If you’ve ever signed up for a sweepstakes casino, you’ll probably be familiar with VIP or loyalty programs. In many cases, they take the form of a little progress bar somewhere on the home screen. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned sweepstakes slot-spinner or table game player, it helps to know the ins and outs of how these programs work.
The simple truth? Not all VIP Programs are the same. Some are distinctly better than others. Certain sweepstakes casinos cater their programs to frequent players while others are more friendly to beginners. This page will cover it all, serving as your resource for how to determine whether a VIP program is best for your play style. We’ll cover how the programs usually work, what to look for in VIP program terms, and our top three VIP programs.
How do VIP programs work?
VIP programs can vary in exactly how their metaphorical gears turn. Fortunately, though, the broad strokes are similar from one site to the next.
First, VIP programs tend to sign you up automatically when you create an account with a sweepstakes casino. You don’t need to do anything extra to join, and you’ll start earning right away.
Second, they hinge on earning your way through tiered levels. The way you earn higher levels varies by site. Some will let you earn points or progress by playing with GC or SC. Others require purchases. It’s important to check the VIP program details at your chosen site so you know exactly how to earn your way to higher ranks.
Third, you get rewards for reaching VIP program tiers. These vary and can take many forms, including boosted purchase deals, access to live chat, GC or SC just for making it to that level, coinback rewards, and more. Below, we walk through three VIP programs from sweepstakes sites, and you’ll notice how they differ.
Finally, note that some VIP programs let you keep your level permanently, allowing for long-term climbs to astronomical levels. Others only count your progress from a short period, such as two months, and will demote you if you fall below that level’s required level of play. We’ll touch on this later.
Compare the best VIP and loyalty reward casinos
Three VIP programs and their perks
Now, let’s look at three examples. Note that these are not necessarily our top VIP programs. Instead, they’re meant to showcase how these programs vary from one casino to another.
McLuck loyalty club
McLuck Casino offers a fairly standard sweepstakes VIP program. As you climb through the ranks, you earn better rewards, including welcome coin packages (once you reach Platinum), coin purchase boosts, and weekly prizes.
As for structure, McLuck measures your progress based on monthly play. If you play enough in a given month to reach a certain level’s required play threshold, you reach that level. You stay at that status for two months. If, during those two months, you don’t play enough to stick at that level, you’ll be downgraded to the lowest level you qualified for in the month.
This encourages ongoing play at McLuck, and it’s built for players who plan to favor the site instead of spreading their play across sites.
| VIP levels | Iron | Bronze | Silver | Gold | Platinum | Ruby | Diamond | Black Diamond |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GC required to reach | None (starting level) | 500K/month | 3M/per month | 15/month | 60M/month | 500M/year | 2,500M/year | 12,500M/year |
| Welcome reward | None | None | None | None | Up to 100K GC and 50 SC | Up to 500K GC and 250 SC | Up to 2M GC and 1,000 SC | Up to 5M GC and 2,500 SC |
| Weekly coin boost deal | 0% | 25% | 30% | 35% | 40% | 50% | 75% | 100% |
| Weekly reward | None | Up to 50 SC | Up to 70 SC | Up to 100 SC | Up to 200 SC | Up to 300 SC | Up to 500 SC | Up to 1,000 SC |
| VIP club access? | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Overall, the McLuck Loyalty Club is a good example of what to look for in a sweeps VIP program. It has clear tiers, good rewards, and fair rules.
Pulsz VIP loyalty rewards
We include Pulsz Casino as an example here because it’s bare bones. There aren’t any added bells and whistles. Will that appeal to some players? Certainly. Pulsz keeps things simple with Gold Coin package multipliers, essentially adding value to any future purchases. You also get extra VIP Points when you level up, so there’s always a sense of progression.
At Pulsz, you earn VIP Points by making purchases or playing games. 100 GC played usually translates to 2 VIP points. Your progress is tracked via a bar on the homepage.
The negatives? A lack of depth. Other sweepstakes sites (including McLuck above) have robust and layered VIP programs with many benefits players can look forward to. Pulsz only gives you that feeling if you plan to make purchases frequently and in the long term. If you’re mainly a for-fun or free player, you’re not going to find much value, literal or otherwise, in Pulsz’s program.
| Benefit | Bronze | Silver | Gold | Platinum | Diamond | Royal Diamond |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coin package multiplier | 1x | 1.25x | 1.5x | 1.75x | 2x | 2.25x |
| VIP points at level up | 1x | 2x | 3x | 4x | 5x | 6x |
Sweet Sweeps
Finally, we come to Sweet Sweeps. On its surface, this VIP program has all the fixings of a top-tier option. But there’s a big elephant in this candy-filled room, and it’s the effective purchase requirement.
