Bonus time is here and it pays to shop around, but ...

[Dark Horse]

be careful.

Example:

http://www.betonline.com/promotions

Notice the clear mention of a cash bonuses. 45% cash on 2K.


Not free plays. Cash.

So here is the e-mail response from BetOnline when I inquired about this.

This is ---- from BetOnline.com

As part of our standart bonuses offered unfortunately we don't offer such promotion, Unless otherwise authorized by management.

In the other hand we do offer up to a 45% freeplay bonus on any deposit of 2k or more as well as other great promotions on our sportsbook and top of the line casino.

If you have any other questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,

I'm not getting down on BOL. They can play the game however they want. And quite often, in a sportsbook, the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. So it pays to get it in print, preferably e-mail. Once you send in the money, it's too late to make changes (and the book may change the wording to their advantage).

[Johnny 55]

I think there is a saying about a gift horse or something that applies here, please dont speak bad about Bet Online, their lines are tasty.

[tblues2005]

I say be careful there on these.

[Dark Horse]

After I pointed out that the site mentions CASH bonuses:

This is -------------- from betOnline.com

All of our clients enjoy of unmatched benefits in the Industry. You receive Up to 45% in freeplay bonus, on all eligible deposits of $100 or more.

Free Play is a bonus we award to our members. You may use this bonus to take action on straight bets, parlays, and teasers. If the wager is won, the winnings become part of your active balance.

There is no time frame for you to use this bonus, as you may even use it if you happen to run out of funds. It's free action!

If you are interested in making a deposit today, feel free to contact us via LIVE CHAT at anytime. Just ask for me and I will be more than happy to assist you.

Blablablablabla. Not a word in response to my point that the site mentions cash bonus. Thanks for making it easy.

Shopping list:
Betonline

[BigdaddyQH]

Welcome to the world of OffShore book ripoffs. There are only about 500 more that are still active. When someone cashes out for 7 figures, let me know. Until then, I hope that allof you have a nice "good-bye" party for your money. Off Shore books are in business for one reason only. To take your money. They will succeed, one way or another.

[gryfyn1]

I think there is a saying about a gift horse or something that applies here, please dont speak bad about Bet Online, their lines are tasty.

It not that he's bashing Betonline perse, although the are at fault here, be hes warning people ot beware of any deal they think they may be getting and to confirm the actual truth,

--for whether is just an unintentional wording issue, or a method to dupe people errors like these can happen at any book -- so pay attention.

[mtneer1212]

The damn shame of it is...... BetOnline could be an awesome book. They have good software, a lot of nice little contests, etc...... I really want to play there, but everytime I start to get the urge, they pull something that turns me way off.

[Dark Horse]

Made a good deal today with another book. Won't mention it here, but negotiating is definitely worth it.


As to BOL, my point was to show the gap between what can be offered on a website, and how any book may choose the interpret it very differently once the money has been transferred. If a book specifically mentions cash bonus and adds not a word about free play under that section, some books can be trusted and others can't. If BOL didn't have this intention to fool people, they would offer the bonus as a free play. For the record, out of courtesy I didn't mention the names of the BOL people responding, but they were two different people, so this can not be represented as a mistake in retrospect.

[mtneer1212]

Made a good deal today with another book. Won't mention it here, but negotiating is definitely worth it.

C'mon Dark horse -- give some details.....

[Dark Horse]

Can't do that. You gotta make your own deals.

[jackkkk2009]

They should offer cash bonus in lower percentage (20% or 25%) better than high percentage free-play.

[Mudcat]

They should offer cash bonus in lower percentage (20% or 25%) better than high percentage free-play.

I feel the exact opposite of this.

[Dr.Gonzo]

They should offer cash bonus in lower percentage (20% or 25%) better than high percentage free-play.

If you bet a free play at 10/1 you only lose 10% of the value.

Go wide on your free plays and they are great value.

[mathdotcom]

Dark Horse, I agree with your point that you should always get everything in writing before you deposit. But this page is not as misleading as you make it out to be.

If you click on the link that says Up to 45% extra, it then has a table that clearly says Free Play Bonus. And below in the rules it keeps mentioning freeplay and does not mention the word cash anywhere.

The reason they say "Start winning before you make a single play with our cash bonuses", is probably to imply that their bonuses can easily be translated into cash for you - as opposed to other bonuses like being able to participate in contests or be eligible for draw prizes, or getting a free t-shirt in the mail. It could be made clearer, but your comment about the posted chat is over the top. Books always seem to reply to questions indirectly (they have macros to reply to certain questions obviously), and while they do not explicitly acknowledge the ambiguity on the website, they still provided you with the answer you needed - and in fact clicking on that link on the website would have too.

You're making a mistake by giving up on a great book over a single potentially misleading comment on their website which you've since clarified. This is a part of the business I imagine you'd be used to by now. But let me know if you find another shop that has at least a 45% FP bonus and great lines and high limits. . . .

(And on a side note, my view is that BetOnline's customer service is unrivaled.)

[Dark Horse]

Response from betonline, the poster (received through pm). In fairness to BOL, the present bonus offer is not the end of the line. They are planning to get their better-bonus-guarantee back up and running...

Hey mate

Although I've been here 9 months (feels like 9 years now) I'm just getting to fixing the site language.. I'm also working on new bonus schemes--bt you're right in your later posts: don't ask, don't get. ALWAYS pays to negotiate with your book as they WILL (if smart) bend the rules to keep you playing.... that's one reason we're going to go to very base level bonuses AND have the better bonus guarantee again when we're back i season, which I think is th ideal bonus for engaging with players who care about bonuses.

Wish I could post my response dirctly but have been asked to only use PM--feel free to quote and post though if it moves you!

Cheers

Alex

That's a good offer. When it comes to this stuff, if at all possible, talk to the decision maker. The difference, as shown in this brief exchange, can be night and day.

[bigugly]

A) People assuming this bonus is cash likely wouldn't know the difference between cash and a freeplay anyway.

B) If the bonus was CASH, I'd find their business model pretty questionable.