didn't bust out or cash out and then did a promotion the following week, someone would have to manually catch that. Is that the kind of thing? Anyway, I am surprised it is a difficult fix as it is somewhat the norm.

I have requested our senior representative, who will be monitoring the forum, to post the news as soon as we can safely do so.

Could you hazard a guess as when that might be? And could you perhaps just tell us what you are trying to do? I would love to see you go ahead and announce your proposed solution (even in general terms) with an implementation date to follow. Who knows - you might find our comments helpful and be able to tweak your software solution and make it better. Just my two cents.

Stanford.

 

[rj314]

Now I just found out that they no longer allow the double up feature in Video Poker to count toward your action! I love that double up feature. How can that not be action?

 

[sirius]

I didn't know they ever allowed this. If Wim is on leave, who answered the other thread today??

 

[jpm]

That was Chad (head of security) who was answering the threads for FL.

I don't know of ANY Microgaming casino that ever counted doubling up in VP to count towards wagering requirements. All of the Playtechs do though as far as I've found. Its easy to confirm this by checking your comp points before & after a double up.

I didn't know they ever allowed this. If Wim is on leave, who answered the other thread today??

 

[fortunelounge]

Hi All,

Regarding the changes to the carry over of wagering requirements. I will hopefully be making the announcement this week ( waiting for confirmation on certain test ) We have been trying to apply this manually in certain cases, and should have an automated solution this week. Everyone here will be the first to know

With regards to counting a double up on VP towards your wagering requirements. I am looking into that and will let you all know.

Regards,

Chad

 

[spearmaster]

To the best of my knowledge, no Microgaming operation has ever counted doubling up as part of the wager requirements - possibly because of the way in which the wager is recorded in Playcheck, or at least used to be (shows up as one bet and the net win/loss if I am not mistaken - haven't tried this in some time).

Barring that, however, I do not see why it shouldn't be counted - it is, after all, a wager of sorts.

 

[jpm]

You're exactly correct on both counts Spearmaster.