Shazam Casino - Player’s bonus winnings have been voided.

I deposited and lost $800 with Shazam, then they gave me $800 in cash back and I got it to $2,400. Shazam proceeded to steal all my winnings, saying that I was not permitted to wager more than $10 according to their terms. This is not only ridiculous but I submit this is considered a predatory practice under CasinoGuru guidelines. I never wager less than $10 I play blackjack online and my wagers are typically $50 to several hundred per wager. I played the cash back consistent with the manner that I played and lost my original deposit.

Shazam's action here of deleting my $2,400 pursuant to a predatory and illegal term in their condition constitutes theft.

Dear Law0451,

Thank you very much for submitting your complaint. I’m sorry to hear about the issue and understand your frustration.

I carefully checked the Bonus Terms on the website, and this is what I found (here):

22.9. During an active bonus, the maximum bet per hand, spin, card, etc., is $10. This maximum bet rule will remain active until the wagering requirements have been completed. Betting above this limit will void the bonus and any winnings thereof.

We would like to see casinos implementing systems that would prevent players from placing higher than allowed bets, but, unfortunately, this is not standard practice yet. You were not stopped or blocked when you decided to increase your bet, and, as a result, you breached the maximum bet rule.

If you are aware of placing higher bets than the allowed ones, sadly, there is not much we can do to support your case at this time. I would strongly recommend reading all the T&Cs carefully before you start playing to avoid any misunderstandings in the future. Casinos try to design their bonuses to be as attractive as possible, but the rules must always be followed.

Please do not hesitate to forward your game and bonus histories along with any relevant communication to petronela.k@casino.guru if you feel that you’ve been accused mistakenly, otherwise, I will be forced to reject your complaint. Thank you in advance for your reply and understanding.

Best regards,

Petronela

No I was NOT aware! I always play at high stakes and the casino was aware of this when they saw that I was playing $50 to table maximum when I was losing my own $800 I deposited. Why do you assume that I was aware of this language buried in the lengthy terms and conditions? If I had known the bet limit was $10 I obviously would not have bet more than $10 with the bonus because then I would know I could not cash out any winnings!

According to CasinoGuru's statement of it position on casino terms and conditions, your platform states:

"Our position

We do not tolerate any hidden or predatory rules because they are unfair towards players and put them at a disadvantage. If we notice them during our review process or if they are brought to our attention through a player complaint, we decrease the reputation rating and also try to get the casino to start behaving fairly if it's within our capabilities."

Here, Shazam's terms and conditions are clearly unfair and predatory in violation of CasinoGuru standards. I played the same way I always play, and I can't imagine playing blackjack as such low and boring stakes as less than $10 per hand, that's absurd, and it defeats the entire point which is placing bets high enough that will generate excitement. For some players perhaps they get excited betting $1 or even 10 cents per hand, for them they will jump up and down if they win a $1 bet on blackjack. That is not be nor higher stakes players in general. We are accustomed to playing at higher stakes. This a a predatory term and condition that Shazam is abusing to steal winnings from high rollers that will most CERTAINLY bet more than a mere $10 without being even made aware of the $10 max bet limitation.

In a physical casino, there are table maximums and minimum, and it was reasonable for me to assume as I did that it was proper for me to bet within the table minimum and maximum set by the casino, I never bet more than the table maximum. Shazam never informed me when they gave the cash back of this $10 limit, despite knowing I am use to playing most hands at table maximum. Shazam knew that I was not made aware of this provision, and abused it to unfairly and unlawfully steal my winnings.

I submit that the provision and its use by Shazam, especially the way they used to is confiscate my legitimate winning under the facts of this case was predatory, and violated CasinoGuru standards.

Dear Law0451,

Please understand that a maximum bet rule is not hidden or predatory. It is standard for the majority of casinos to have limits applied for bets while there's an active bonus. I absolutely agree that it would be ideal to have these rules enforced but sadly, not many casinos do.

You are right that if you play in a regular brick-and-mortar casino this wouldn't happen. The reason is that you do not play with bonuses in those casinos, but with your real money. Bonuses in online casinos are designed to be as attractive as possible but the rules must always be followed.

I wish I could be of more help. I’m sorry we couldn’t help you to resolve this case, but please do not hesitate to contact us if you run into any issues with any other casino in the future. For the abovementioned reasons, I will now reject this complaint. Thank you for your understanding.