In a recent issue of Gambling Bits,
we discussed many of the important player incentive options
offered by gambling sites. These included VIP membership, referral
programs, and various types of deposit bonuses. If you remember,
one of my warnings was to avoid sites that require excessive
play before the bonus is awarded. Now, we move onto the next
level of bonus problems - outright scams.One of the simplest,
and most effective of the bonus scams is targeted at players
that have either been banned (either justly or unjustly) from
a casino, or who have already used up their initial deposit
bonus money. Since online casinos are always in need of a continuous
stream of deposits from proven gamblers, this gem of a scam
works to draw in players who have played and since moved on
to other sites. These players receive an e-mail offering them
a bonus if they deposit money into their existing account. However,
after the player has deposited the money, no bonus is forthcoming.
Casinos simply state that the player is not eligible to receive
a bonus. Gamblers, being who they are, tend to play their deposit
anyway - which is exactly what the casinos want to happen.
Even more painful, some casinos have been known to offer bonuses
to get a player to deposit, give them a bonus, and then refuse
to pay anything, even their initial deposit, if the player wins.
Many casinos then cite "Bonus Abuse" as the reason
for denying the cash out, and simply refuse to respond to any
requests for explanations by the player, knowing full well that
there is no governing body who can act against them.Next
