Most online casinos offer loyalty and VIP schemes to reward you for continuing to deposit and play with them and not a rival brand.
There are several different types of loyalty scheme – from earning points to completing missions via cashback and more – with each offering different perks and rewards.
To make the most of these schemes, it is important to understand how they work and what they have to offer, and to also find an online casino you want to play at regularly.
With so many UK-licensed online casino brands to choose from, and with each offering a different type of loyalty scheme and VIP programme, this can be easier said than done.
This definitive guide covers everything you need to know about online casino loyalty schemes and how to find the ones that add the most value to your play.
Loyalty and VIP Schemes Explained
Just like other online entertainment and retail businesses, once you have signed up, opened an account and made a deposit, online casinos want you to keep going back for more.
Of course, they understand they must incentivise and reward you for doing this and an online casino loyalty scheme rewards you for continuing to deposit and wager at a particular brand.
In short, the more you spend and play, the more rewards and perks you earn and unlock.
In addition to loyalty schemes, most online casinos also offer VIP clubs. These are reserved for their most valuable players and are often invite-only.
While online casino operators remain tight-lipped about what you have to do to be granted access to these elite clubs, it’s usually down to the amount you deposit and how often you play.
That said, some loyalty schemes are tiered and if you continue to climb higher up the levels it is possible to reach VIP status.
Rewards for doing so include:
Your own account manager
Tailored bonuses and promotions
Invites to exclusive events and parties
Higher deposit and withdrawal limits
Faster payments
Presents on your birthday
The Different Types of Loyalty Schemes Offered
In the past, most online casinos would have offered a points-based loyalty scheme but today there are some truly innovative systems out there that can add tremendous fun and value to your play.
Different schemes will appeal to different players – perhaps you like to earn points which can be exchanged for cash, or maybe you prefer to complete tasks to unlock free spins.
These are the most common online casino loyalty scheme formats offered to UK players:
Points-based
This is the most traditional loyalty system and sees players earn points for every spin, bet or wager made. As a rule of thumb, every £10 wagered will earn you 1 point.
This differs from online casino to online casino, so it is important to read each operator’s terms and conditions carefully. We also provide this information in our online casino reviews.
Once you have accrued a set number of points, these can be exchange for cash, free spins or any other reward the online casino offers.
With some points-based loyalty schemes, instead of being able to exchange points for cash, free spins or prizes, you collect them until you hit a predetermined amount an “level up”.
When you do reach the next level, you will receive a reward – this could be cash, free spins or any other bonus or prize offered by the casino.
UK-licensed online casinos that offer points-based loyalty schemes include:
PartyCasino
AHTI Games
Cashback
This type of loyalty scheme is popular with players as you receive cashback on every wager you make, regardless of whether you win or lose.
PlayOJO has found huge success with its cashback scheme, OJOplus, which uses the RTP of the game being played to give cash back to players.
It works by rounding up the RTP of the game to a full number and giving that element back to the player as cash, which can be withdrawn without wagering requirements at any time.
PlayOJO’s Head of Brand Marketing, Peter Bennett, explains to Find My Casino exactly how it works in this exclusive interview.
It is worth noting that not all online casino brands allow you to withdraw cashback earnings at any time and have minimum withdrawal requirements. Others also impose terms and conditions.
See our full list of cashback casinos
The Benefits of Joining an Online Casino Loyalty Scheme
There are many benefits to joining an online casino loyalty scheme, not least being rewarded for continuing to deposit and play with a particular brand.
There is also a certain sense of achievement when you exchange comp points for cash, clear the next level and earn a prize or complete a task and add another trophy to your cabinet.
These are just some of the rewards you can unlock through an online casino loyalty scheme:
Cash
Free spins
Bonuses
Prizes
Of course, if you are a regular player you will quickly find that your points/cash/trophies build up and before long you are able to unlock some pretty major prizes.
How to Decide Which Type of Loyalty Scheme is Right for You
Determining which type of loyalty scheme is right for you depends on your level of play (are you a high roller or more of a casual player) and how you like to be rewarded.
If you deposit and wager with large amounts, a points-based loyalty scheme that allows you to level up and reach VIP status is most likely the best option for you.
A casual player that deposits and wagers small amounts will likely benefit more from a mission and task-based loyalty scheme where the emphasis is on having fun.
Other things to consider include:
The wager made to points earned ratio
Points offered for different types of game (slot, table, live, etc)
Conversion rate of points to cash/rewards
Number of points required to level up
The rewards offered
Of course, there is no hard and fast rule so go with whatever seems to offer the most value to you in the long-term – the more loyal you remain to a brand, the more rewards and perks you unlock.
When deciding which casino to play at, take into account other factors such as reputation, games offered, payment methods available and customer support.
Afterall, there is no point in remaining loyal to an online casino that does not offer the games and experience that you are looking for.
It is always best to learn about the loyalty scheme and VIP club offered by an online casino before signing up, and you can do that by reading our detailed online casino reviews.
How to Join an Online Casino Loyalty Scheme
Joining an online casino loyalty scheme is really simple and, in most cases, you will be enrolled automatically when you open an account. As soon as you start playing, you start earning.
In some instances, you may be required to opt-in to a loyalty scheme either by ticking a box in your player account area or contacting customer support.
If you are unsure, contact customer support and they will be able to confirm for you.
Tips for Climbing the Ranks and Earning VIP Status
Most online casino VIP clubs are invite-only, but there are a couple of ways you can increase your chances of being welcomed in.
The first is to deposit and play regularly. That doesn’t always mean with huge amounts – online casinos look to reward their most loyal players, regardless of how much they spend.
For example, a player that deposits and plays with £1,000 per month and plays every day for a year is more likely to be granted VIP status than a player that deposits £2,500 once and only returns to the casino occasionally.
The second thing you can do is ask another VIP to recommend you, although the casino will likely do its own investigation into how you are depositing and playing before making a decision.
Finally, you can reach out to customer support and put your case forward for being invited to join the VIP club. This isn’t always guaranteed, but there is no harm in trying.
Recapping Online Casino Loyalty Schemes and VIP Clubs
Online casino operators like to reward players for wagering with them, and most do this through loyalty schemes and VIP clubs.
There are different loyalty schemes offered with each appealing to a different type of player depending on how they play and how they like to be rewarded.
To make the most out of a loyalty scheme it is important to deposit and play regularly, so make sure you play at a casino the delivers the experience you are looking for.
Loyalty rewards can include cash, free spins, prizes and bonuses, but always be mindful of any terms and conditions – particularly wagering requirements that may be imposed.
VIP clubs are usually invite-only and reserved for an online casinos most valuable players, but you can try your luck by asking customer support to grant you VIP status.
