Loyalty vs VIP Perks In Gambling: Which Are Bigger?
It is considered good form for online casinos to offer VIP and loyalty programs. That’s how they reward consistent gameplay among players. Some casinos offer only one (most likely the loyalty program), while others have both.
Some casinos are trying to change the tradition and introduce new approaches. In Rooli Casino Australia, for instance, they say that every player is treated like a VIP, no matter how long you’ve been here and how much you’ve spent. They do have VIP bonuses, but these are called so because of their size and not because of limited access. This approach is democratic and, let’s be honest, incredibly attractive. Yet, it’s a rare thing to find. Most sites still stick with those exclusive bonus systems.
The Typical Loyalty Program
Casinos often use a tiered system for their loyalty programs. New players will start at the most basic level and advance to higher levels as they play more games. To move to higher levels, casinos often award “XPs” or “comp points” for player bets. For example, one casino might award 1 comp point for every $1 wagered.
The typical reward for loyalty programs is the ability to convert the comp points or XPs to bonus cash. Some casinos make the cash wager-free and allow withdrawals immediately. However, that isn’t typical.
You might find a few added perks besides converting the points to cash. That is, casinos can also give you free spins when you advance to a higher level. Sometimes, cashback is added, with each level offering a better percentage. For example, level two might have 5% cashback, while level 10 might offer 11% cashback.
The Typical VIP Program
For casinos that separate their VIP package from the loyalty program, being a VIP often means the very best treatment possible For example, you might receive a personal account manager to handle your transactions.
A classic VIP program uses a tiered system or means joining the exclusive club. For tiered systems, the rewards get better with each higher tier. For the club membership model, your task is to get there. Once there, you have access to everything. Typical rewards for VIP players include the following:
- Exclusive account manager
- Higher withdrawal limits
- Exclusive bonuses and promotions
- Lower wagering requirements
- Priority during withdrawals
- Better bonus terms and conditions
- Invitations and access to exclusive events
- All-paid-expenses trips and parties
Some casinos will add you to the VIP club when you exceed a specific amount in your wagers. Once you receive your invitation, you can start enjoying the benefits of being a VIP player. Some casinos offer exclusive welcome bonuses for VIP players. The required deposit will be higher than for regular bonuses.
If eligibility is by invitation, then you will likely play your first few games as a regular player. The casino will send the invitation once it deems you fit to belong to the VIP club.
Comparing Loyalty and VIP Rewards
Criteria | Loyalty Program | VIP Club |
Lower wagering requirements | Unlikely | Very likely |
Higher withdrawal limits | Unlikely | Very likely |
Comp points or XP | Yes | No |
Faster withdrawals | Unlikely | Very likely |
Higher cashback | Likely | Likely |
Transferrable status to another casino | No | Some casinos maintain the VIP statuses of players from other casinos |
Eligibility | Regular gameplay | Large wagers or by exclusive invitation |
It is thus clear that VIP rewards are bigger than loyalty perks. However, they come at a higher price than loyalty programs. You need to sustain your large wagers to stay on as a VIP player.
Another good thing we like about the VIP program is that you can be there and still get the loyalty rewards. That is, the casino can still award comp points (or XPs) as you play. Then, you can convert them to cash or other rewards. Some casinos even offer better comp points conversion to VIP players. Our recommendation is to read the casino’s terms and conditions.
Our Verdict
Pick the VIP program when you can afford it. Otherwise, you will still be fine with the loyalty package. Just play games and have fun.
Before we wrap up, we’d like to point out that some casinos may use the VIP and loyalty programs interchangeably. For example, some casinos offer only the VIP package but include comp points. So, always find out what you are dealing with first.
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