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Loyalty points: meaning in casino apps

Loyalty points are credits a casino app gives you for playing, usually in proportion to how much you stake, which you can later swap for rewards such as bonus spins or bonus funds. They’re worth a small fraction of what you stake, so they soften the cost of play slightly but never outweigh the house edge.

Key takeaways

  • Points are usually earned per pound staked, not per pound lost.
  • Their value is a tiny fraction of the house edge you pay on the same stakes.
  • VIP tiers in the UK have had strict rules since 31 October 2020.
  • Partner schemes include Coral Coins, LadBucks, PlayOJO’s OJO Levels and Casumo’s Adventure.
What they are
Credits earned for play, swapped for rewards
Usually earned by
Amount staked
VIP rules in force
31 October 2020
Bonus rules
LCCP SR code 5.1.1, including the 10x cap
Converted rewards
Crystallised loyalty bonuses count as customer funds

Loyalty points meaning

A loyalty scheme counts your play and pays you back in points, coins or levels. Each brand names them differently, but the idea is the same: stake money, collect points, then exchange them for something in the app. Some schemes add tiers, where you move up levels as you play more and get different perks.

Points differ from cashback, which is calculated as cash, and from a welcome bonus, which is a one-off sign-up offer. The rest of the reward vocabulary is in our casino app glossary.

How casino loyalty points work

  1. You stake money on eligible games; many schemes count some games more than others.
  2. The app adds points, coins or level progress to your account.
  3. Points build up, sometimes with an expiry date.
  4. You exchange them for a reward listed in the app, such as bonus spins, bonus funds or entry to a prize game.
  5. Any reward paid as a bonus follows the usual bonus terms, including wagering of 10x at most.

The detail varies by app: which games earn, how fast, and what the rewards are. Our guide to reading casino app bonus terms shows where to find the scheme rules.

What loyalty points are really worth

This example uses a made-up rate to show the maths; it isn’t any brand’s scheme. Suppose an app gives 1 point per £10 staked and 100 points convert to £1 of bonus funds. That’s a return of 0.1% of your stakes.

Illustrative loyalty value against expected loss
Stake per spinSpinsTotal stakedExpected loss at 96% RTPPoints value at 0.1%
10p500£50£2.005p
50p500£250£10.0025p
£1500£500£20.0050p

However generous a scheme looks, the cost of earning the points is the house edge on everything you stake. That’s why casinos think in terms of ‘theoretical loss’: total staked multiplied by the house edge. Wizard of Odds explains the idea on its house edge page (opens in a new tab).

Points should never be a reason to play. Staking more to reach a tier usually costs far more than the tier gives back.

Loyalty rewards in our partner casino apps

Our partners don’t all use the word ‘points’, but each has a reward scheme of some kind, going by their app listings and help pages, such as PlayOJO’s help page (opens in a new tab).

Partner reward schemes as described in their listings and help pages
AppReward schemeWhat’s published
CoralSmart Rewards, Rewards Grabber and Coral CoinsNamed in the App Store listing as promotions
LadbrokesLadBucksA reward currency used on arcade games
PlayOJOOJO Levels, Kickers, OJO Club, plus OJOplus money backLevels only go up and not every level gives a reward; Kickers are daily perks; OJO Club is invitation-only with an assigned manager
CasumoThe Adventure and Trophy CollectionA levelling avatar and rewards, with Reel Races in the app
10betNot publishedCheck the app’s promotions area

Earn rates and reward values aren’t set out in what we checked, so look inside each app. Our reviews of Coral, Ladbrokes, PlayOJO and Casumo cover the rest of each app, and our list of casino apps with loyalty rewards compares schemes.

Loyalty tiers, VIP schemes and UK rules

The top end of a loyalty scheme is the VIP or high-value customer programme, and it’s tightly regulated. Since 31 October 2020, an operator must check that a customer’s spending is affordable and sustainable, look for signs of harm or vulnerability, and hold up-to-date ID, occupation and source-of-funds evidence before making them a VIP. It must keep checking afterwards, and a senior executive holding a Personal Management Licence must oversee each scheme.

The Commission set out why in its announcement of new rules on VIP practices (opens in a new tab), and its high-value customers guidance (opens in a new tab) explains what operators must do.

  • SR code 5.1.1: rewards must have clear, fair terms; bonus wagering is capped at 10x; one incentive can’t mix gambling products; and a reward can’t be increased because you hit the qualifying spend faster.
  • Harm signs: where there are strong indicators of harm, marketing and new bonus take-up must stop, which covers loyalty offers too.
  • Your money: once a loyalty bonus is crystallised, it counts as customer funds alongside your deposits and unpaid winnings.

Our pages on customer interaction and customer funds protection cover those rules in full.

