Thumbs Down for The Sands of Caribbean

[Prospect]

The short-story is that I got barred for being a bonus-hunter. But, here is the longer story.

About a month ago, I got an e-mail from customer service notifying me that I would no longer be able to participate in their monthly promotions. They made the accusation that I was a "bonus-abuser". According to the e-mail a "bonus-abuser" is someone who "make deposit, get bonus, withdraw deposit, play risk-free".

But, of course, that is something that I don't do. I always play the wager-requirements before I request a withdrawal. Although it is always the minimum wager-requirements, nonetheless, I always meet the terms and conditions of the promotion in question.

I replied to the e-mail saying that I agreed with them that it is ABSOLUTELY wrong for anyone to "make deposit, get bonus, withdraw deposit, play risk-free". But, that was not what happened. In fact, I cashed-out less than my deposit on the said promotion. Not exactly "risk-free".

They, then, replied saying that I was probably a "bonus-abuser" because I cash-out more than my deposit in some other months.

So, now, winning is not allowed? I looked at the account history. The deposits over cash-outs is about a little over $100. So, if I am a "bonus-abuser", I am not a very good one. In fact, I should probably be pouting that their software is rigged!

So, two things here. First, I did not expect a reputable casino to kick me out for being a bonus-hunter. Second, I was totally surprised that a reputable casino would make false accusations and other lame excuses from the seat-of-the pants to achieve their agenda. That was the feeling that I got from this barring.

 

[GrandMaster]

According to the e-mail a "bonus-abuser" is someone who "make deposit, get bonus, withdraw deposit, play risk-free".

It's impossible to do this at Crypto casinos. You can always withdraw your deposit, but if you do, you lose your bonus. The only kind of risk-free play I can think of is that you deposit, get the bonus, play, and withdraw your deposit if you are in danger of losing any of your own money.

 

[jpsartre]

No that's not true. If you withdraw your deposit after recievening the bonus the bonus is left in the account.

 

[jpm]

Yeah, it is left in the account, and you can't withdraw it until you meet the wagering requirements of it and any and all previous bonuses that you didn't meet w/r on. Not easy to make any money this way, but I would call that bonus abuse since you are basically playing with free money until you hit something big and not putting your own money at risk.

Prospect, you are a bonus hunter. You admit it right in your 2nd paragraph. You deposit, get the bonus, meet the w/r and withdraw. They have every right in the world to deny you the monthly bonus. Its their casino and their money! Why do you think they don't have this right?? And lets be clear, they did NOT kick you out as you state, they simply said you aren't getting a free monthly bonus anymore. Nothing disreputable or rogueish about that.

And I can speak from experience, I used to do the same thing at Intercasino. Did it for years before they finally told me the gravy train had reached the end of the line. I didn't whine about it and accuse them of being a rogue, I was surprised it took so long for them to finally stop it. And I still go back and play there on my own dime every so often and actually win money without their monthly stipend.

The Sands of the Caribbean did NOTHING wrong here.

 

[Prospect]

Not easy to make any money this way, but I would call that bonus abuse since you are basically playing with free money until you hit something big and not putting your own money at risk.

Sure, my style gave me an advantage. But, no, it was not completely "risk-free". Like I said, there were some months where I cashed-out less than my deposits.

They have every right in the world to deny you the monthly bonus. Its their casino and their money!

Yes, they have that right. But, it's the "lame excuses" in the e-mail exchanges that got me wondering.

And I still go back and play there on my own dime every so often and actually win money without their monthly stipend.

One of the things that I like about this casino is their tournaments. But, after the barring experience, I get a little worried about winning a tournament and not getting paid because (fill lame excuse here) I am a professional or something.

 

[wobble33]

prospect
i agree with you mate, but i must admit, i am very bitter about this casino. i deposit $350 every month, and then get the bonus. i never take my deposit out even after losing my bonus. i flat bet $5 on b-jack. everytime i up my stake to $25 i lose hand after hand. this has now happened 4 months in a row. i thought it was just bad luck, but i sent an e-mail to customer services asking why does this happen to me when i up my stake? i didnt get one reply! so i just uninstalled the casino, and i will never ever play their again! i know this is a different subject to your post, but i am sure this casino is dodgy, if not, i am a very unlucky person! so i can now see why people take their deposit out before meeting the wr, but in your case, you dont! just move on to another casino mate, and leave this one well alone!

 

[largeeyes]

I have done quite well at this casino and have lost some of my money but more often finished well over my deposit and bonus. I also play in the poker room. They have been INCREDIBLY accomodating to me and I love playing at the site.

 

[jpm]

One of the things that I like about this casino is their tournaments. But, after the barring experience, I get a little worried about winning a tournament and not getting paid because (fill lame excuse here) I am a professional or something.

I don't think you'd need to worry about that, I can't remember any incident of them not paying a player for a legitimate win. They actually seem to be alot more reasonable than other groups out there, may of whom will completely ban you for 'advantage play' and some that would keep whatever money you had in your account at the time. If you like the software though, just hop over to Intercasino, Will Hill, Peach, Omni, etc. There's a bunch that all have monthly bonuses and probably won't take them away for a few years.

