Anyone who has ever flown business class or stayed on the executive floor in a luxury hotel knows that there can be genuine perks to getting VIP treatment. Over the past eight months or so, online casino gaming has been a hot topic in Canada, and especially in Ontario. There are more than 40 online betting sites now licensed to operate, most of which have VIP programs for loyal members. But what does it actually mean to be an online casino VIP? Is it worth having, or just another marketing gimmick in a crowded and competitive market?
Read the terms carefully
Before we start looking at VIP benefits, it is important to stress that every casino is different. Examine the different options, and don’t get blinkered by a shiny looking but insubstantial VIP scheme at the expense of other considerations. Check comparison sites like Gamble Online, too. Sometimes, you find that the best payout online casino doesn’t offer such good VIP benefits, but still represents the best real money casino package for Canadian players. Duly caveated, let’s take a look at the sort of benefits you can expect as an online casino VIP.
Rewards for doing what you enjoy
A good VIP program will award you points for whatever game you play, and these points can either be converted to bonus cash or other rewards. Note that not-quite-so-good VIP programs focus the points on slot games. If slots are your preferred choice, then that’s not a problem. However, if you prefer to play blackjack, baccarat or roulette, it is better to find a casino with a VIP scheme more aligned to your preferences.
Bonus cash
We might be VIPs, but we are not too proud to say show me the money if offered some extra cash in our accounts. Typically, VIP programs are multi-tiered and the more points you accumulate, the higher you rise. Casinos usually reward each step up the ladder with some bonus cash. Always check the terms however, because no two VIP programs work in exactly the same way.
Tournament access
Exclusive VIP tournaments are a lot of fun. As well as satisfying your competitive instincts by taking on other VIP members, you can be in with a chance at some tasty rewards if you finish at or near the top of the leaderboard. Casinos often fund, or at least partially subsidise, VIP tournaments, so they are usually more cost-effective than the slots tournaments that are open to all-comers.
Rewards for losing
As with all the VIP benefits mentioned, not all are guaranteed to be part of every program. But some forward-thinking casinos have started offering cashback bonuses to VIP players on a poor run of luck. For example, if the VIP sustains a net loss over a predefined weekly period, let’s say midday Tuesday to midday Tuesday, the casino pays a cashback bonus. Some pay 10 percent of the net loss, others as much as 30 percent. It’s a clever idea, as it pays a reward when you appreciate it the most.