Keeping loyalty points in their place

Loyalty schemes are built to bring you back, so it helps to set the terms yourself. Set a deposit limit before you start, and use reality checks so you see how long you’ve been playing. If reward messages pull you back in, the marketing preferences rules let you choose which channels the operator uses, and our guide on how to turn off casino app notifications covers the phone side.

Partner offers and their reward schemes

Loyalty rewards come after sign-up; these welcome offers come first. Each is a slot offer for new customers aged 18+, and terms apply.

  • Coral (Coral Coins and Smart Rewards): from 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027, deposit (some types excluded) and bet £10+ on slots for 100 free spins at 10p on selected games. Accept within 48 hours; use within 7 days; spin winnings have no wagering. Excluded methods: Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards.
  • Ladbrokes (LadBucks): deposit and spend at least £10 on slots for 50 free spins a day over 10 days, at most 500, each 10p. Claim each day’s spins before 23:59 and use them within 7 days; no wagering. Deposits via prepaid card, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill or Moneybookers won’t qualify.
  • PlayOJO (OJO Levels and OJOplus): a first deposit of £10 or more brings new UK customers, excluding Northern Ireland, 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p. No wagering; winnings in cash; only through the designated link; can’t be combined.

Because Coral and Ladbrokes both run under LC International Limited, opening new accounts with both may not be possible. Rewards and spins don’t change the house edge, and losses are likely over time.

Ad18+ only. We may earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure

Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain). If you already hold an account with one Entain brand, you may not be able to open another; check the terms first.

Coral Casino 4.3/5

Bet £10 on slots, get 100 free spins

Get offer18+. New customers. T&Cs apply.
WageringNone
Minimum£10
Time limit48 hours to accept, then 7 days
Worked value100 spins at £0.10 (£10 in spins)

Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk

Read our Coral app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.

Ladbrokes Casino 4.2/5

Play £10 on slots, get up to 500 free spins

Get offer18+. New customers. T&Cs apply.
WageringNone
Minimum£10
Time limitClaim daily for 10 days; each batch valid 7 days
Worked valueUp to 500 spins at £0.10 (up to £50 in spins)

Significant terms: 18+. New customers only, from 14/11/25 until further notice. Certain deposit methods excluded. Deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day during the first 10 days after first deposit and registration (max 500, £0.10 each, selected games, claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days). No wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk

Read our Ladbrokes app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.

PlayOJO 4.2/5

80 free spins, no wagering

Get offer18+. New customers. T&Cs apply.
WageringNone
Minimum£10
Time limitSee offer terms
Worked value80 spins at £0.10 (£8 in spins)

Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk

Read our PlayOJO app reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, Gambling Commission account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.

18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.

Frequently asked questions

What are loyalty points in a casino app?

Loyalty points are credits a casino app adds to your account as you play, usually based on how much you stake. You exchange them for rewards listed in the app, such as bonus spins or bonus funds. Brands use their own names, such as Coral Coins or LadBucks. Our casino apps with loyalty rewards list compares the schemes.

Are casino loyalty points worth it?

Only as a small extra, never as a reason to play. Points are usually worth a small fraction of what you stake, while the house edge costs a larger share. In our illustrative example, 0.1% back on £500 staked is 50p against an expected loss of £20 at 96% RTP. Our house edge entry explains why the gap exists.

Do loyalty points expire?

They can, depending on the scheme’s terms. Some schemes set an expiry date for unused points, and any reward paid as bonus funds has its own expiry too. Check the scheme rules in the app before relying on a balance, and don’t play just to stop points lapsing. Our guide to reading casino app bonus terms shows where expiry rules sit.

What is a casino VIP scheme in the UK?

A VIP scheme is the top tier of a loyalty programme, offering extra rewards to high-spending customers. Since 31 October 2020, UK operators must check affordability, look for signs of harm and hold up-to-date ID, occupation and source-of-funds evidence before making anyone a VIP. A senior licence holder must oversee each scheme. Our customer interaction rules page covers the related duties.

Can loyalty rewards have wagering requirements?

Yes, if a reward is paid as bonus funds, but wagering is capped at 10 times the bonus under the Commission’s rewards and bonuses code, in force since 19 January 2026. A reward paid as cash has no wagering. Check how each reward is paid before you redeem it. Our wagering cap entry explains how 10x works in pounds.

Does PlayOJO have a loyalty scheme?

Yes, PlayOJO has OJO Levels, Kickers and the OJO Club. Its help page says levels only go up and not every level gives a reward, Kickers are daily perks, and OJO Club is invitation-only with an assigned manager. It also has OJOplus money back on every game played. Our PlayOJO app review covers the scheme with the rest of the app.

Sources