 

[largeeyes]

I don't think you'd need to worry about that, I can't remember any incident of them not paying a player for a legitimate win. They actually seem to be alot more reasonable than other groups out there, may of whom will completely ban you for 'advantage play' and some that would keep whatever money you had in your account at the time. If you like the software though, just hop over to Intercasino, Will Hill, Peach, Omni, etc. There's a bunch that all have monthly bonuses and probably won't take them away for a few years.

Omni is the same company, so I doubt he's welcome there either.

 

[kokoneezz]

Bonus abuser

I am a liitle confused, what is a bonus abuser. The casino's email you these big bonuses all the time, they temped you. Is it only if you win on them that you are considered a bonus abuser. You do risk your deposite don't you. There is a huge amount of play through which i guess could take a long time or a short time according to your bet. If you lose a lot do they consider you a bonus loser. Just wondering.

Kokoneezz

 

[trick]

I too never understood how they can label you an "abuser", if you follow their T&C. They make the rules, we follow them and then they call us abusers.

I am born an abuser most places, since I'm a Dane, so I more or less stopped playing casinos now. I did infact frequent a few casinos without bonuses for a while, but it just takes the piss to be mailed "offer" after "offer" that applies to everybody but you, so I stopped with that too.

I do agree that it is up to the casinos to decide who they wish to offer bonuses, but as stated, THEY make the rules WE have to follow and when I play by the book I don't want to be labelled an "abuser" by some casino offereing bonusses they can't afford..

kokoneezz: If you lose a lot they consider you a bonus sucker and will email you even more offers.

 

[Prospect]

just hop over to Intercasino, Will Hill, Peach, Omni, etc.

Yeap. I am off the promotion list at other places too. But, it was great while it lasted.

 

[jpm]

That's too bad prospect. They took me off the promo list at intercasino, but I still get them at the others. But then again, I hadn't really played at the others as much, so that could be the reason.

The term 'bonus abuser' is really not accurate for this situation. Many casinos used that term, but what they should have said is 'advantage player'. Some are now coming around and using the proper terms. A bonus abuser is someone who for instance claims more than one signup bonus using multiple accounts, etc. Gets bonuses that they are not entitled to. Advantage player is what we are, get the bonus, play it according to the t&c and cash out. There's nothing improper with advantage play, but the abuser is clearly breaking some rule(s).

 

[toofast4u]

Yeah, it is left in the account, and you can't withdraw it until you meet the wagering requirements of it and any and all previous bonuses that you didn't meet w/r on. Not easy to make any money this way, but I would call that bonus abuse since you are basically playing with free money until you hit something big and not putting your own money at risk.

Prospect, you are a bonus hunter. You admit it right in your 2nd paragraph. You deposit, get the bonus, meet the w/r and withdraw. They have every right in the world to deny you the monthly bonus. Its their casino and their money! Why do you think they don't have this right?? And lets be clear, they did NOT kick you out as you state, they simply said you aren't getting a free monthly bonus anymore. Nothing disreputable or rogueish about that.

And I can speak from experience, I used to do the same thing at Intercasino. Did it for years before they finally told me the gravy train had reached the end of the line. I didn't whine about it and accuse them of being a rogue, I was surprised it took so long for them to finally stop it. And I still go back and play there on my own dime every so often and actually win money without their monthly stipend.

The Sands of the Caribbean did NOTHING wrong here.

How can you call someone a bonus abuser if they do not withdraw until the wagering requirements are met?? You stated it right there, Deposit, get bonus, meet wagering requirements, withdraw. A bonus abuser would Deposit, get bonus, withdraw deposit, then play on bonus. I am confused about your statement there.

If a casino has a problem with honoring that bonus after wagering requirements are met then they are trying to screw you. They pretty much want your deposit if you win on it or not. Bigtime thumbs down on this type of treatment.

 

[AZRALU]

YOU MAY BE A BONUS HUNTER,BUT THEY ARE BONUS HUNTER HUNTERS. OTHERWISE WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE BONUSES.

 

[jpm]

How can you call someone a bonus abuser if they do not withdraw until the wagering requirements are met?? You stated it right there, Deposit, get bonus, meet wagering requirements, withdraw. A bonus abuser would Deposit, get bonus, withdraw deposit, then play on bonus. I am confused about your statement there.

If a casino has a problem with honoring that bonus after wagering requirements are met then they are trying to screw you. They pretty much want your deposit if you win on it or not. Bigtime thumbs down on this type of treatment.

Go back and read what I said toofast. I said he's a bonus HUNTER not abuser. As I stated previously, a bonus abuser is one who gets bonuses they are not entitled to, like more than one first deposit bonus, etc. An advantage player (aka bonus hunter) is one that deposits, gets bonus, meets w/r & withdraws. That's what many of us, me included, are. Advantage player/bonus hunters.