US Online Casino Rewards: All You Need to Know
From free spins to luxury gifts — How to get the most out of US online casino loyalty programs.
Last updated: April 18, 2023
The US online casino industry has been booming over the last few years, with new states legalizing online gambling and new operators entering the market on a regular basis.
The competition created by the increasing number of operators in the igaming space means that players are in luck, as each operator strives to provide something others cannot.
Online casino loyalty reward programs are some of the most valuable marketing and promotional tools for the operators, and all the best online casinos in the US offer a loyalty program of some sort to give players extra incentive to sign up and stay with them.
Here, we will explore the loyalty programs at US online casinos, explain how they work, and who they are best for. You can use this information to help you figure out how to get the best value for your money at online casinos.
US Online Casino Reward Programs: At a Glance
Which casino reward program is best for you? Use this chart to see which type of player each program caters to and which might best fit your play style.
| Casino | Reward Program | Has Sportsbook? | Has Poker Room? | Who It’s Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Casino | BetMGM Rewards | ✔️ (BetMGM Sports) | ✔️ (BetMGM Poker) | Higher stakes & live casino players |
| Borgata Casino | BetMGM Rewards | ✔️ (Borgata Sports) | ✔️ (Borgata Poker) | Higher stakes & live casino players |
| DraftKings Casino | Dynasty Rewards | ✔️ (DraftKings Sportsbook) | ❌ | Higher stakes & big volume players |
| PokerStars Casino | Stars Rewards | ❌ | ✔️ (PokerStars US) | Mid & high stakes Players |
How Do Casino Rewards Programs Work?
Casino reward programs, often known as loyalty programs, reward players for gambling, offering points for wagers that can be exchanged for perks like free play, meals, hotel stays, and exclusive promotions. The more one plays, the higher their loyalty status, unlocking greater benefits and perks. These programs are designed to encourage player loyalty and enhance the overall casino experience.
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Casino Rewards Programs: Overview
Online casino loyalty reward programs are special long-term promotions that reward players for their loyalty to the brand.
These programs continually award players for playing at a specific online casino; generally speaking, they award high-rollers more than anyone else.
Loyalty or VIP programs often award cash, casino bonuses, free spins, and even other gifts, such as luxury items or trips to players of high standing.
Some loyalty programs also offer cashback on your losses, while BetMGM Casino US’ BetMGM Rewards allow you to spend the comp points you earn online in live venues nationwide.
In most cases, you won’t need to do anything special to become a part of a casino loyalty plan, as all players are automatically entered into these programs as soon as they sign up and start playing real money casino games on the platform.
Why US Casinos Offer Loyalty Rewards Programs
The igaming industry is highly competitive, and the truth is that all VIP and loyalty programs exist as a way for casinos to compete with each other.
Each operator is looking to keep your action exclusively, and by offering loyalty rewards, they try to ensure you don’t go and play with the competition instead.
You could easily compare this with loyalty cards you may get in your local supermarket or online retailers, which offer discounts or free purchases for shoppers who keep coming back.
It is in the casino’s best interest to give you something back in return for your action, but it is also true that the value you are getting is very real. So, if you are going to play, you might as well get the best out of a good loyalty program instead of not getting anything back at all.
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How to Redeem Casino Rewards Points
Redeeming online casino rewards points can vary depending on the specific online casino and its loyalty program. However, here are the general steps to redeem your online casino rewards points:
- Sign Up and Join the Loyalty Program: Ensure that you are a registered member of the online casino and have joined their loyalty or rewards program if they offer one. Most operators will automatically sign you up for their loyalty program once you create a player account, but you may have to opt-in separately or fill out an additional form before you can start earning points.
- Earn Loyalty Points: Accumulate loyalty points by playing real-money games at the online casino. Different games may earn you points at varying rates.
- Check Your Points Balance: Most online casinos provide a way for you to check your loyalty points balance. This information is often available in your account dashboard or under a “Loyalty” or “Rewards” tab.
- Explore the Rewards Catalog: Browse through the online casino’s rewards catalog. It typically lists the available rewards you can redeem using your loyalty points. Common rewards include bonus cash, free spins, merchandise, or entry into special tournaments or promotions.
- Select Your Reward: Choose the reward you want to redeem and click on it. This will usually prompt you to confirm your selection.
