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Errant customer had his cake, tried to eat Hollywood too!

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  • Errant customer had his cake, tried to eat Hollywood too!

    In regard to the FBallLover who’d “like to bash Hollywood”(posted 10/10/2001): Let’s tell it as it is. When this particular customer called to discuss opening an account with us, Hollywood offered our regular 15% sign-up bonus. He then asked for, and did in fact receive, a 20% bonus on a very specific condition, which was explained to him quite clearly: because of the exceptional nature of this bonus, he must play his initial deposit five times over to be eligible to cash it out.

    The client immediately placed three wagers, two of which he won, the other being a push. He requested a payout of $4,000. After a good deal of discussion and consideration, the manager consented to the payout, but reiterated even more explicitly to the client that he must roll over the deposit five times – with no payouts in the interim – to be eligible to cash out the bonus. Otherwise, he would lose it.

    The customer obviously seemed satisfied, as he continued to wager a further $10,000 with us, coming out more or less even.

    He then asked to cash out his balance of about $7,100 by NETeller. As Hollywood had already made several NETeller payouts that day, and was in the midst of wiring more money to the account, we offered a cashier’s check. This was refused.

    Immediately the NETeller account had been replenished, the amount was sent as requested.

    Hollywood’s policy on premium bonuses is clear and unequivocal: the recipient must play both it and his/her deposit several times over to be eligible to cash out the bonus. With our regular 15% sign-up bonus, we ask a three-time rollover of both.

    We are indeed flexible, we gave the client a very generous 20% as requested – but we also stipulated that to qualify, he roll the money over five times.

    If a customer wins at Hollywood, he/she can cash out winnings at ANY time. However, the bonus must be earned before it can be cashed out. It is earned by being rolled over.

    Any client can use the generous bonus Hollywood provides to wager, and then to immediately cash out winnings. Perfect. But the bonus amount will be deducted from those winnings if it and the initial deposit have not previously been played at least three times over. Period.

    Hollywood has had little problem with this policy; virtually all sign-ups agree that it is absolutely fair. So we are easily able to single out the customer in question.

    Hollywood International Sportsbook and Casino has an unblemished, solid reputation for fair and rapid payouts, and we do everything possible to accommodate clients. But in the end run, it comes down to this: we offer some of the best sign-up bonuses in the industry – all we ask is that the client roll it over three times, along with the initial deposit, before cashing it out..

    Richard Farmer
    Customer Service Manager
    Hollywood International Sportsbook and Casino

  • #2
    From what I can see, I have to agree with Hollywood. Here is the excerpt from their website:

    "To cash out this 15% sign-up bonus, clients are expected to roll over their initial deposit at least three times. Please call Customer Service toll-free at 1-800-220-0002 for precise details."

    IMHO, just about ANY rules or conditions on bonuses are OK so long as those details are spelled out.

    As a suggestion, it might be a good idea to provide those precise cetails in writing, directly on the website, to be sure that no customer misunderstands them. We've seen lots of cases in which a clerk giving such details over the phone results in a misunderstanding.

    Comment


    • #3
      Dear Mr. Farmer,

      With all due respect, you are mistaken. The reason I gave back the bonus was because YOU WOULD NOT LET ME WITHDRAW MY WINNINGS.

      To come in the site and state otherwise is an outright lie.

      I play middles, I spend all day looking for numbers that would create a desirable situation to attempt going for a middle or side, be it football or basketball.

      The reason I had to withdraw all my money from your book is precisely BECAUSE you wouldn't let me withdraw my winnings and couldn't tell me when asked when your bonus policy would be fullfilled. In the words of someone in your company "when we think there's enough action."

      If you thought I was going to let a substantial portion of my bankroll go to your book you were sadly mistaken. When you attempt middles, books can get jacked up pretty quick even though you're losing money by not hitting.

      After your statements I had zero confidence in your book and thought it prudent to get the heck out of there, so much so that I said stick your bonus where the sun doesn't shine (not in those words). Then it took more than two weeks to get paid on your "instant Neteller payout."

      Comment


      • #4
        I must disagree with Hollywood.

        That the deposit and bonus must be rolled over 5x was clear - however, that winnings above the deposit+bonus could not be withdrawn is certainly not clear.

        It is my understanding that the industry norm is that winnings above the deposit+bonus can be withdrawn at any time. It is only the deposit+bonus which cannot be withdrawn until rolled over 5x.

        Since Hollywood appears to have a winnings withdrawal policy different than the industry norm (at least different from every book I have ever played with), its bonus policy as stated is misleading ...

        Comment


        • #5
          FootballLover - tell me, I pray, what do middles have to do with the price of onions? The fact remains, Sir, that you tried to walk away with a chunk of Hollywood’s cash which you did not earn. Was there ever the prospect of your NOT being paid? Indeed not. Was there ever the prospect of your not receiving ALL of your actual winnings? Indeed not. You made a NETeller request higher than the amount Hollywood was prepared to pay out. Hollywood made an offer of what it considered fair via certified check. Once an accord was reached - granted, it did take longer than it might have, I will admit - that amount was made readily available by NETeller. Face the facts, FootballLover, and don’t rationalize the bane of your existence.

          Mark Sydney
          Marketing and Customer Service
          Hollywood International Sportsbook and Casino

          Comment


          • #6
            There should not have been any discussion about the withdrawal of winnings over and above the initial deposit and bonus. That is just plain wrong. He's not touching what he intially sent in. YOU still have that. That player is posting up with you. Now you want to hold his winnings hostage?

            It also sounds as if there was no clear cut answer as to when his bonus was his. He says you said "when we feel there's been enough action" and you say you told him 5 times rollover.

            I imagine the answer is probably in the middle somewhere.

            Comment


            • #7
              Now I'm confused - the Hollywood post states a five-time rollover, but I copied the thrept-Lme rollover requirement right off their website.

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