Whether your are an avid fan of poker or you have been hoping to enjoy a few engaging hands of blackjack, online casinos will provide endless hours of entertainment. If you are lucky enough, you might even walk away with a tidy sum of money. Although there is no doubt that the variety of games is truly amazing, we also need to take into account the value of VIP and loyalty schemes. So, what is in store and what types of programmes can you expect to encounter along the way?

The Value of a Casino VIP Program

The basic intention of any casino VIP program is to reward players for their loyalty as well as to provide registered users with access to different game variants. Not only will this emphasise the quality of the brand, but these bonuses tend to be progressive in their nature. In other words, they become more valuable as a member progresses through various levels (sometimes referred to as tiers). Thus, there is always something new and this ensures that members keep coming back for more. Not only is this an excellent marketing strategy, but it is just as highly valuable to the players themselves.

The Different Types of Casino Loyalty Programs at a Glance

From a general standpoint, any casino loyalty program can be classified into one of several categories. Some of these will include (but may not be limited to):

• Initial sign-up bonuses.
• Referral rewards.
• Matched deposits.
• Free spins or credits.
• Prizes after reaching a certain level of gameplay.

It is not uncommon for an online casino to offer several of these rewards. The majority now boast hefty sign-up bonuses. Some of these can match the initial deposit amount by up to a few thousand pounds. Others provide free spins that can be worth real cash value if the player wins a round (such as in roulette). As these spins are not associated with any type of risk, they can be thought of as “money for nothing”.

Why Choose a UK Online Casino that Offers Loyalty Points?

It is important to mention the difference between a bonus and a casino loyalty program. Bonuses tend to be one-off bundles by their very nature; awarded at specific benchmark levels or upon initially registering with the website. Loyalty points are much more predictable. They are provided at regular increments and generally based around the amount of time that the player has been registered with the casino. While some will argue that loyalty points are not as outwardly impressive as the average UK online casino bonus, we have to remember that these points can often be used to access additional areas of the site that could be off limits to the average player.

Levelling Up and Other Unique Programmes

Every provider is associated with its own rewards and bonuses. For instance, an “adventure casino” might provide rewards such as fast-paced tournaments and massive jackpots. A platform focused more around traditional bingo could offer its players other types of bonuses such as speed rounds or the ability to play a bingo card at no extra charge. These options have just as much to do with branding as they involve catering to the needs of the player in question.

Many are associated with incremental rewards; sometimes known as “levelling up”. The player can earn badges, medals and similar items. There are even instances when digital currency can be used to access games without having to deposit any additional funds. The main takeaway point is that VIP programs are as varied as the casinos themselves.

Things to Look Out For

Not all casino VIP programs are made the same. Some are much more transparent than others. This is the first variable to address. These are several questions to ask before registering with a website. Three of the most important include:

• Is it easy to understand the terms and conditions?
• Will you be provided with a live account representative if a problem arises?
• Are there time limits associated with the rewards and if so, how quickly will they need to be redeemed?

All that glitters may not necessarily be gold. So, be sure to read through all of the relevant information well in advance. There are literally hundreds of online casinos and the best will always be associated with amazing rewards programmes. Indeed, it always pays to be a VIP member!

Anyone who has gone into a casino in the real, physical world can empathise with the all too familiar sight. The player who stands at the table, either in quiet confidence or shouting from the rooftops that they’re going to win big, because they have a ‘system’ that’s guaranteed. Online, it’s no different and this is no more true than at the roulette table. Players will line up in droves to claim their free bonus or matched betting gift, and either read up on tried and tested strategies, or work on one they’ve had up their sleeves for a while, and go straight to playing some hardcore roulette online. The results are mixed at best. Before long, that £40 free bonus has dried up, and the player is digging in to their wallet to reclaim their lost funds, relying all the time on that all important ‘winning roulette strategy’. For those who play more seriously, there is a higher chance of success, but in all honesty, if strategies are a player’s ‘thing’, roulette is probably not the best game to be playing.

The best strategy, if it can be considered a thing, is to scrap all ideas of ‘playing the house at their own game’ and just get to grips with the way the game works as well as the odds of winning. It’s a little known fact that, of all the casino games available, the roulette system is well and truly stacked against the player. Look at it this way. There are 36 numbers plus a ‘0’ and ’00’ on some boards. That’s a 37 to 1 chance that a player will get that exact number, and when they do, the average payout is 35 to 1. There are literally no strategies that can help improve the chances of winning big, as it’s a simple case of letting the ball land where it wants to each time. There are actually other ways to greatly improve the odds of winning a smaller payout. Forget ’17 black’ or ’23 red’ or whatever favourite anyone has previously had. These are nothing more than a fun way to play. Looking at the outside tablet bets, simply placing a bet on red or black is right up there with the smaller odds, literally a 2:1 chance that a player will win their bet back. Instead of a 35 to 1 payout, this method simply ensures that the winner receives back double their stake, with the chances of a win being just over 17 times higher than betting on a specific number. For any small time player, or even seasoned gamer, this is the most basic of roulette tips but is a common sense policy.