- Redeem Your Points: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the redemption process. This may involve confirming your choice or entering the number of loyalty points you wish to redeem.
- Enjoy Your Reward: Once the redemption is successful, you will receive your chosen reward. Bonus cash or free spins are typically credited to your account immediately and can be used in eligible games. Other rewards may be sent to your email or account message center.
- Continue Earning Points: Keep playing at the online casino to continue earning more loyalty points and working your way up through the loyalty program tiers for even better rewards.
Always review the terms and conditions associated with the loyalty program and the specific reward you’re redeeming. Pay attention to factors like wagering requirements for bonus cash or any expiration dates for rewards. These details can vary from one online casino to another, so it’s essential to be informed about the rules of the platform you’re using.
Who Are VIP Programs Best For?
It is worth noting that loyalty plans do not work equally well across the board, as they often require you to go up the ranks of the program in order to get the best return on your dollars.
At PokerStars Casino US, Stars Rewards program members receive valuable Mystery Chests for participating in real money casino games. However, these chests get better and better the more you bet in a given month, making them ideal for players who make a lot of bets or who like to play high.
In most cases, online casino loyalty schemes are best for high-rollers and VIP players who make large deposits and are happy to put them to use, but that doesn’t mean that low-stakes players can’t benefit, too.
If you intend to play for low stakes, you may want to focus on the free play you can get from a casino, the value of their deposit bonus, free spins, promos, and other things that offer more value to a low-stakes player.
On the other hand, these things can be completely disregarded by a high-roller who plans to make large bets, as the loyalty plan becomes the absolute focus and the way to get the most value for bets made.
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True Value of Online Casino Loyalty Programs
Each online casino loyalty program differs from the competitors in some way, but the gist is always the same. The more you play, the more points you accumulate and the more valuable prizes you can qualify for.
A good example of a casino loyalty program is the one at DraftKings Casino US. In the DraftKings Dynasty Rewards program, you accumulate DK Crowns as you make real money bets and can then take those Crowns into the DraftKings Store, where you can purchase a variety of prizes that include cash, bonuses, DK swag, and more.
Many other casinos are similar in the way you exchange points for prizes. Remember that you will often get the best monetary value if you buy items instead of bulks of cash, so this is usually the smarter way to spend your VIP points.
Finally, on top of the rewards you get directly from exchanging your points, you move up the ranks to different VIP levels as you accumulate points. There are other things you may get from reaching a high VIP status at an online casino, including:
- Extra reload bonuses
- Birthday gifts
- Faster and cheaper withdrawals
- Free rooms and comps at live casino properties
- Dedicated VIP player managers
Depending on the program you get involved with, there is a lot of value to be had from being a VIP player with a particular online casino. It is well worth your time and effort to stay loyal to one operator if you plan to play for higher stakes.
Online casinos such as Borgata Casino US — which also uses BetMGM Rewards — allow live casino players to accumulate points they can spend at live venues later, which is a great hack for players who often visit such venues for vacations.
| Casino | Rewards Program | No. of Tiers | Perk & Rewards | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM & Borgata | BetMGM Rewards | 5 | Bonus Credits for online play, Slot Dollars, dining & air travel credits, discounts, free parking, room upgrades, tickets to exclusive events, & more. | Sign Up Here » |
| DraftKings | Dynasty Rewards | 5 | Exclusive contests & promotions, exclusive live experiences, merch, travel, tickets, boosts, & more. The top Tiers also get treated to VIP Customer Service and Concierge Services. | Sign Up Here » |
| PokerStars | PokerStars Rewards | 6 | StarsCoin can be redeemed for cash rebates, casino bonuses, and tournament tickets. | Sign Up Here » |
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US Online Casino Loyalty Programs Summary
The majority of online casinos in the US today offer a loyalty program of some sort and entice players to keep playing on their platform with the VIP rewards they have in store.
Loyalty rewards programs are, by far, the most valuable for high rollers who make big bets and can reach the top ranks of VIP status with the casinos, which is where the best value is to be had.
On the other hand, lower-stakes players can also benefit from a loyalty program if they pick their casino right, although things like welcome bonuses and free play are usually better value for such players.
Consider all these things as you pick a real money US online casino to play at. Join the right loyalty program for you, and get rewarded every time you play real money casino games online from anywhere in the US.