Sweet Sweeps starts you off at the “Swirl” level, then immediately paywalls all remaining benefits behind hefty purchase thresholds. To reach the next level, you need to spend at least $250 total. The level after that? $750. These numbers keep getting higher, to the point where no casual player will ever reach levels beyond the first few.
So, while the rewards might look enticing, they’re blocked behind massive purchase hurdles. We include Sweet Sweeps here as a clear “what not to do” on the sweepstakes operator’s side of things.
| Level | Welcome bonus | Daily cashback | Points boost | Min. purchase amount and value | Package discount | Cashback monthly limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swirl | 1 SC and 3,750 GC | 2% | N/A | N/A | N/A | 50 SC |
| Double Dip | 5 SC and 5,000 GC | 3% | N/A | 250 SC ($250) | N/A | 100 SC |
| Trio Treat | 10 SC and 1,000 GC | 5% | 1.1x | 750 SC ($750) | 1% | 200 SC |
| Choc Top | 20 SC and 20,000 GC | 5% | 1.1x | 1,500 SC ($1,500) | 1% | 300 SC |
| Cookie Crunch | 50 SC and 50,000 GC | 6% | 1.15x | 3,500 SC ($3,500) | 2% | 400 SC |
| Waffle Cone | 100 SC and 100,000 GC | 8% | 1.15x | 9,000 SC ($9,000) | 2% | 600 SC |
| Choc Fudge | 250 SC and 250,000 GC | 10% | 1.2x | 20,000 GC ($20,000) | 3% | 800 SC |
| Sundae Deluxe | 500 SC and 500,000 GC | 12.5% | 1.2x | 40,000 SC ($40,000) | 3% | 1,000 SC |
| Banana Split | 1,000 SC and 1,000,000 GC | 15% | 1.3x | 100,000 SC ($100,000) | 4% | 2,500 SC |
| Strawberry Diamond | 2,000 SC and 2,000,000 GC | 15% | 1.3x | 250,000 SC ($250,000) | 4% | 3,000 SC |
How to join a VIP program
Joining a VIP program is as simple as signing up for a sweepstakes casino account. The vast majority of VIP programs enroll you automatically as soon as you sign up for an account. In other words, there’s no added step or separate sign-up required. Follow these general steps to get started, keeping in mind that the exact order or terminology can vary.
Choose your sweepstakes site.
Head to the site on a desktop or mobile browser.Start signing up.
Click the button that says “Register,” “Join,” or similar.Provide details.
You’ll need an email address and password, plus personal info like first and last name, address, and date of birth.Plug in a promo code.
If there’s a promo code for the welcome bonus, use it during sign-up.Acknowledge the terms and conditions.
Check the appropriate boxes to confirm you accept the terms.Complete sign-up.
This may involve confirming with an email link or code sent to your phone.
Once your account is ready, your VIP or loyalty program enrollment is done. The only other thing to look out for is a verification requirement. Some sites require you to verify your age, location, and identity via KYC processes before you are enrolled in a VIP program. This is separate from sign-up and requires an ID and proof of address. We recommend doing it right after sign-up to keep things easy.
How to earn VIP points
Not all sweepstakes casinos are the same, which means their VIP programs differ, too. You may earn VIP progress at one site by playing with Gold Coins, while another won’t offer the same benefit. Let’s look at the main ways sites allow you to earn VIP progress.
Play with Gold Coins (or other standard currency)
Many sweepstakes VIP programs will grant some VIP points or experience when you play with Gold Coins or the equivalent currency. The structure involves a specific rate of play. For example, you might earn one VIP point for every 100 GC played. Because GC are made to be used for fun, this is one of the easier ways to get points, though you don’t get a lot of VIP progress for GC play in general.
Read our guide to learn more about how Gold Coins work.
Play with Sweeps Coins (or other premium currency)
Playing with Sweeps Coins (or Sweepstakes Coins, Sweeps Cash, or other names for it) is another way to earn progress. Though economies differ, playing with SC will almost always earn you some VIP points or level progress. In some cases, you might advance when you’ve played a certain number of SC. In others, you may get VIP points or VIP currency for each time you play 1 SC total.
Read our guide to learn more about how Sweep Coins work.
