How loyalty programs and gamifications work in online casinos?

VIP programs and loyalty systems are also gradually returning. This development is not without its explosiveness, because such customer loyalty features, due to their strong incentives for intensive gambling, are in direct conflict with the goals of the State Treaty on Gambling, in particular the protection of players.

A few weeks ago, the CEO of a leading software developer for casino customer loyalty tools provided exciting insights into the latest international trends. These developments are also important for gamblers, as they show how online casino loyalty programs or online casino VIP systems are currently designed and used. We are taking this as an opportunity to take a closer look at the complex functions.

That is why loyalty programs and gamifications are a particularly interesting mix for online casinos

According to Dobromir Mitev, founder and CEO of Dench eGaming Solutions, the key to the success of modern online casinos lies in personalized and gamified loyalty programs that deliver real added value to customers.

Dench eGaming Solutions is one of the leading B2B software developers in the iGaming industry. It offers a comprehensive platform for gaming operators that specializes in customer loyalty and marketing automation.

In an increasingly saturated market with an enormous number of options for players around the world and constantly new bonuses, operators are facing a huge challenge, according to Mitev: It is more difficult than ever to stand out from the crowd in order to effectively promote customer engagement and confidently secure their loyalty (which is crucial to success).

• Mitev emphasizes that many new operators invest too hastily in acquiring users without having the necessary technological infrastructure to effectively control the game process. This often leads to newly registered customers dropping out quickly after their first deposit due to disappointing experiences.
• Unhappy players generate low sales and eventually migrate. The resulting too small profit is reinvested in campaigns with “flat-rate, one-size-fits-all offers”, which almost always only drives up costs further and is hardly worthwhile. Long-term profitability cannot be achieved in this way. Incidentally, we recently reported that an industry expert is calling for regulation of bonus conditions.

According to Mitev, VIP systems or loyalty programs with gamification elements can be an effective solution to this serious problem.

VIP systems patterns

1. Missions and challenges: Players complete tasks that are precisely tailored to the casino theme and reward them for their commitment. Often, players move forward on a special map within a gamification system. To complete the missions, they have to play certain games, take part in ranking tournaments and do other things. The whole thing can be accompanied by animations, clips and other visual impressions.
2. Point systems: Players collect points for certain actions such as deposits and bets, which can then be exchanged for advantages. The rewards are listed in a special VIP area of ​​the respective account and/or communicated via direct messages.
3. Integrated shops: Collected points can sometimes also be used in special shops to buy various rewards. The procedure is similar to classic point systems. However, a shop forms a visually more finely designed environment that is usually visible to every member and in which users often have more options.
4. Fixed benefits: Players receive permanent benefits or status upgrades by reaching certain milestones. This variant is the most common worldwide. Here, too, points are usually collected, which then allow you to reach certain levels and thus adjusted limits, special bonuses, individual support or other benefits.

These mechanisms aim to retain players in the long term through regular rewards. Gamifications provide an even greater incentive. They offer additional excitement about what will happen next (but more on that below).

Dobromir Mitev points out that data plays a crucial role in this structure:

• Real-time access: The systems continuously collect user information that can be enriched with transaction and aggregated customer data. This enables operators to launch automated and highly precise bonus campaigns, make adjustments precisely in relation to players’ needs and measure results effectively.
• Company-wide data availability: When all departments have access to the same actionable data and use it comprehensively, more authentic and personalized gaming experiences can ultimately be created – even far beyond loyalty programs or VIP systems.

Mitev concludes that these measures are steps towards creating a more immersive gaming experience in which customers can immerse themselves deeply. This is obviously of great benefit to operators. However, such intense connections are also quite critical in terms of a responsible gaming environment. According to a recently published study, gambling addiction is even more dangerous than previously thought.

How do loyalty programs and gamifications affect players?

Loyalty programs and gamifications can actually have a strong psychological appeal that not only motivates players, but often immerses them deeper into the virtual casino world. These mechanisms are based on a combination of reward system impulses, social competition and the appeal of the unexpected.

Overview of key psychological effects

• Reward system: Collecting points or unlocking new levels activates the reward center in the brain. Players experience a motivational boost when they see progress or collect small goodies that drive them further to larger tasks.
• Feelings of success: Missions and challenges give players the feeling of actively working towards a goal. Reaching milestones gives players a sense of achievement, which in turn emotionally binds them to the platform.
• Social dynamics: Ranking lists, challenges against other players or comparing progress provide an additional competitive factor. This aspect further promotes motivation and at the same time loyalty to the casino, as customers can compete not only against the bank but also against others.
• Curiosity and excitement: Gamifications often incorporate elements of surprise, such as random bonus wins or discovering new features. This unpredictability increases the appeal and keeps players active longer.

The strengths of gamification

Well-coordinated gamifications take interaction with an online casino to a new level. Players feel less like consumers and more like participants in a playful, dynamic system. This creates an immersive experience that binds them more emotionally to the platform. Programs that regularly introduce new, easy-to-use content or missions to keep the fun fresh are particularly successful.

Critical view

As effective as the mechanisms of loyalty programs and VIP systems are for operators, they also pose risks. The constant availability of challenges and benefits can trigger a kind of “reward addiction” in users, which in turn promotes gambling addiction. Gamifications are particularly problematic in this context because they can have a very strong motivating effect. This potentially contradicts the goals of player protection.

Top 10 Online Casinos with the best VIP programs?

The research for this article showed that there are no VIP programs or loyalty systems with gamifications in the Best online casinos. In principle, however, there are (surprisingly) many and extensive alternatives that reward customers for regular play.

• Stake Casino
• Justbit
• Daddy Casino
• BC.Game Casino
• Jet Casino
• Fresh Casino
• Sol Casino
• Slottica
• AllRight Casino
• Vavada Casino

Conclusion

Loyalty programs and gamification offer compelling benefits for both players and online casinos. The former enjoy personalized rewards, a sense of achievement and varied challenges that make the experience more exciting and entertaining. For providers, the systems are an effective strategy to strengthen customer loyalty, encourage player activity and stand out in a competitive market.

Loyalty systems and similar offers are becoming more common again. Although they are often less extensive than international models, they use similar mechanisms and resulting effects. The risks cannot be ignored: the psychological attraction of such features can lead to problematic behavior among vulnerable users, as the processes are specifically designed to encourage intensive gaming.

Industry insider Dobromir Mitev is optimistic about the future: in his opinion, gamification and personalization will continue to influence user preferences and behavior. He predicts that players will increasingly gravitate towards companies that offer more cross-game and gamifying features.