Knowing the way that the roulette rules work is also an advantage in that a player will actually know firstly what they are betting on, but secondly what their chances are of walking away with more money than they arrived with. Forgetting the golden rule of no bets being allowed once the table starts spinning, there are a number of ‘side bets’ that are allowed depending on the rules of the casino.

For instance, a ‘corner bet’ with a chip placed over four numbers has an odds of 8:1 if a number turns up. Much like the ‘red and black’ variant, the ‘low and high’ bet simply asks the player to bet on whether the number will be in the bottom or top half of the numbers with a 2:1 payout. Developing on that, a player can bet on a low, middle or high dozen, which is self explanatory, but pays slightly higher than a 2:1 odds.

Like any casino game, the more complex it is, the more strategies and ways people claim to have found to beat the house. But roulette is painfully simple to play and is down purely to chance. There’s no way to influence the outcome and this is why many roulette tables will be crowded with older players, low stakes gamblers and newbies, all keen to get into a real casino game with their limited experience and low tolerance for risk and drama. The key trick to remember with roulette is not to try and have any strategy at all. Know the odds of each type of bet and the player will know exactly how likely they are to win, and where to look at placing bets.

If you think online casinos are convenient, try the UK Live Casinos for more thrill and excitement. Live casinos are now more popular than ever. With real life dealers, being recorded in real time and replying to you live, it is hard to not like this online casino advantage, which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home. It is no surprise to find an increased number of online casino players switching to plays like Live Dealer Blackjack, Live Dealer Baccarat and Live Dealer Roulette.

What is so different about UK Live Dealer Casinos?

If you are not familiar with UK Live Dealer Casinos, you might be wondering what they are and their unique functions. Below is how to identify a UK Online Dealer Casino.

• A UK online Dealer Casino MUST have live dealers who are recorded in real time and perform all the functions of a land-based casino dealer.
• It must be legalised and regulated by the Gambling Commission of UK and the Government of Gibraltar.
• It should offer safe online deposit and withdrawal methods.
• A UK Online Dealer Casino MUST be based in the United Kingdom.
• The dealers should be literally live, as they stand by the table of your choice and roll the wheel or deal with your cards.

How Live Dealers are adding flair to UK Online Casinos

• Live dealers reduce the ‘online gambling’ feeling and make players feel as if they were at a physically located casino.
• You get to experience real-time online gambling. Live dealers will spin the wheel and ball and deal the cards to you as you watch.
• You can play from anywhere. As long as you have a connection to the internet, you can enjoy Live Casinos from work or home, as you do other things!
• It is as exciting as playing from a land-based casino. Live dealers are fun to work with, reminding you how on how it feels to be at the casino, waiting on the table to spin.
• Unlike conventional online casinos that insist on offering privacy, Live Dealers encourage social interactions by making it possible to chat with the dealer and other players.
• Occasional bonuses. Traditional casinos do not have deposit bonus to offer. However, you can get regular bonuses or promotions from Live Online Casinos.
• Players can participate in Live Dealer Games simply by using their usual casino account.
• Unlike Random Number Generators (RNG), players can watch results play out in actual time with Live Dealers, thus making every game real and thrilling.

What to evaluate when choosing a UK Live Casino Online

With so many online casinos offering Live Dealers, it can be difficult to decide which one is best. Here are things you should know before picking a Live dealer.

1.Styles of dealers may vary. However, the Vegas-style gaming is most popular.

2.Ensure that the Live Dealer Casino of your choice uses the best software, with a very user-friendly interface.

3.Confirm whether you Live Casino Dealer guarantees encrypted transactions and protects your bank information.

With UK Live Online Casinos, you can still play your favourite games like Live Dealer Baccarat, Live Dealer Roulette Wheel and Live Dealer Blackjack. It is like playing at a land-based casino but from the comfort of your home.

For those who want more excitement and thrill in their online casino games, Live Dealers is an excellent alternative! Even for the ones who do not completely trust Randon Number Generators.

The different kinds of free spins found at UK online casinos. Over the last decade nothing has taken the world of online gaming and entertainment by storm more than online casinos. What started off as a tentative experiment to bring the in-house gaming experience online, has seen gamers across the world take to the online experience with gusto and fervour.

In recent years, as the competition for gamblers attention has intensified, online casino companies have had find new ways to grab their attention. Initially there were very few incentives available to keep players interested or to attract them to one uk online casino over another. They started out offering gamers a percentage-based welcome bonus for joining their online casino… an offer that did not prove to be that exciting!

