The technological developments in recent years have made it possible for online casinos to reach even more players all over the world, including Canadian users. Many casinos tapped into the online market in an attempt to provide players with even more entertainment options. But there’s a lot more than just big assortments.
Once you enter the magic world of online casinos, you’ll come across a complete sea of competent online operators. They all look great, offering amazing bonuses, tons of free spins, cashbacks, no deposit promos, and off course loyalty programs — making it even more difficult to choose the right one. If you want some help in order to make your choice, our casino reviews and bonus guides will be of great help. This guide is about the loyalty bonus — one of the most important casino bonuses in the long term.
How loyalty bonuses work
A casino loyalty bonus is the casino’s way of saying thanks to users that have been loyal to their site. Players who visit and play at the casino frequently can earn rewards over time. Most loyalty programs work with rewards based on deposits, the more a player deposits, the more rewards are handed out. The most common way that loyalty bonuses work is that you collect points over time, where a certain activity gives you a certain number of points. These loyalty points can then be used to obtain benefits of all kinds. A lot of online casino websites in Canada work with a type of ladder with predetermined levels. Once you reach a new level, you get rewarded. In this case you would move up the ladder with each new step giving you extra rewards and more benefits in comparison with new players that stand at a lower level.
Different kinds of loyalty offers
Loyalty programs can take on many different shapes and in this section we will describe what they can look like as well as everything else you need to know about Canadian casino loyalty programs. We’re breaking the most common types that you are likely to encounter and will address both loyalty offers and complete loyalty programs that are a combination of offers. We’ll also go through VIP programs that sometimes are synonymous with loyalty programs, but there are some differences here you will probably want to be aware of.
- Free Spins
- Cashback
- Calendar Rewards
- Tiered Bonuses
- VIP Programs
Free Spins
Many casinos in Canada reward their players with free spins and this is probably one of the most common casino rewards available for frequent players. Slot games are generally the most popular category on casino websites which is why operators offer their players a lot of free spins. Free spins will always come in handy and you’ll find them everywhere: from recently launched casinos to experienced casino websites — most of them work with free spins. For players, free spins are a fun way to play slot games for free while still enjoying the chances of winning real money — as opposed to playing in the demo mode. Free spins are either linked to a specific slot game or to a range of games if it concerns a more flexible game bonus. Free spins are either automatically added to your account and we advise you to check out the casino’s newsletter so you don’t miss out on any of the free spins available.
Cashback
At a lot of casinos there are also cashbacks available that are awarded through the casinos’ loyalty scheme. If your favourite casino works with a cashback loyalty bonus, you will sometimes receive regular refills on your casino account if you have played and deposited in the days or weeks before the periodic cashback. This will depend on the casino as some cashbacks are weekly and others are monthly. The cashback is typically paid out as a percentage of your most recent stakes, basically the money you wager. The idea of this type of bonus is pretty straightforward: the more money you play with, the more you will get back. The maximum amount depends on the casino’s terms and conditions and your loyalty level.
Calendar Rewards
A lot of loyalty schemes will give their players either daily or monthly rewards and promos like special tournaments or free spins that can be redeemed by only the casino’s most frequent players. This type of loyalty scheme gives the user some sense of exclusivity and makes the chosen player feel like he or she’s part of a special casino community.
Tiered Bonuses
This type of bonus implements different phases of which each phase represents a certain loyalty. This form of loyalty program takes the form of a tier system that is divided into different categories such as Bronze, Silver and Gold, Level 1 until 7, Step 1 until Step 10 or whatsoever. If you want to reach the highest tier of a loyalty program, then you generally need to play as much as possible to get to the highest tiers. In other words: you will need to deposit funds and wager your credits. Some online casinos in Canada let you buy points or even sell them to other interested players. There might be a good reason to do this as organised trips, tickets for sporting or musical events, and even cars are part of some loyalty programs. In all cases, you’ve got quite some options here, and you will be rewarded as long as you keep on playing at the casino and stick to the website’s terms and conditions.
VIP Programs
Some online casino sites have exclusive loyalty deals for VIP players and/or high rollers. The most loyal players are welcomed with exclusive promos. Being a VIP member of a casino generally means you get better bonuses and promos than other users that are also labelled as loyal by the casino website. It can also mean that the casino website tailors promos to your personal playing habits and preferences. VIP players can also receive tailor made benefits in the casino, such as a personal account manager, higher withdrawal limits, free spins, special gifts, and the like. It appreciates users and it shows them that the online casino website considers you one of their VIP players. This will make you feel extra welcome.
