Loyalty is a two-way street: what is an online casino VIP program?

Rewarding players for their spend in your online casino is crucial, and loyalty programs aim to do just that. However, legislators sometimes take issue with how operators handle their high value customers, leading to a new wave of regulations greatly impacting retention efforts. Keep reading to get up to speed.

Player retention is a make-or-break challenge for online casinos. Operators, developers, and affiliates all focus on developing different methods of retaining players. Player retention strategies are especially important in light of how crowded the market is — there’s always another option for dissatisfied players.

In light of such heavy competition, it’s very common for online casinos to offer loyalty programs, almost always in the form of a VIP program. With these programs, players earn points by making deposits, participating in tournaments, or otherwise demonstrating their loyalty to the brand. Players can move up through the tiers of a VIP program, earning improved benefits at each level.

These programs are beneficial not only for the players but also for the casino. They help to attract and retain active users, increasing their engagement and lengthening their lifetime. In the long run, this contributes to the casino's revenue growth and customer loyalty.

How do casino loyalty programs work?

Casino loyalty programs are all about keeping players happy and active. They offer a world of benefits and bonuses, including betting points, special top-up bonuses, access to exclusive tournaments and events, and personal managers for VIP players.

The basis of such programs is the level or status system. As players accumulate points or fulfill certain conditions, they move up to new levels, giving them access to more rewarding bonuses and offers.

Loyalty programs at online casinos offer different levels for their members, with each level offering a unique set of bonuses and privileges. For example, one of the most popular online casinos has the following bonus system:

• Bronze (level 1) is for players with up to $10,000 in turnover. At this level, members can expect a monthly bonus, level achievement bonus and rakeback*.

• Silver (level 2) covers players with turnover amounts between $50,000 and $100,000. Players at this level receive a monthly bonus, a level achievement bonus, rakeback, and the ability to increase bonuses.

• Gold (level 3) is available to those whose turnover is between $250,000 and $1 million. These players receive a monthly bonus, level achievement bonus, rakeback, weekly bonus or reload** and the ability to increase bonuses.

• Platinum (level 4) covers participants with turnover between $2.5 million and $10 million. At this level, players receive a monthly bonus, level achievement bonus, rakeback, weekly bonus, reload and increasing bonuses.

• Diamond (level 5) is for players with $10 million to $25 million in turnover. These players enjoy all available benefits: monthly bonus, level achievement bonus, rakeback, weekly bonus or reload, bonus increases and a personal VIP manager who is ready to help at any time.

  *Rakeback is when a percentage of players’ losses is returned to them.

  **Reload bonuses can be awarded every day, every hour, or even every 10 minutes. Reload calculations are based on turnover results from the previous 7, 14, 28, or 42 days, depending on the player’s VIP level.

Loyalty programs also include personalized offers that are tailored to each player's preferences. Personal managers help VIP players with any questions and provide a high level of assistance. This helps the casino to establish a closer relationship with players and increase their loyalty. At the top levels, players can also receive cashback, increased withdrawal limits, exclusive bonuses and even luxury gifts such as trips and expensive gadgets.

Types of VIP casino rewards and loyalty bonuses

VIP bonuses and casino loyalty programs offer players many benefits to encourage them to bet more and stick with the brand for longer.

One of the most common types of bonuses are the reward points that players receive for each bet. These points can be exchanged for money, free bets or other valuable prizes. The more a player bets, the more points he accumulates, which allows him to advance through the levels of the loyalty program and receive more benefits.

Cashback bonuses are also popular in online casino VIP programs. These bonuses allow players to retrieve some of their lost funds. The size of the refund depends on the player's level in the loyalty program: the higher the level, the more cashback they get. This helps to reduce financial risks and motivates players to keep playing.

Personalized bonuses and exclusive offers play an important role in casino VIP programs. VIP players are often given unique bonuses that are not available to ordinary players. These can be deposit bonuses, free spins, or access to special tournaments and events. In addition, personal managers assist VIP players with any questions, providing a high level of service and creating personalized offers based on player preferences.

Valuable gifts and privileges are an important part of casino VIP programs. Depending on the level in the program, players can receive prizes such as gadgets, tickets to sporting events, travel, and personal gifts. These exclusive offers make casino gaming more fun and meaningful for players, reinforcing their loyalty and commitment to the brand.

Examples of some of the best casino VIP programs

Our analysis will reveal some of the best loyalty programs that we found while reviewing multiple casinos.

Example of loyalty program №1

Example of loyalty program №2

Example of loyalty program №3

What’s the difference between a VIP club and loyalty program?

A casino's VIP club and loyalty program have a common goal of retaining players and increasing player engagement. However, they differ in their focus and the benefits offered.

The loyalty program aims to reward all players, regardless of their level and activity. It usually has several levels, and as players accumulate points, they progress through these levels, gaining access to new perks and bonuses. This makes the loyalty program accessible and attractive to a wide range of players, encouraging them to keep playing.

The VIP Club, on the other hand, is aimed at highly active players who spend significant amounts at the casino. VIP membership is usually available by invitation or upon reaching a higher level. VIP clubs offer more exclusive and personalized bonuses such as cashback, increased betting and withdrawal limits, personal managers, and access to special events and tournaments. VIP Club members receive a level of service and unique privileges not available in the standard loyalty programs.

Thus, the main difference between a VIP Club and a loyalty program is the level of exclusivity and the bonuses provided. The loyalty program is aimed at all players and offers standard rewards, while the VIP Club is designed for the most active players and provides them with unique and personalized benefits.

How can Slotegrator help?

Here at Slotegrator, we have developed a state-of-the-art online casino platform — our flagship offer. The platform comes with a dedicated bonus module that allows you to successfully retain players by creating gamified promotions and fully customizable loyalty programs. For a demo of the platform’s capabilities, schedule a meeting with our sales staff.