A question to the forum

[arizona8]

hoops,

I am going to take the book side on this issue, there not in the business to give money away to bonus hoppers. If you want to test the withdrawl leave 5 dimes in there, and with regards to your $35,000 in handle, that is very small considering you posted up for $20,000. You fit the bonus hopper material to a t, not saying you are, but that is why they have those rules in place.

[Hoopsguy]

Hey Az, you sound just like Dan at Casablanca. If they don't want to give away money, they shouldn't offer the bonus. I have
no shame about going after bonuses! At the majority of books once you've rolled your account balance over you get the bonus, plain
and simple. Why don't books just tell the truth and say "if you lose with us we'll be happy to give you a bonus"? Like the 15% back on losses at SOS, they're telling you up front you're going to lose! What's the incentive for someone that actually wins? If you ask me offshore books should offer a bonus! If I'm going to send 20-50k halfway around the world on "faith" I'd better get something to justify the risk! Why should they get an interest free loan? I live in Vegas and could just bet at the casino's with
zero risk. Others could bet with locals that have proven themselves with 20+ year track records. Because let me tell you something, we haven't seen the last disappearing act from an offshore book! I can't say who or when but it will happen. Also, believe it or not one of the books on the left has stiffed someone I know personally out of over 100 dimes! They made some BS "payment arrangement" which still hasn't been satisfied. I'm sory that I don't want to get all sentimental and touchy/feelie with my book like Hartley, but once I've got a decent balance I want to test the payouts, especially the FIRST one. Yeah, I know I could ask for 5 dimes but what does that prove when they've got another 25? I ask for most of it, if they pay promptly not knowing whether they'll ever see another cent from me then I'll feel they're a solid book. Just my opinion. Hoops

[Hoopsguy]

Hey Bighands, from what I understand Millenium requires that you leave your deposit 60 days to get the 20% I personally would never do that. On another subject, what about Y2K? I know I'll be playing my bowl games on the Las Vegas strip.

[Underdog7]

Hoopsguy - I have something to ask you. Just don't want to expose it yet. Send me your email address if you could at udog7sb@hotmail.com. Thanks.

[greg]

should be able to get refund after turning over opening balance, maybe the would return opening balance and profit and keep bonus on hold until 30 days. I think books are asking for it when they give out bonuses without more restrictions. If you live in vegas why risk the overseas gig?

[reno]

Hoopsguy, I don't want to state every book that I feel comfortable having 25 dimes with, because it might offend the ones I don't list. Many of the book I play with know, or have figured out, who I am. Sportsmarket, as I stated earlier in Bettorsworld, is A-Ok, and I never worry about having 25+ dimes there. I haven't played with Pinnacle. Sportsmarket is an outstanding Curacao sportsbook, and Oasis is also a reputable Curacao outfit that no one, as far as I know, has complained about.

[reno]

One thing I should also state is that some of my accounts where I would feel comfortable having over 25 dimes, I never reach that amount. That is because they have smaller limits, or I don't put that many plays in there. For example, I keep a relatively low balance at CRIS, because I just don't find that many good numbers there. However, I'd feel very comfortable with over 25 dimes there if I needed that amount.

[Hoopsguy]

Hey Reno, if you'd like email me the answer at legend1@lvcm.com. I'd like to hear your take on the state of the offshore industry. Thanks..Hoops

[Rawhide]

Hoopsguy,

Don't worry about getting paid, you will get your money. I have about 15 dimes with them right now and I am content with my experience, the services they provide, and their payouts. I would suggest that you keep betting normally, but that decision is up to you. However, I do sympathize with your situation and I think books should start being very clear about their bonus policies. However, I still suggest that you play offshore and I would suggest you try Canbet or Victor Chandler if you are still interested in solid books who gives out bonuses. I think Canbet is still giving 15% and if I remember correctly, Victor Chandler gives 10% for new accounts. By the way, along with Canbet and Victor Chandler, I consider WWTS, CRIS, and Bowmans as books who are on my "Hall of Fame" list as books where I would not worry about keeping large sums of money and in my next group of books, I would include Olympic, SOS, Premiere, Carib, Post Time, WSEX, Pinnacle, Casablanca, GSC, and ABC.

[Casablanca]

Hoopsguy

We are aware of the situation that you have had and I believe that I personally spoke to you over the phone to explain the situation.
The bonus incentive is used to stay competitive with the other books in the industry that offer it. It is our way to thank you for trusting us enough to hold your funds while you play with us.

