thanks everyone for your replies. The whole thing really sucks. Just posted here as a record of my experience and also knowing that there was little else I could do about it!

You're all correct as well. I should have researched. Unfortunately, I naively accepted the results of a search made for 'trusted crypto casinos' and seeing bitstarz being highly recommended on whatever blog post I opened. I wish I had looked into it further and certainly know better. But, lesson learnt

I joined a different casino the next day which has amazing rake backs and very very luckily managed to win half the money lost on Bitstarz back. So, definitely softened the blow. Amazingly, I was able to withdraw the entire amount without issue!

Again, I just wanted to make a record of my experience so others can be warned but, thank you all for your comments and feedback

So, had a horrendous experience with Bitstarz. Wish I had done some simple searching before depositing but you live and learn. Thought i'd make this post to warn others after seeing multiple other posts here relating to Bitstarz.

I signed up and deposited 2 ETH and lost. I then deposited another 1 ETH and noticed (after already spinning some slots several times) that a bonus had automatically been applied

As the wagering requirement had already started, i moved on and didn't think to forfeit the bonus (although i am not sure whether i would have been able to at that point)

I intentionally rejected the bonus offers on the first deposit as i am aware of wagering requirements etc and was happy to use raw cash

Spun up a grand prize on Buffalo Grand and found my balance up around 22 ETH. Needless to say, i was pretty happy with that!

Remembered that the Bonus had been applied previously and upon checking the wagering requirements, saw that I had approximately 70% left to wager. Continued playing while working down this wager.

Got very luck on several slots and saw my balance now increase from 22ETH to around 26ETH. At this point, wagering requirement had been met.

Wanted to withdraw a portion of winnings so as not to burn my balance and, as i had signed up that day, thought i would start by testing 1 ETH withdrawal.

Immediately got flagged and asked for additional verification. I have played countless online crypto casinos and have never been asked for verification for withdrawals back to my wallet. I instantly felt nervous as i probably rightly assumed that the reason for this verification request was due to my now substantial balance.

The process that followed in each subsequent email and correspondence was :

1. Request for ID, Photo of me with ID, Proof of address

2. Proof of address was not accepted, sent internet bill

3. Internet bill was not accepted, sent cable TV bill

4. Was asked to walk to a street sign and take a photo of me next to it.

While waiting for this super unusual verification process, i continued playing and eventually got my balance to around 38ETH

So, this was over approximately a 16 hour period. Admittedly, I am getting more and more nervous at this stage as the unusual verification requests keep coming. It is at this point, i looked online and saw a history of issues with this casino paying out big balances.

After this strange back and forth for verification i finally received an email from them stating that all wins had been forfeited due to me not complying with the terms of the bonus. They then pointed me in the direction of the sentence covering this buried in their TOS.

A couple things, i did not accept the bonus in the first place and was intentionally avoiding taking part in the bonus. When i realised they had attached a 50% bonus to this deposit, i looked in the bonus section of their site where it shows only the wagered amount required, bonus amount etc but there is no mention of maximum bet requirements. In fact, upon closer inspection, the only way you would know about the ridiculous maximum bet requirement is by reading through the TOS.

I find this super shady and can only imagine how many people have been stung the same way.

Anyway, attached is the final email from them explaining that they have returned my 1ETH deposit and the rest of my balance (approx 37 eth) has been forfeited.

This is after customer service team made me jump through a multitude of hoops for verifying when they likely knew all along that they were going to screw me.

I understand TOS. I also understand shady practices.

I have no way to prove I did not opt into the bonus except to say, if i had intentionally accepted a bonus offer, it would not have been for a measly 50% with such a large wager requirement.

I definitely would advice strongly agains using this casino. Lack of transparency, misleading practices and TOS traps. This has been an absolute nightmare.

Final Email :

So, had a horrendous experience with Bitstarz. Wish I had done some simple searching before depositing but you live and learn

Deposited 2 ETH and lost. Deposited another 1 ETH and noticed (after already spinning some slots several times) that a bonus had automatically been applied

As the wagering requirement had already started, i moved on and didn't think to forfeit the bonus (although i am not sure whether i would have been able to at that point)

I intentionally rejected the bonus offers on the first deposit as i am aware of wagering requirements etc and was happy to use raw cash

Spun up a grand prize on Buffalo Grand and found my balance up around 22 ETH. Needless to say, i was pretty happy with that!

Remembered that the Bonus had been applied previously and upon checking the wagering requirements, saw that I had approximately 70% left to wager. Continued playing while working down this wager.

Got very luck on several slots and saw my balance now increase from 22ETH to around 26ETH. At this point, wagering requirement had been met.

Wanted to withdraw a portion of winnings so as not to burn my balance and, as i had signed up that day, thought i would start by testing 1 ETH withdrawal.

Immediately got flagged and asked for additional verification. I have played countless online crypto casinos and have never been asked for verification for withdrawals back to my wallet. I instantly felt nervous as i probably rightly assumed that the reason for this verification request was due to my now substantial balance.

The process that followed in each subsequent email and correspondence was :

1. Request for ID, Photo of me with ID, Proof of address

2. Proof of address was not accepted, sent internet bill

3. Internet bill was not accepted, sent cable TV bill

4. Was asked to walk to a street sign and take a photo of me next to it.

While waiting for this super unusual verification process, i continued playing and eventually got my balance to around 38ETH

So, this was over approximately a 16 hour period. Admittedly, I am getting more and more nervous at this stage as the unusual verification requests keep coming. It is at this point, i looked online and saw a history of issues with this casino paying out big balances.

After this strange back and forth for verification i finally received an email from them stating that all wins had been forfeited due to me not complying with the terms of the bonus. They then pointed me in the direction of the sentence covering this buried in their TOS.

A couple things, i did not accept the bonus in the first place and was intentionally avoiding taking part in the bonus. When i realised they had attached a 50% bonus to this deposit, i looked in the bonus section of their site where it shows only the wagered amount required, bonus amount etc but there is no mention of maximum bet requirements. In fact, upon closer inspection, the only way you would know about the ridiculous maximum bet requirement is by reading through the TOS.

I find this super shady and can only imagine how many people have been stung the same way.

Anyway, attached is the final email from them explaining that they have returned my 1ETH deposit and the rest of my balance (approx 37 eth) has been forfeited.

This is after customer service team made me jump through a multitude of hoops for verifying when they likely knew all along that they were going to screw me.

I understand TOS. I also understand shady practices.

I would advice strongly agains using this casino.

Final Email :