Casino Loyalty Programs

As a gamer, you’re undoubtedly looking for a great online service where you can spend your hard-earned money. But a great online casino doesn’t just offer the best casino games to play. A great casino lets you feel like a winner even before you play with a great loyalty program and rewards. Whether you have a great round at a casino table game or a terrible one, excellent benefits mean you still get something back. Let’s take a look at exactly what loyalty programs are, how they work and what benefits you can expect from them if you enjoy playing at casinos online.

What is a loyalty program?

The gambling industry is a highly competitive one and one of the ways gambling companies try to keep their customers happy is through loyalty programs. These incentive systems are also sometimes known as VIP rewards, player rewards or simply rewards programs. 

Casinos and websites use these systems to reward players for making use of their services through the accumulation of company-specific credit. The more you spend, the more credit you build up, which you can redeem for rewards or use to gain access to exclusive discounts and services. 

While most programs work like this, there are important differences between these schemes that can separate the best from the rest.

The differences between casino loyalty programs

There are many different types of casino bonuses and in the same way, not all gambling programs are the same. Some may suit you and your play style better than others. Here are some of the differences you need to know about.

Flat vs. tiered structures

If a loyalty program has a flat structure, your rewards tend to be consistent. As long as you meet the minimum requirements, you’ll earn the same rewards as everyone else. 

Other programs have tiers or levels, which gamblers can “climb.” Every new member starts at the lowest level but gains more points as they play. Once they hit a certain number of points, they are promoted to the next tier, which gives them access to extra perks and benefits. However, access to these perks is conditional. If the gambler starts to spend less, they may find themselves slipping down the tiers of the loyalty system and losing whatever additional benefits they’ve accrued. To make sure you don’t lose your favorite benefits, read the terms and conditions of rewards programs.

Varying rewards for different activities, bets or games

The number of credits or points you get may vary depending on the type of casino game or activity. For example, you may earn fewer loyalty credits for every dollar that you spend on casino slot games when compared to live dealer casino games. Depending on your loyalty program, the credits you earn playing different games may also only apply to specific rewards.

Wagering requirements and other fine print

An online gambling site may have specific rules about what you’re allowed to do with your loyalty-program credits. For example, you may be required to spend a certain amount before you gain access to these credits, in the same way that you can often only claim rewards from consumer brands’ promotional offers after you spend a certain amount of money on them. If you’re trying to learn about a rewards program or what makes a casino bonus lucrative, the wagering requirements are a huge factor. If they are too high, you might have to wait for incredibly long periods before you can access your winnings or program benefits. 

What sorts of perks can you expect at an online casino?

Every casino rewards program is unique, but here are some of the exciting perks and rewards that you might have access to.

Increasing tier bonuses: As discussed earlier, loyalty programs often run a tiered structure that offers greater rewards, depending on how much you spend. This could be something as simple as increasing deposit bonuses as you climb up the tiers of the program. The general idea here is: the more you spend, the more you get back.

Faster response from support services: Are you having technical difficulties and need assistance from the support team? Or do you just have a question about an upcoming event? High-ranking members of a casino’s loyalty program are likely to get a faster response from the site’s support team.

Exclusive access to specific bonuses, services, games and events: If you’re part of an online casino’s loyalty program, you’re likely to get access to special VIP bonuses, services and events, especially if you’re a high-roller. For example, many online casinos organize exclusive tournaments or events that are only accessible to their sites’ biggest spenders. These events sometimes have the biggest jackpots to really push the idea that they’re reserved for the best of the best. 

Birthday and other important date bonuses: Whether it’s your birthday or the anniversary of when you signed up for your online casino account, members of a loyalty program may find a few extra goodies in their inbox on important dates throughout the year.

A variety of casino bonuses: Whether it’s cashback offers, deposit bonuses or free spins on slot machines, members can expect more bonuses on a more regular basis.

Access to the loyalty-program store: Some gambling sites have online stores where you can spend your loyalty reward points to buy extra online casino services like free spins or hands in your favorite game. You can use your points for luxury items such as mobile phones or gaming consoles or even exchange them for real money in some cases.

Extra prizes and rewards: Again, this is likely to depend on how much you spend, but if you do enjoy splurging at an online casino, the site might award you extra prizes and rewards, no strings attached. In the same way that a brick-and-mortar casino might “comp” your drinks, an online casino might send you vouchers or other unique offers for being a loyal customer.

Discounts on other branded services: This doesn’t apply to all online casinos, but if a website is associated with a brick-and-mortar casino or a hotel resort, its program may offer loyal customers rewards that extend beyond the site itself. For example, you might get a discount on the penthouse suite at a hotel or even deposit bonuses for playing at real tables in the brand’s land-based casino.

A dedicated account manager/staff to assist you personally: While it may not be as common or accessible as other rewards, an online casino may provide you with a dedicated account manager. Naturally, this depends on how loyal you are to the service. If you’re an elite member of the loyalty program, you may have direct access to a member of staff whose job it is to make sure you’re happy.

These are just some of the potential perks you might be able to receive, so be sure to do your research before you sign up and start playing at an online casino. Have fun!