Basic Online Casino Rewards
Loyalty programs are designed to reward players who make regular deposits and wagers at an online casino. Their purpose is to encourage players like you to stick around for a longer period. In exchange, you’ll receive additional bonuses and other perks.
Most loyalty programs follow a similar pattern. You are rewarded the more you play games, advancing up a virtual ‘loyalty ladder’ as you progress. This ladder is often designed with a theme consistent with the casino’s branding.
You’ll often receive complimentary points proportionate to the amount you wager, e.g. every $10 bet on pokies equals 2 points. These points are accumulated to unlock casino rewards like bonus funds, free spins or cashback deals.
Many casinos transparently present their loyalty programs on their websites. However, some schemes are reserved exclusively for high-rollers, whom the casino will contact directly with personalised offers.
Why Online Casinos Reward Player Loyalty
Casinos run loyalty systems to retain players and motivate them to regularly play and make deposits. The goal is to drive engagement and keep you interested once you’ve signed up and used your welcome bonus.
Loyalty programs have become commonplace at the majority of online casinos, largely because of the huge competition within the industry. You can expect to be automatically enrolled in a VIP or loyalty scheme the minute you sign up.
Most loyalty programs have their own dedicated page on the casino site. This is used as a ‘shop window’ marketing tool, advertising the rewards on offer in the hope new players are tempted into creating an account – especially potential VIPs.
Tiered Casino VIP Programs
Loyalty programs are usually tiered systems. Each level grants specific rewards that get bigger and better as you progress through the VIP levels.
Once you join a VIP program, you’ll be placed into the first tier and receive a basic set of benefits. To progress, you need to make a certain level of deposits and wagers within a time period usually specified in the terms and conditions.
Once you’ve reached a particular VIP level, you generally have to maintain your status by playing consistently. If you don’t deposit and play enough within the allotted time, you might lose your status and move back to the previous level.
As you advance up the loyalty ladder, you can benefit from:
- Additional bonus rewards such as free spins and bonus cash.
- High-value bonuses, such as Super free spins worth $1+ each.
- Lucrative cashback deals that can soften the blow after a run of bad luck.
- Lenient bonus terms, including lower wagering requirements.
- Removal of maximum bet limits on casino games.
- A personal account manager who provides individual support.
- Super-fast withdrawals on your winnings.
- Invitations to exclusive in-person casino events.
- Gifts and rewards.
Here’s an example of what a tiered loyalty program may look like at an Australian online casino:
Top Tip
Collect Points & Choose Your Own Rewards
In other loyalty programs, you’ll collect points the more you play. These points can be exchanged for cash gifts or casino bonuses from the in-house casino shop. This system is often preferred because you get the freedom to choose the rewards that interest you the most!
VIP Programs Vs. Regular Casino Bonuses
Casinos run loyalty programs in addition to the regular casino bonuses listed here at NoDepositKings. Let’s take a look at their differences.
Regular bonuses are mainly designed to:
- Attract new players – e.g. no deposit bonuses
- Retain existing players – e.g. reload bonuses.
- Reactivate dormant players – e.g. deposit match bonuses.
High rollers usually want to bypass these more standard offers altogether, mainly because they’re willing to spend big early on.
They are more interested in:
- High-roller bonuses that offer huge bonus value and come without restrictive T&Cs and betting limits, right from the onset.
- Direct access to high-level VIP programs to be compensated for their play, for example, with generous cashback deals on potential losses.
Casinos run loyalty programs in addition to the regular casino bonuses listed here at NoDepositKings. These programs are designed to reward loyal players by offering them special perks that newbies or first-timers won’t be privy to.
Regular bonuses are primarily designed to attract new players, retain them (as is the case with reload bonuses), or reactivate players who haven’t played in a while.
Highrollers usually want to bypass these more standard offers altogether. Because they’re willing to spend big early on, they’re more interested in claiming high-roller bonuses or joining VIP programs without restrictive T&Cs and betting limits.
With the exception of no deposit bonuses, regular casino bonuses offer a great way to help you climb the loyalty ranks.
