Types of loyalty programmes
| Model | How it pays | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Points and shop | Points per bet, exchanged for bonuses or spins | Exchange rate and wagering on rewards |
| Levels | Higher levels unlock better rates and gifts | How fast levels drop if you stop |
| Cashback | A share of net losses returned | Paid as cash or as bonus? |
| Rakeback | A share of every bet returned, win or lose | Rate and how often it is paid |
| VIP manager | Personal offers and higher limits | Terms in writing |
What it is worth
Say a programme returns 0.3% of stakes as bonus money with 5x wagering. On $2,000 of slot bets you earn $6, which shrinks further after wagering. On a 96% slot those $2,000 of bets cost about $80 on average. Loyalty softens the cost of play; it does not cover it.
Pros and cons
- Pro: regular players get something back on play they would do anyway.
- Pro: higher levels can bring faster withdrawals and higher limits.
- Con: missions and level bars are designed to keep you playing longer.
- Con: new casinos can change or close their programmes with little notice.
Choosing a programme
Prefer rewards paid as cash, a published rate and no expiry on points. Read the programme terms as carefully as the bonus terms. See also bonuses for experienced players.