Online Casino VIP Programs
Some online casinos have VIP programs for high rollers and other types of valuable players. The idea is to offer a much higher level of service tailored specifically to the needs of these individuals. While plenty of value can be had with these programs, lots of misconceptions are out there about what they mean. In this tutorial we explain everything you need to know and list the best online casinos with VIP programs
Casinos With VIP Programs
An Introduction to VIP Programs
There’s no shortage of ways to get promotional value in the online casino world. Sites are constantly competing with each other to see who can get more players. On top of that, online casino players are not necessarily very loyal, forcing serious casinos to spend as much effort on retaining players as attracting new ones.
A well-known example of this is the VIP program. These programs target the most valuable players with special services, perks and rewards.
Casinos will go to great lengths to hold on to players that spend a lot of money, or for other reasons are considered important.
Suppose you’re the type of player who qualifies for some of these VIP programs. You will have to meet certain requirements, which can be very strict. Additionally, you’ll have to maintain a certain history with the casino to avoid being dropped from the program. That means there are a lot of things to know about how these programs work.
As an aside, a lot of people are confused about what VIP programs actually are. They are often mistaken with other types of promotional opportunities. In the following, we’ll explain everything you need to know to differentiate. On top of that, we will break down how to find a VIP program that works for you and what to do if you do not qualify.
Joining a VIP Program
There are essentially two types of promotions in the online casino world. The first is designed to give new players an incentive to join a new site. The second is designed to give existing players an incentive to stay. The latter is the focus of the casino VIP program.
Once you understand the issue of player retention, you can understand why VIP programs exist. On top of that, you can understand how they work as well.
Programs to try to bring in new players are pretty easy to set up. You give players a reward, and you put it out there so that they know about it. Some portion of players will come in to claim the reward. That’s about as straightforward as it gets.
With existing players, however, you have to do something different. If you just give them something, they can often leave and find the same thing somewhere else. To avoid this, they are given something that they can’t easily find at another casino. The VIP program approach works to do just that.
This is the mindset and the reasoning behind why VIP programs exist. To qualify, you’ll generally need to be someone who the casino is really interested in having around. It’s a simple matter of incentives. While that will leave some players out, it’s just a factor in how these promotions work.
How VIP Players Are Chosen
You typically have to be invited to be a part of an online casino VIP program. They will look at player records and your history with the site when they decide on this. Usually, a filter will be used that automatically alerts the casino of players who may meet whatever criteria they are using.
If you want to try to become a part of a VIP program, you have to consider two things. First, it’s possible that you won’t actually benefit much from one. The benefits that we’ll get into below don’t apply equally to all players, and some things won’t really change the experience that much for some players. A much better use of your time, if this is the case, is to focus on loyalty programs and other deals.
Second, each site has a different set of criteria used for selection. That means that what gets you there with one site won’t necessarily get you there for another. Overall, there is no universal standard across the industry for how these things go. As a result, you won’t actually know what you need to do to get in unless you specifically ask.
For players who think they will benefit from these programs, asking is the first step. Sending off a simple email to support is usually the best way since it can be forwarded to the appropriate department. This isn’t the kind of thing that general, basic customer support usually handles.
Patterns and Criteria
For this particular type of player retention program, an online casino usually wants to see some specific patterns in your play. First, they want to see a certain total volume in funds deposited over a period of time. This can be achieved with lots of mid-level deposits over that period. However, it can also be achieved with larger individual deposits here and there. The exact parameters depend on the casino.
It’s not hard to see why this is the case. However, if you fall into this demographic, you want to make sure you’re getting the most value possible. In addition to the other types of deals they offer, a VIP program can allow you to choose one site over another.
Common Criteria to Join
With that said, the criteria aren’t usually listed somewhere on their website since they change somewhat often. To help give you an idea if you may qualify, the most common criteria to join are listed in the following:
- A certain amount of deposits total will most likely be required over some set period of time before you’re allowed to join.
- They will typically ask you to verify your identity, your source of income and your financial status. This is largely due to regulatory reasons. Checks will likely happen regularly to keep this information updated.
- In many cases, they will want to keep in regular contact through telephone. Other options like Skype or video messaging programs can also be suggested.
- Your account may be limited to only logging in from specific devices that you own. They will often not allow other log-ins from unregistered devices for security reasons.
- Players from certain parts of the world may not be allowed to join. Once again, this is often a regulatory issue and is not discriminatory for any other reason.
One of the easiest ways to find out exactly what the requirements would be, or what you might need to do to join, is to simply email support. They’ll be able to put you in touch with someone who can give you some more specific information.
Benefits and Value From Online Casino VIP Programs
A variety of different types of benefits can be had from these programs. Since there is no universal standard, you have nothing concrete to go on for the industry overall. With that said, you can expect some or all of the following in most cases.
- First off, you’ll usually get an account manager of some type. This person will help you in various ways and will be your direct contact with the site. He or she can notify you of deals and check up on your deposits and withdrawals as needed.
- Second, you’ll almost always get special promotional offers. This includes deposit bonuses, better loyalty points and rewards, cashback and other goodies. Since there is such a variety of things that can be used here, it really just depends on the site.
- Finally, you’ll typically be given priority deposits and withdrawals. This can include larger limits, which tie into larger stakes available at some games. Some of the latter will depend on the software used as well. This is because not all software companies allow additional high roller stakes on their games.
Overview
Depending on where you play, you can have different criteria to enter a VIP program. The rewards can vary as well, and some sites don’t even have one. However, if you qualify for one, it can usually make your experience much better overall. They can also provide a lot of extra value and lead to you getting much better deals than what you see publicly.
These programs are changing all the time, sometimes because of regulatory guidelines shifting. That means that staying on top of them requires being in contact with the support team at your casino of choice. Since this is frequently just a single email away, it can be quick and easy to find out the details directly from an online casino that you prefer.
