CASABLANCA'S BONUS PROGRAM

[Junior44]

Pardon me, but I have a big problem with "bonuses". In otherwords, just what exactly constitutes a "bonus" when sending funds to a book. I hate to get technical but the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines BONUS as: Something in addition to what is expected or strictly due......Hmmmm. Well, what exactly are these books giving us IN ADDITION to what is expected? Or, more precisely, when is a bonus not a bonus? This whole bogus...errrr bonus deal with these books has turned into a big circus. Is anybody getting MORE than what they expected? Usually (like the case above), it's the other way around. Books advertise these complex bonus schemes and it usually turns out to be LESS than what was expected. In otherwords, the "bonus" created high expectations that weren't fulfilled so, really, what we are getting is an anti-bonus.

Quote from Casablanca: "New account that open with $250 or more get
a FREE WAGER equal to 20% of their deposit
Deposit $250 and get a FREE $50 Bet On Us!"

However, if you decide that you do not want the FREE PLAY and would rather have a bonus credited to your account then you would be subject to our 5X's & 30 day rule."

What? Do I need a course in temporal logic to decipher that? Oh, and don't forget about the 5X AND 30 day "rule". What a bunch of crap. Folks, these are not bonuses. These are marketing ploys to get you to deposit your loot. An actual bonus requires ONE line, such as: Deposit $1000 and receive 20% cash in your account, $1200. Correct me if I'm wrong, but to me, THAT is a bonus. Not, if you deposit $500 or more between the hours of 9:00am and 1:00pm on Thursdays, you will receive a free, complementary, match-play bonus of up to 10% of your original deposit or $150 (whichever is less), OR receive a FREE 3-team $50 parlay that can be used at your discretion. However, this parlay must be called in on Friday's (to beat the rush) and redeemed within 15 days of your original deposit. *Does not apply to residents of Indiana and cannot be redeemed on St Swithen's day.

My point is: The only valid bonus in my book is a straight cash bonus. However, this is not required nor expected. Depositing funds in a nice, established sportsbook and being treated like a human being is just fine with me. Save the bells and whistles.......

[BOOKYBASHR]

Bonus paramaters were added by all "solid" sportsbooks years ago. When some people out there looking for a free buck & free ride figured out that playing "the bonus game" with multiple books could make serious cash, qualifying rules for bonuses were implemented. Add in a few chargebacks to the books that the "bonus hunters" actaully lose $ to and its a large hit to the sportsbook community as a whole. There really aren't "bonuses" anymore in the industry. In my opinion, you can call them all "comps" now. Meaning, "Come play with us and we'll give you a litle something once you've proven yourself to be a good customer." The 3X, 5X, and minimum day requirements are just a way to scare away the "bonus hunters." When a book has to tell a potential customer that they have to "earn" a bonus, its not really a bonus (its a comp). Try going up to a BJ table in Vegas and ask for a 15% bonus when you buy a nickel in chips. The pit boss will kick you a free meal after you dump your cash, but I've never seen them hand out chips for simply walking into the pit and changing a few honeybees. Choose a sportsbook based on wagering options and customer service that suits your needs, not on what they're willing to give you for walking in the door. The books that give away the most, are the books that need your $$ to stay afloat the most.

[Junior44]

Bookybashr -

Exactly my point. The whole "bonus" situation has changed drastically in the last year or two. I don't know who the first book was that offered a bonus, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that it was a straight cash bonus. You call them comps and that's a good description. But whatever they are, they are definately NOT bonuses. Like you said, they are clearly marketing strategies to draw business. Nothing more, nothing less. Why are there book such as WSEX, etc that don't offer bonuses? Because people will play with them whether they offer a bonus or not. They are a solid sportsbook with a good reputation, excellent software, and I KNOW my money is safe and I will be able to receive it when I want to. Those factors and the peace of mind that I receive with books such as this is the best possible bonus that I can think of.......

[This message has been edited by Junior44 (edited 10-17-2000).]

[Underdog7]

Jr44 - Even WSEX is offering a 10% on bank wire.

[Railbird]

The free play bonus is a way to deceive people,and thats what people like Dave Johnson and John Edens thrive on.

[sportshobby]

Oh, come on guys, how can you "rail" a book that offers a bonus and praise those that don't (unless you are from the other side of the counter and would like to see such promotions end)?

[Underdog7]

I don't thing DECEIVE is the right word to use. I believe it is just an honest MISUNDERSTANDINGS between a player and the sportsbook.

[sportshobby]

This whole thread is starting to pi$$ me off. Apart from the juicy bonuses at Jazz Sports, the best present I've gotten this fall is a cool $1000 cash bonus from Casablanca. And good, much improved customer service to boot.

And here is this thread with a catastrophic title giving Casa a bad name for their efforts. Somebody please lock this thread and let it die.