In 2005-06 it was common for casino to give +EV bonus.
One exemple with PartyCasino:
- 100% first deposit bonus up to $200
- 5000 bets to unlock
- BlackJack count toward unlocking bonus
- House edge of BlackJack using perfect strategy ~0.5% Source:
http://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/calculator/Using $1 bet to minimize variance.
$1 * 5000 hands = $5000 total bets
$5000 * 0.5% = $25 average loss against the house.
$200 deposit bonus less $25 loss = $175
It was common to play several hundred hands per hour on a good casino software. Let's say 250 hands per hour to be conservative. Sometimes I was averaging 400+
5000/250 = 20 hours. $175/20h = $8.75/h profit. Not bad for clicking buttons. Most of the time I was averaging $20/h sometimes up to $50/h.
It's possible to bet higher amount or multiple hands to maximise profit per hour but variance and risk of ruin get higher as well. Dozen of reputed casino (888, Microgaming, Playtech, Betfair, Cryptologic, etc.) where offering deposit bonus between $50-$500 and only once they refused to pay. But I have to agree those bonus are now long gone and the only one still around are a waste of time.
Good luck with your casino anyway maths are on your side