Joined: 5/18/2010(UTC)
Posts: 49
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There used to be just one excuse that a casino would make when it didn't want to pay someone. It would call him a "bonus abuser" and that would mean just about anything the casino wanted it to.
Recently, however, some on line casinos have come up with another one: "Professional gambler". Again, they give no real definition for this. Sometimes they tell you that you have been going from casino to casino to get bonuses and that makes you a "professional" player. Other times, they say that your betting system does.
In fact, as manager of Gambling Grumbles, I have even seen one casino call someone a "professional" because he bet $100 per hand in blackjack and the very same casino call someone else a professional because he bet $3 per hand!
In all cases, however, the casinos refuse to pay out winnings. True, they usually (but not always) return your deposit but they keep your winnings. Naturally, if someone plays and loses, the casino does not decide he is a bonus abuser or a professional player. The person who loses is fine and dandy and the casino is happy to honor all of his bets -- and to keep his money.
As players, I think we should put an end to these scams -- and the only way we can do that is by banding together and refusing to play at a casino unless it agrees to pre-approve us.
When you sign up for a casino, or are about to make a deposit in a casino where you have played before, send them the following e-mail. If they do not agree to its terms, do not play there:
Hi,
I have just signed up for your casino (OR: "I am about to make a deposit".) My account number is ____________.
I have been reading on line about quite a few casinos which have been denying payouts to players, calling them either "bonus abusers" or "professionals" and/or denying the validity of their identity documents.
I know that I am in no way either a bonus abuser or a professional and that my identity documents are valid, but I want to be certain that you know that, too.
Before I make any deposit, I ask that:
1. You confirm that you have investigated me to your own satisfaction and that I have no record of being either a bonus abuser or a professional gambler anywhere.
2. You confirm that my identity documents are satisfactory to you (I am willing to send them before playing if you will tell me what you need).
3. That as long as I do not violate any of the Terms and Conditions which are clearly and specifically spelled out on your website, you will pay my full account balance (including deposits, bonuses, and winnings). You will not require me to playthrough a larger amount than a specific bonus offer requires.
4. Should you, at some time in the future, feel that for any reason I am not the kind of player that you want, you will notify me of this and block my account but only after paying me my entire balance up to that point.
Given the number of players who have been accused of bonus abuse and/or being a professional, I do not feel safe in playing at any casino without first getting this confirmation. I will therefore not be making my deposit until I receive your reply.
Sincerely,
Your Name
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Joined: 5/24/2010(UTC)
Posts: 9
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Quote:As players, I think we should put an end to these scams -- and the only way we can do that is by banding together and refusing to play at a casino unless it agrees to pre-approve us.
Steve, I think this is a great plan. Of course some rogue casinos might not honour their pre-approval. But at least it will sift out the large majority who are cheats. It seems it will give you an added weapon when dealing with casinos that do misbehave. The worst is being in the dark, not knowing whether one's hard earned winnings will be stolen. Getting the casino to commit upfront not to confiscate winnings arbitrarily can only help.
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Joined: 9/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 8
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Steve, I think this is an awesome idea! 
As Genie stated it should sift out the cheats and rogue casinos quickly. At least we can hope!
I've been ripped off a couple of times, back in the days when online gambling was fairly new.
Maybe a document like this would have given me the protection I needed.
Thanks for one more way to try to keep the casinos honest!
VegasBaby
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Joined: 11/9/2010(UTC) Posts: 28  Location: Canada
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Steve I think that is an awesome idea though I would hope that we don't have to deal with too many of those rogue casinos. The interesting things you find out when you read these forums very vey informative. I must say that I do use the bonuses that the different casinos offer and many times walk away after the bonus has run its' course but at the same time I have to say in my favor that when I find a casino I like and that has a few paying games then I will make a deposit and patronize that casino. I may walk away from the other sites because I don't like the set up or the games offered or for whatever reason but if I like the games and the setup then I don't want to walk away after I have played out the bonus and I will stay and play longer and though I may not return for a long time I do return in time. I would hope that using the bonuses as a way to introduce myself to the different casinos doesn't make me a bonus abuser in their eyes as I do make deposits at a few different sites. I will keep the letter in mind for the next time I get my balance up high enough to make a withdrawal again in the future. Thanks again for sharing this idea with everyone.....
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Joined: 7/2/2011(UTC) Posts: 611 
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I actually followed Steve's steps exactly, a few years ago. You would be surprised to find that most casinos (most of them considered reputable casinos according to more online sources) did not replied back to me! And I have tested this idea at about 20 casinos!
From that moment I gave up at playing with bonuses. (Nowadays it's a rarity if you see me playing on a bonus.) But now I am insisting on getting my docs verified and approved before making a withdrawal. I still find casinos rejecting my docs because they didn't asked for. :)
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Joined: 5/24/2010(UTC)
Posts: 27
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I also followed Steve's advice, but found it made the casino suspicious.
They couldn't understand that their reluctance to pre-approve me made me suspicious of them.
Has anyone else tried the Pre-Approval route?
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Joined: 5/18/2010(UTC)
Posts: 49
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I have and it worked -- admittedly, I did it only at one casino (which also pre-approved me for a partner casino) but I have long felt that if you find a casino and are satisfied with it you should stay with it.
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