Beware of Predatory Terms at Astral Bet & Wild Jackpot Casinos

GoWild Affiliates are at it again! Not too long ago, we published a comprehensive report detailing the predatory terms and conditions of GoWild Casino. What concerned us most were rules pertaining to promotional and bonus abuse, which we found especially shady, although some of their withdrawal terms were also ripe for revision. Now it seems their sister brands, Wild Jackpots and Astral Bet launched in 2015 and 2016 respectively, propagate the same dubious policy. We'll give examples below, so you know what you're getting yourself into in case you are, or planning to become a member at any of these casinos.

To be strict is one thing, but outright violating every player's fundamental rights is a completely different ball game. Playing with bonus money, we are always on a shaky ground. These days, casinos are particularly sensitive about promotional exploitation, and players taking unfair advantage of their bonus offers. But, if we are to respect their boundaries, then we must know what they are!

''We will determine what constitutes bonus abuse or fraudulent activity at our sole discretion.''

Fine, but when? Perhaps after a hefty win has already occurred? This is a very convenient excuse, indeed, for operators to change the rules of game retroactively when they are not too fond of the outcome. It is only fair to come forward and say: this and that is not allowed, then use sleazy tactics such as this.

Here are some more shiny examples of DISHONEST wagering rules, maximum bet restrictions and similar mischief both sites share. Easily missed, these are almost never found in individual bonus rules. You have to look in the general terms and conditions buried in a wall of text, which most players rarely ever bother to do.

Promotional and Offer Abuse

''Decreasing your stake amount by 60% or more after a large win for the purpose of clearing wagering requirements while a bonus is still active. For example, winning $/£/€100 on any spin including a double up and reducing your stake amount to $/£/€40 or less''

''Two tier betting, where the player places large bets on high variance outcomes, then switches to normal variance outcomes in order to clear wagering requirements.''

''Moving from a game with a low wagering contribution (e.g. 25% or less) to one with a higher wagering contribution (e.g. 70% or more) after large wins, for the sole purpose of clearing wagering requirements.''

''Placing one or more wagers on a game with a weighting of 20% or less towards wagering, winning 100% more than the corresponding stake, and moving your original stake and winnings to a game weighted at 100% in order to meet wagering requirements; for example (but not limited to) wagering on roulette, winning, then moving your game play to slots in order to clear wagering requirements.''

''using the double-up feature to increase bet values; placing even money bets on Baccarat, Blackjack and Roulette and/or building a balance and significantly changing play patterns for example bet size, game types and bet structures etc.''

''If you wager more than 10% of a no-deposit bonus on a single bet, spin or round, your bonus and winnings may be voided.''

Irrespective of whether these betting strategies are worthwhile or not, we should be able to place any value wagers we see fit, in any order we want. If certain betting patterns are more likely to result in favorable outcomes, then it is a fundamental ''fault'' of the game itself and should be taken as is by those who want to run a gambling business. You don't punish players for the shortcomings of the game.

Outside of gameplay to clear a bonus, we should be able to change betting patterns, bet sizes or structures, and game types, as there is no reason to consider any such action exploitative or illegal. Of course, players are changing bets all the time, and what is significantly varied or frequent is subjective. Punishing these actions means purposefully creating an environment where losing, or winning less is more likely. Deliberately forcing players to act against their best interest is not justifiable by any standard.

If, among a specific group of games allowed for bonus play, are both games with high and low wagering contributions, then we'd have to be pretty stupid to continue the play-through on the latter when we have more funds to work with. It is, after all, the sole purpose of claiming a bonus to clear it and cash-out.

Restricting maximum bets while wagering winnings from bonuses may be common, bu that doesn't make it fair. If you don't want players to profit from a no-deposit bonus, don't offer free stuff, it's as simple as that.

General Terms and Conditions

4.4. Depending on the method selected, deposits and withdrawals may incur charges.

Deposits should never have any charges or fees put to them, but it is a different story with withdrawals. In some cases, it may be understandable for casinos to want to cover costs via smaller fees, but than we have to consider other aspects, such as the minimum cash-out limit or how long payouts take to process, the minimum deposit playthrough and whether or not we are playing with a bonus. Withdrawal fees are disadvantageous for low-rollers, especially when combined with high minimum allowable cash-out limit.

4.11 Once received in an acceptable and unambiguous format, it will take up to 5 business days to process your documents, after which you will be able to make withdrawals.

Not overly long, but consider the fact there are many casinos with close to instant payouts without any fees charged. Five working days is still longer than average between reputable sites.

3.6. We reserve the right to close your Player Account and to refund to you the balance, subject to the deduction of relevant withdrawal charges, at our absolute discretion and without any obligation to state a reason or give prior notice.

It wouldn't be pleasant to try to log in and discover your account terminated suddenly and without justification. There is always a reason, and it's due respect to explain your actions to customers that have put their trust (and money) in your website and services.