Players clubs are the key to getting casino comps. Some are better than others. Most casino players are members of at least one national loyalty club. These have positives and negatives.
What Are Casino Players Clubs?
Casino players clubs are loyalty programs. Players must sign up for an account. This is done at the rewards center at the casino, which may be part of the casino cage. Large casino companies also have online registration.
Once the player has the account created, a card is issued. The card slides into readers on slot, video poker, and electronic table game machines. Slot points, which can be converted into free play and other comps, are awarded based on a disclosed formula. The rewards center has this information. Software rates the player’s action and gives it a theoretical value based on the amount wagered, and sometimes, the house advantage of the game.
Table game players also use these cards. It is given to the dealer when buying chips at a game. The rating is calculated by the table games supervisor, who determines the average bet size and length of time in action.
Once the casino has this data, the marketing department uses it to create bounce-back offers. These include free slot play, food comps, and other perks.
National Players Club Positives
The biggest positive of national casino players clubs is the number of locations the card is used. Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, and Penn Entertainment have locations in Las Vegas and numerous regional and local markets. This allows players to earn slot and tier points close to home and apply them to other markets, including Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Biloxi.
Action at regional casinos is rated by corporate. If a company believes the player’s value is high enough, offers will be issued for these other markets. This may include free or discounted rooms, free slot or table game play, and show tickets. High rollers may qualify for airfare reimbursement, free junket travel, and car service from the airport.
Players club tiers earned in other markets may be used in tourist ones. For example, Caesars Rewards players who achieve Diamond receive free parking, waived resort fees, VIP check-in, and line passes in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and any other markets the company operates.
Example based on my past action
Before moving to Las Vegas, I lived near Harrah’s Cherokee in North Carolina. I had a big night there playing electronic table games. Later that year, I was invited to New Years in New Orleans. It included a free hotel room and Sugar Bowl box seats. I later received a free hotel offer for Las Vegas, among other destinations.
Downsides of National Players Clubs
National players clubs are often tighter than small, local casinos. Slot points tend to be worth 0.1% or less at national casino chains. Better games, like full-pay video poker, may return fewer points or none at all. Mailers are closely aligned with player value as opposed to the wager amount. Major casino companies can rate video poker player skill levels, which helps them reduce comps for players who give up less house edge compared to inexperienced players who make strategy mistakes and play poor paytables.
Getting a host at large casino chains is difficult. Hosts may have little latitude to give players extra perks. Large casino companies also have fewer promotions. Some have been known to change players club perks and promotions in the middle of a year.
Small Casino Companies May Offer Better Perks
Like most industries, smaller casinos often offer better service and promotions. Mailers based on previous action may offer more free slot play and food comps then the same level of play does at a chain.
Modern players club software is expensive. Many smaller casino companies cannot justify the expense. This allows savvy players to receive the same perks as those with much higher values. For example, older and simpler rating systems pay points based on the amount of coin-in, which is the wager amount on slots, video poker, and electronic table games. The house advantage and player skills are often not tracked at these properties. This allows savvy players to receive more slot points and comps than national chains with more advanced systems.
Small Casino Players Club Downsides
The biggest downside for casino players hoping to turn local action into Las Vegas comps is that small groups often have no connection to other major markets. They may own other casinos in the region, but none in Atlantic City, Biloxi, or Las Vegas. Even Penn Entertainment, a massive regional operator, only owns one casino in the Las Vegas market. It is M Resort on the Henderson outskirts.
Another factor is that small casino companies often offer few amenities. It can be difficult to find value beyond free play. It may only have one or two food options if any are available at all. Hotels may only have a few rooms or not exist. Game selection may be small.
Large chains in the area typically offer more amenities, including a large hotel, many dining options, and a spa. Combining these services with free play and offers from other markets may be the better choice, even if the games and slot points have lower returns when compared to smaller operators.