However the concept of free spins changed all of that. And they have now become the most popular form of bonus for online casinos.

What are casino free spins and how can I get them?

The essential idea behind casino free spins is to attract players to an online casino by giving the opportunity to play their games before making a substantial cash deposit, and of course make some winnings! Although it is important to understand that the amount you can win on a free spins will be capped – normally you can win no more than £100.

Finding the free spin promotions isn’t too hard either – either by using a well-known search engine, or indeed visiting online casinos that you know; the offers will be well advertised!

What are the different types of free spins available to players?

Two different types of free spins have been developed over the last few years. Early on, the first kind of offer required players to make a deposit in their chosen online casino before the platform then released the free spins for you to use.

More recently some online casinos have dropped the deposit requirement to make them more attractive to players. This meant that players could try out the casino and win or lose, no deposit was needed.

As time went by, online casinos looked to give gamblers more offers – and so, for example, they offered a large release of free spins to players as part of a special promotional period, or say the launch of a new game.

However, as the no deposit free spins offers began to spread, online casinos became frustrated at gamers then looking for other offers and not staying on their platform and making deposits. So looking for ways to guarantee gamblers’ loyalty to them (and to give them an edge versus the competition) they have started to give away hundreds of free spins – far more than the no deposit offers – to players who make a deposit at the casino.

What’s the catch?

While it would be harsh to call this a “catch”, players nevertheless need to be aware that “Wagering Conditions” do put a limit on your ability to cash out any winnings you may have accumulated using free spins.

Buried in the Terms & Conditions of most online casinos are these wagering conditions, outlining that winnings from your additional spins can only be cashed out when you have deposited a certain cash equivalent with the casino – e.g. something that is 20x the value of your winnings with the free spins (such as £200, for having won £10 with your winnings).

However, it is certainly true to say that as the marketplace for online casinos has become more competitive, a number of providers have dropped their wagering conditions.

The next decade for UK online casinos and free spins

There is no question that different types of free spins continue to be the ultimate attraction for the thousands and thousands of gamblers that go online everyday to enjoy the online casino experience. Casino companies will continue to look for new and innovative ways to attract gamblers to their platforms over the next decade.

Avoid having your winnings eaten up by fees and commissions associated with your payment option. Get paid within a time frame that suits you. Match your deposits and withdrawal methods to your lifestyle. Being smart about the payment option that you use will make sure that you maximise your ‘earnings’ from playing on online casinos and that depositing money to, and withdrawing money from, your account is simple and stress free.

Different payment options, different fees

Take a look at the casino payment options at your favourite online casino. Good casinos are usually transparent about all aspects of the customer experience, and so they should ideally list the charges associated with different casino deposit methods, and different casino withdrawal methods, too. Withdrawing money to your bank account might come with a flat fee of £25 attached, for example, whilst withdrawing the cash to your PayPal account could come with an associated fee of 3% of the total withdrawal amount. Do some calculations and work out which withdrawal method is cheaper for you.

Different payment options, different time scales

For many online casino enthusiasts, time is as (if not more) important than money. Sometimes, you want to get your hands on your winnings as quickly as possible. At other times, you may be more willing to wait. Again, take a look at what time frames are available for withdrawals from your favourite casinos. It may take 48 hours for a payment to clear to your PayPal account, for example, but up to 7 days for it to appear in your bank account. Many casinos offer their players the option of paying a higher fee in order to get their hands on their money more quickly. Work out whether these considerations are of prime importance to you, and select your payment methods accordingly.

Different payment options, different lifestyles

This paragraph is all about your personality. Some people love the slick convenience of a PayPal app, whilst others are more than happy to wait for a casino to send them a cheque in the post. Review the various payment options that are available for you and work out which one best suits your lifestyle. After all, there is perhaps little point in fiddling around with a smartphone app so that you can set up a PayPal or MoneyBookers account if you do not find this app intuitive to use and it would only save you 1% of your withdrawal amount compared to a bank wire transfer or a cheque.

Hot tip: keep your eyes peeled for free deposit and withdrawal bonuses

Every so often, online casinos offer bonuses in the form of free deposits and withdrawals. This means that players can funnel money in to their accounts, and withdraw their winnings without having to pay any fees or commissions to the online casino. Such bonuses tend to be time limited (often, they last a month). When you find one of these bonuses, it is a great idea to take advantage of it to the full and to make as many withdrawals as possible within the given time period.

A balance of three factors

Time, money and your own personal lifestyle preferences: these are the three factors that you need to take into account when deciding which payment method is best for you. It is worthwhile spending half an hour or so doing a little research into the various payment options available to you so that you can make your life easier in the future.