VIP program ≠ loyalty program
In most cases that is. Depending on the online casino website, a loyalty scheme and a VIP program can be one and the same thing. VIP implies a special sort of treatment and many VIP programs give you some extras as they want to keep you playing. All extras are clearly welcome, but you won’t feel like you’re being treated differently from any other random user. A lot of VIP deals are basic loyalty promos that attach their program to VIP, but they are just loyalty deals with a different name. A real VIP program gives you a points-based tier system with exclusive casino rewards that can’t be found anywhere else. They add a personal touch to their service and award you quicker withdrawals, higher cashbacks and even an account manager to give you some more personal attention. You’ll most likely get rewards for your birthday or other milestones. A real VIP program gives players who spend the most money at their casino privileges. Consider yourself a high roller as from now.
How to check if loyalty bonuses are any good
The advantages of signing up at a casino that works with a casino loyalty program are very clear for frequent casino players. They give you a lot more value for the money you deposit and you are given promos that will keep you coming back for more. Casinos that include loyalty bonuses reward you for your hard work. The good thing about loyalty programs is that rewards are typically added automatically to your account which means you won’t have to take any steps to claim what is yours. This also means you won’t have to worry that much about the terms and conditions as you’re a frequent player anyway.
Investing in long term relationships
We believe it’s fair to say that casinos that work with a loyalty program show some sort of stability. Casino websites in Canada that feature loyalty bonuses take care of their most loyal customers and want to build long-lasting relationships. This means that a lot of casinos with loyalty schemes have been launched some years ago or are part of a larger operator that has made it possible to invest in long term customer relationships via loyalty deals. Most new casinos will first need to gain some reps before they think of launching a loyalty scheme for their users. This still means that you need to pay attention when signing up at a casino. Pay some extra attention to the details below to pick a loyalty bonus that is actually worth it:
- Overall service: as great as any bonus system or loyalty scheme can be, you will need to ask yourself whether you would still play at this online casino without the loyalty program? There are a lot more important considerations when picking an online casino website like the licence, game portfolio, customer service, or with what banking methods they work. Yes, loyalty promos and schemes are indeed very important, but should never take priority over the overall casino experience.
- Terms and conditions: whenever you register at a new online website, casino promos or anything that contains restrictions, limits, wagering requirements or other conditions, it is best practice to read the program’s terms. Although the terms and conditions of a specific loyalty bonus is usually not as strict as a normal welcome package, there still may be some rules that don’t suit you. Bonus terms are something that you really shouldn’t overlook and this is the case for the general terms and conditions as there might be some other bonuses you want to obtain. If you are fully informed, you’ll be able to make the most out of any bonus you can claim. Going through all the terms and conditions will make sure you’re able to maximise the return on investment. In the end, it’s all about net revenue here.
- Canady oriented: like with most casino deals, loyalty programs can be aimed at specific regions or countries. This may exclude Canada which is clearly not what you’ve signed up for. Our website is fully focused on Canada which is why we only include websites that work with a service that is meant for Canadian players. If you find yourself a loyalty program that seems interesting, we advise you to verify whether the loyalty’s terms are valid for users based in Canada as well.
- Casino games available: the casino’s portfolio is always crucial when picking a new online casino website. This should be the case as well, despite the benefits the loyalty bonuses offer you. In order to climb the ladder of the loyalty program you will need to play which is why the games available need to be attractive enough. If your preferred online casino offers a large portfolio of casino games, it will give players enough options when it comes to playing games and earning points.
- Payouts: winning real money should always be a goal when playing at a new online casino, but it’s crucial to know with which payment method and how long it will take for withdrawals to reach the user. With many banking options now available for Canadian players, including e-wallets and even cryptocurrency, you will need to check the speed of the casino’s financial department. The same holds for the withdrawal limits as this will also affect your overall experience. You don’t want to hit the jackpot and need to wait for ages to receive your money.
How to claim loyalty bonuses
While a lot of casino websites in our country offer loyalty bonuses and programs as a few important means to draw your attention, some online operators won’t actively promote their scheme until you have joined them. Some loyalty bonuses, like a monthly cash back bonus, are available instantly and can be claimed simply by signing up, while others want to reward their most frequent players only. To claim your own loyalty bonus, you will either need to meet the basic requirements for promos, which is usually a minimum deposit, or register for the casino’s loyalty program. Before joining the casino, we recommend you:
1. Do some research
To find the best loyalty bonuses, you’ll first need to read as many online casino reviews as possible. Additionally, you will need to find out more about the casino bonuses which we suggest you look up on our website as we have a lot of guides available. Proper research will help you discover how difficult it may be to attain a higher level and whether the casino loyalty rewards will actually benefit your personal preferences and style of playing. Make sure to learn more about the other specific bonus plans the casino offers you’re considering and whether there are other special promos an online casino operator may offer.
