Casinos love all of their players, but it just makes good business sense to look after those who spend the most. These high rollers, sometimes dubbed “whales,” receive all kinds of perks to make sure they have the most enjoyable experience possible.
All of the best online casino sites and land-based venues employ the same strategies. In this article, you’ll find out exactly what being a high roller actually entails, as well as the benefits such players receive.
What Is a High Roller?
Before going any further, it’s important to understand exactly what a high roller is. It’s difficult to put an exact monetary value on it, but anyone wagering bigger-than-average sums qualifies. If you’re betting thousands of dollars at a time, you’re almost certainly in the ballpark.
And that’s really the key to becoming a high roller. If you consistently remain loyal to a certain casino and gamble sizable amounts, they’ll naturally start to look after you. After all, casinos are businesses, not charities. They know it’s smart to keep a big spender around, whether you play poker online or high-stakes baccarat in the VIP room.
What Are the Perks of Being a High Roller?
Most high-roller benefits are centered around creating an exclusive experience. The casino management understands that these players are the dictionary definition of VIPs. As such, they want to emphasize their importance to the casino by supplying premium experiences that are simply unavailable to the average player.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common high-roller perks and privileges.
Exclusive Gaming Spaces
Perhaps the most obvious feature of any good high-roller casino is the VIP room. Situated in a quiet area away from the main gaming floor, high-staking guests are guaranteed a seat at these exclusive tables.
The minimum and maximum betting limits will naturally be increased to allow such high-rolling players to bet as they wish. There may also be exclusive games – or regular ones with modified rules – available to VIPs too. And, of course, the service and attention to detail throughout will be of the highest standard.
Exclusive high-limit areas are not only the domain of brick-and-mortar casinos, though. You’ve probably seen the high-stakes live dealer online casino games offered by providers like Evolution, for example. These studio designs are always a little bit more luxurious. But many online casinos also offer regular games with increased betting limits.
Custom Bonuses and Rewards
Online casino bonuses are not especially noteworthy in this day and age. With so many sites to choose from, customers can easily be tempted elsewhere, so casinos have to work hard at their marketing game. Tantalizing signup offers, rewarding loyalty programs and special promotions, like happy hours, are all available to the average Joe.
However, a high-roller online casino will kick things up a notch. At a minimum, any ordinary bonuses, such as cashback rebates or reload offers, will be significantly enhanced. Personalized bonuses are particularly common, too, with gifts presented to players on their birthday, for example.
VIPs can usually secure tickets to special events, sporting contests and other forms of live entertainment. They may receive heavy discounts on hotel stays and dining experiences – in some cases, these are entirely complimentary. Some loyalty rewards programs have been known to give their highest-rolling players all kinds of luxury items, including watches and sports cars.
Dedicated Staff
VIP players are usually assigned a personal account manager to take care of their every need. That might be a dedicated customer support line for when things go wrong at an online casino. Or it might be someone to plan out their next trip to the brick-and-mortar casino, including travel arrangements and hotel rooms.
The best VIP casinos do everything possible to care for their most special guests. They don’t want them to lift a finger, allowing the customer to focus on having the best possible time.
Legendary High Rollers
There are many well-known celebrities who like to gamble, and such high-profile figures would surely receive VIP casino treatment. However, not all high rollers are Hollywood movie stars. Many are wealthy business people or serious gamblers who aren’t otherwise in the public eye.
Take a look at some intriguing characters who are known for being flashy with the cash in the casino.
Dan Bilzerian
The mysterious Bilzerian came to prominence as an Instagram influencer, often seen partying with models. Although he claims to have made his money from playing high-stakes poker, notable figures on the scene seem to dispute this. It’s been claimed that he’s a losing player in those big games, with accusations of using other people’s investments to bankroll his lifestyle.
One thing’s for sure, however. The controversial and extravagant Bilzerian would always be welcome in any VIP casino, with his rumored net worth of around $200 million.
Paul Phua
Wei Seng Phua, better known as “Paul,” was a key figure in establishing the Triton Poker Series. An operator of big money junkets in Asia, particularly Macau, among other business ventures, Phua plays high-stakes poker professionally these days.
Known to accept massive sports bets, Phua is thought to be worth as much as $400 million. His live poker tournament earnings are already reaching the $30 million mark. But who knows how much he’s earned from cash games with the likes of Tom Dwan, Patrik Antonius and Phil Ivey?
Don Johnson
In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, casinos became desperate to bring in high rollers. Several Atlantic City casinos would regret their decision to offer extremely favorable terms to a man called Don Johnson, however. He took them for over $15 million in roughly six months.
Johnson negotiated extremely beneficial blackjack rules, including re-splitting aces, the dealer standing on soft 17 and a 20% rebate on losses. All in all, he was able to bring the house edge down to a little over 0.26%. And coupled with some good fortune, managed to hit three top casinos for between $4 million and $6 million each.
Live the Good Life at BetMGM
Do you fancy a taste of the good life? Be sure to register at BetMGM for the ultimate high-roller experience online. With special VIP tables and limits, not to mention the lucrative MGM Rewards program, you can feel like a Hollywood A-lister from the comfort of your own couch.