However, what you may not realize is that there are many customers out there who specifically send in money in order to get the bonus only to withdraw the funds a few days later. The reason that we have the policy of thirty days is to protect our business from this type of practice. It is not meant to be a scam but more of a way to protect a business that is responsible for making sure that all of its customers get paid.
We also tell customers that they need to play in action at least five times the amount of the deposit over the course of the thirty days. Simply putting into action the amount of the deposit is not justified win or lose.

You may not agree with the policy but think of it another way. If you are currently playing with a book that allows you to post funds and then withdraw the funds after limited play then is your money really safe?
Realistically, sportsbooks hold 5% of their gross during football season.(This number can vary greatly based on luck or the experience of the linesmaker) Expenses are then taken off this gross figure to leave the net profit for the business. Assuming you put into action the $35,000 that you say you have my business is theoretically left with a profit of $1750 from your play. Why should I let you keep $2000 when I may or may not have won $1750 from you. Plain and simple this is bad business. Ask any CEO in the world whether a business can succeed with this business practice and they will say no.

Therefore, if you currently do play with a book that does this I would suggest that you think twice about keeping your money with them.

I want to provide my customers with a place where they can feel secure sending their money to. If this means that I have to set up safety checks along the way to protect the business and the money of my other customers then I will definitely do it.

I apologize for the whole misunderstanding and I will take action to make sure that it is explained better over the phones. My marketing reps are trained to make the customer aware of the rules of the bonus but I will work harder to make sure it is being done.(Also, it is posted on the bottom of the promotions page of my website)

I hope you will reconsider if you choose not to play with Casablanca. I cannot promise you the bonus that you think you were cheated out of but I can make sure that you will always get paid promptly.


I am available everyday from 9:00AM Eastern until 10:30 PM Eastern. Feel free to call me anytime if any other problems arise in the future.

Thank You
Michael
Operations Manager
mike@wagerweb.com

O

[Underdog7]

Casablanca - In fairness to your operation, I can't really say anything negative about it simply because I haven't dealt with you guys. What I'm going to say is just simply plain comment. I am against the fact that you have to play "five times" of your deposit within thirty days to get the bonus. I do respect your regulation if that the case but it would be very difficult for you guys to compete with others if that rule stands. My opinion whick I think is just fair. A client who played the whole amount of deposit in regardless if it was a day or a year is entitled to a bonus. That is just simple fair and square. Anyway, good luck to you.

[bbuster]

Hey Mike since we have your attention.

I think you guys have a good operation and are a safe and quality book as far as money and payouts go, but I think your online wagering site needs a lot of work, it is slow and a pain to navigate often it would only work if I had no more than 3 browsers open. I would recommend copying WSEX,OLYMPIC, or PREMIERE. This is the only reason that I did not re up my account when I lost the first batch of bullets.

[WhiteShoes]

guys, I've been a customer at casablanca off
and on for the past year, and feel as safe
here as just about any other book. Here's
my 2 cents on the bonuses: The thirty
day limit is reasonable and prudent, otherwise you'll see someone bet through
the account and two days later ask for
whatever is left. (usually if he's won
more than he put in) As their manager
stated, this would be shear lunicy for
any book. You can however, take out any
winnings you might make during that first
30 days....and if you happen to lose money
at any time, well, you can send in more and
get more bonuses. That is exactly what
they want. (and what any reasonable player
should expect and want) The book that offers
continual bonuses is simply looking for one
thing, that is: for their customers who lose, to come back, (send money) and keep
playing. Nothing wrong with that. And for
people who win, well, they don't really affect the bonus situation since they aren't
sending in money, right? The books that offer these do so to keep customers. (or
in some cases, mearly attract)

[Casablanca]

I appreciate the criticism of my online software but I would like to know specifically what problems you have had with the system.
I know in the past both Reno and now bbuster have had complaints with the software.
It was designed by my own in-house programmer. We currently have used the system for over a year and have sold it to other books as well.
If you have specific criticisms I can start working on improving them immediately.
Your opinions mean alot to me based on the fact that you have used so many different systems out there.
Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Michael
mike@wagerweb.com

[mls]

The software is fine; however, it is the by far the slowest of all the offshore sportsbooks I know of (even during off peak hours - in fact, at ALL times it is slowwww). I assume it is a hardware problem.