2. Find a good casino
Our own platform about casino websites gives you quite some reviews as well which will help you find a trustworthy online casino in Canada. A lot of the casinos we have listed on our platform have a loyalty program for their players and pretty much all of them have other casino bonuses as well that are worth it. The casino reviews you’ll find on our site take into account a lot more than only the bonuses available online. We’re sure you want to find a casino that offers an overall excellent casino experience and this is why we always recommend you stick to licenced websites that are available in Canada.
3. Find rewards that matter to you
Online operators often work with different platforms meaning they feature a combination of casino games, live casino games, and sometimes even sportsbooks and other games of chance such as bingo or lottery games. If a loyalty program awards slot players only, but you’re more into live dealer games, then you might want to consider another casino. It depends really on how practical the rewards program is for you personally.
4. Go through every single term
Luckily, loyalty programs work with rather clear terms and conditions which is why it should be a lot easier to go through them when compared with other bonuses. We still want to stress the importance of the terms and conditions as you probably want to check the terms of the welcome package as well. The welcome bonus is often offered before you join a loyalty program, so going through all the terms and conditions will require some time and effort. You will need to do the same for other bonuses and the general terms and conditions. In case you find something you don’t understand or find funny you can always contact the operator’s help desk. This will also give you an idea of the website’s overall customer service.
5. Join them
This is one of the easiest steps as registration forms are designed in such a way that you should be able to enjoy your account within a few minutes. You will need to fill in your name, date of birth, email address, phone number and think of a password when you complete your registration. This process should be rather self explanatory, but the most important note here is to always sign up after having concluded the steps 1 until 4, mentioned above.
6. Make a deposit
Every loyalty program requires a deposit and some of them only become available after having made various deposits. You will therefore need to deposit some funds to be either noticed by the casino’s loyalty program or automatically enroll to the program. We want to underline here that you should never make more deposits just because you want to get contacted by the casino to become part of their loyalty program or VIP scheme.
7. Enroll for the loyalty program
In most cases, once you’ve signed up at an online casino, and made your first deposit, you’ll automatically enter into that casino’s loyalty program. From there, the online casino’s system will track your wagering activity, give you your loyalty points and move you through the levels. In short, the more you’re active and the more money you wager, the more points and prestige you will earn. Some programs are private and exclusive to the casino’s high rollers. These types of loyalty programs often aren’t actively promoted and invitations are sent out by email or private message. These benefits are highly private and, at times, even a bit secretive. This is usually done to remain mysterious and give the player the feeling he or she is part of a small community of important players. The casino just wants you around.
How to make a profit from loyalty bonuses?
It has become somewhat impossible for online casinos to compete without giving their players any rewards for all the time and effort they put into playing slot games or live dealer games. Loyalty bonuses are therefore becoming increasingly popular and common and this also holds for casinos that are either based in Canada or are aimed at Canadian players. A lot of the loyalty programs let you start your casino journey with a welcome bonus after which they want to retain you by giving you loyalty points or other rewards. This doesn’t mean they will hand out free spins and cash prizes without wanting anything in return which is exactly why you should be extra careful as your goal is to make a profit, even from loyalty bonuses. Here are a few ways to maximise your chances.
1. Check your loyalty points
If you are putting a lot of time and effort to move up the loyalty program ladder, you will need to keep a close eye on your overall progress as this will directly affect your bankroll and return on investment. If you do so, you’ll be sure to maintain the original amount you set at the start of the game without making any extra deposits. This would be fully unnecessary and limit your chances of winning as you would’ve been able to withdraw any winnings.
2. Make the most out of the rewards
This step actually adds up to the term mentioned above which basically means that if you’re aware of a free spins bonus on a certain day of the week or month it would be a better idea to wait until your next playing session when you receive your free spins bonus. By knowing which phase offers you which benefits you should prepare yourself and adapt your play.
3. Redeem what you earn
Some loyalty programs give you free cash prizes and/or even gifts. Some will offer you some way to either take the gift or keep on playing. Our advice would be to cash out your wins and don’t go for the offer of a potential better deal. Most casinos will win in the long run, meaning you should claim your prizes whenever you can do so.