Learn About Standard Bonuses
Even if you’re looking to obtain VIP status at an online casino, there’s nothing to stop you from claiming a regular casino bonus along the way. In fact, it’s a great way to boost your bankroll to help you advance to higher levels.
Here are some of your options:
No Deposit Bonuses
If you’re new to the world of online casinos, a no deposit bonus is the perfect way to get started. Just by creating an account via NoDepositKings, you’ll receive bonus cash or free spins with no financial outlay needed.
However, there will be specific terms and conditions to meet before you can turn your free bonus into real money. We explain all of these, plus list some fantastic deals, in our beginner’s guide to no deposit bonuses.
Free Spins
Free spins allow you to take pokies for a spin. These spins are either credited for free or upon making a qualifying deposit.
The casino usually credits the spins on a specific pokie, but you can wager any free spin winnings on a broader range of casino games. Check out our beginner’s guide to free spins to learn more
Other Casino Bonuses
There are plenty of other casino bonuses for you to claim. These can range from deposit match bonuses and reload offers to cashback deals on your potential losses. Our beginner’s guide to casino bonuses will help you pick out the right option.
How To Get The Most Out Of VIP And Loyalty Schemes
Here are some tips on how you can pick out the most ideal loyalty program, climb the ranks quickly and maximise the benefits coming your way:
- Assess The Tiered System
Prioritise casinos that clearly communicate how their VIP loyalty program operates. Scout the different brands that take your fancy and check out their loyalty/VIP page.
Consider the following:
- The different levels you can obtain and the points required to reach each one.
- The bonus rewards associated with each level.
- The point exchange rate, i.e. how much do you need to deposit or wager to receive 1 point?
By assessing this info, you can pit different casinos against each other and pick out the one that provides the optimal loyalty scheme.
- Make Direct Comparisons
If Casino A offers 10 points for every $20 wagered, but Casino B only awards 5 points for every $20 wagered, Casino A provides better value for money.
However, you should also assess the rewards on offer. Casino B might credit higher bonuses for fewer points, presenting better value overall.
- What Bonuses Can You Receive?
Consider which type of bonus you’ll find more valuable. For example, if you love online pokies, a loyalty system that provides plenty of free spins is perfect.
For high rollers, you may be more interested in cashback deals and how often they’re awarded. You may also want to look at additional VIP perks such as removed win caps, increased withdrawal limits, and sped-up withdrawals.
- Check The Terms
Before fully committing to a loyalty program, you should examine the terms and conditions associated with each potential reward. This can help you assess whether reaching a particular loyalty ranking is actually worth it.
You may be offered a seemingly fantastic bonus once you reach a specific level. However, if the bonus has too restrictive terms and conditions, it may not be that great after all.
This is especially noteworthy with cashback rewards, where the terms can significantly impact the overall benefit – especially as it’s only credited after you’ve suffered a losing streak.
- Stick To One Casino
By sticking to one casino, you can increase your chances of climbing the VIP levels. If you play at multiple casinos, you scatter your wagers and earn fewer comp points. Consequently, you’ll make much slower progress and get stuck at lower VIP tiers for longer.
Some VIP programs are implemented on a personal and bespoke basis. If you deposit and wager significant amounts at the same casino, you may be contacted privately about receiving exclusive, high-level rewards.
- Don’t Fall Out Of Your Current Tier
Dropping out of your current tier will mean losing access to valuable perks and bonuses you’ve worked hard to achieve. Some casinos may even send you right back to the start if you don’t maintain your VIP status.
Of course, staying within your current tier also allows you to level up. If you hit a nice win at this stage, you can use the returns to advance further up the ladder and unlock bigger rewards.
- Don’t Play More Than You Need To
Although you need to play consistently, ensure you don’t play too much or spend more money than you have to. Only play as much as needed to maintain your current status or qualify for the next VIP level.
Top Tip
Don’t Overdo It! Always Stay In Control
Loyalty programs are by nature designed to be tempting. With a batch of shiny rewards just a level away, you may be enticed into spending more than you can afford. We want all our readers to stay safe when gambling online. Our responsible gaming page will explain all the tools you need to help you remain in control.