Complete promotions and missions
Many sweepstakes casino promotions, missions, and challenges will offer VIP rewards. For example, you might get a set number of VIP points if you complete a quest to play a certain number of spins on an eligible game.
Promos and challenges vary widely, so always keep an eye out for these opportunities.
Purchase coin packages
This is the big one! Many sites will give you VIP progress when you purchase Gold Coins and get some free SC along with them.
This isn’t true of every site, though, because some allow you to earn VIP progress by playing with SC, which you can get for free with purchases.
Discover the package for you using our Gold Coin package tool.
How to get free SC from VIP programs
VIP and loyalty programs offer generous rewards. Here’s how you can get them.
| New level/tier rewards: | When you achieve a new level, you might get a special reward in the form of GC and SC. |
| Coinback percentage: | Some Sweepstakes casinos will give you a percentage of your played SC back as a reward. The percentage often increases as you reach higher levels. |
| Birthday bonus: | During your birthday month, VIP programs will sometimes give you a boost in the form of Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins. |
| Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Rewards: | Many VIP programs offer rewards on a regular basis as long as you maintain your level. They can be daily, weekly, or monthly, and the rewards are bigger at higher levels. |
We may not have covered everything here. Always check the details of your preferred VIP program to see if there are other GC and SC opportunities.
VIP level expiration and progression
- Type 1: Levels resetVIP programs reward you for consistent play. If the structure involves levels resetting, then you need to keep up the consistency over time. McLuck runs a program like this, in which you keep your level based on your previous two months of play. IF your play falls to the point of a lower level, you’ll be demoted to that tier. Increase your play the next month, and you’ll go back up.This VIP structure is slightly more common than the permanent progress type below.
- Type 2: Progress is permanentHello Millions is known for its permanent-progress VIP program. In it, you earn a level and keep it forever. You can continue climbing as long as you’d like or until you reach the maximum level at the site. Programs like that tend to have many more tiers and levels to climb.
VIP vs. Loyalty Programs: Is there a difference?
In the world of sweepstakes casinos, you’re likely to see the phrases “VIP Program” and “Loyalty Program” thrown around interchangeably. This is because they are, essentially, the same thing at sweepstakes gaming sites.
You might see a site call its program a Loyalty Program but offer VIP-style rewards or vice-versa. In this specific arena, consider them the same thing.
Dos and don’ts of VIP program participation
Do
- Know the program’s structure upfront. Sweepstakes casinos often have comprehensive tables or bulleted lists of benefits, tiers, and rewards.
- Prioritize programs that don’t require purchases. You should be able to earn rewards for playing with bonus SC. Purchases should be a bonus method to get more VIP progress, not a requirement.
- Take advantage of promotions. They can often boost your progress or earn you more points.
- Play responsibly. Don’t overdo it just to earn another tier. Check in with yourself and only play when you’re having fun.
Don’t
- Chase levels blindly. Play within your budget and enjoy your time with the games. Don’t play just to achieve the next tier; let it come naturally.
- Put too much stock into badges or statuses. Focus on the rewards, not the titles or flashy visuals VIP programs offer.
- Join programs with unreasonable requirements, such as purchasing Coins just to advance.
Always play responsibly
Remember to treat your time with sweepstakes casinos as entertainment and not an income stream. These sites are meant to be fun, but the risk of problem gambling is still there.
Always set a budget and stick to it. If you need to, use sweepstakes casino responsible gaming tools to set limits on your session time and spending.
If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to the National Problem Gambling Hotline (1-800-GAMBLER) or other organizations offering support.
VIP program FAQs
No. Some sweepstakes casinos completely lack a VIP program. This alone isn’t enough to steer clear, but it should be one of your considerations.
No, not usually. Most sweepstakes casinos automatically enroll you into their VIP or loyalty programs as soon as you create an account. No need to opt in or create a separate VIP account.
This depends on your preferences. If you expect to play a lot on a regular basis, a program that requires monthly level minimums might be for you. If your play is more staggered over time, a permanent-progress site like Hello Millions could be a better fit.
No, not at sweepstakes casinos. The terms are used interchangeably and mean the same thing at most sites.
VIP hosts are employees at sweepstakes casinos whose job is to interact with high-level players (aka high spenders). You might get a VIP host if you reach super high levels in a loyalty program or spend a lot on a regular basis.
Not in most cases. Purchases can sometimes earn you extra progress, but they usually aren’t required. IF a site’s VIP program does require purchases, we recommend playing elsewhere. Purchasing should grant extra benefits, but not be a requirement.