VIP programs promise exclusive perks, personal hosts, and elite status — but critics argue the system rewards sustained losses, not smart play. As lawsuits and regulators begin to examine gambling loyalty models, comparisons to predatory lending are gaining traction.
Last Updated: February 11, 2026 at 6:31 PM UTC +1
Published: February 11, 2026 at 6:31 PM UTC +1
Human Written Content
Human Written Content
VIP labels are what most gamblers long for in their favorite casino — but what if I told you the title isn’t what it’s truly made out to be? Casinos hype up these programs by setting incentives and rewards as if it’s a good thing that people are losing hundreds just to become part of an elite club. What users don’t understand is that this program is essentially an accelerant to their downfall.
These VIP programs aren’t rewarding the players who gamble the best, but instead reward the ones who are most profitable. This is not to say that “profitable” means you are in the positive. Most gambling models define “profitable” as a player with high volume — which usually equals high loss. This is where platforms get players to believe the term is beneficial to them, when in reality it is doing more harm.
These programs reward their most loyal and consistent players. They have a tiered system that gives players the chance to level up their perks by wagering more and more often. Many of these perks include higher betting limits, betting vouchers, exclusive bonuses, and even cashback rewards.
Players can even gain a special level that gives them a VIP host, which is designed to make sure that player has the best experience possible. The host is available to answer any questions and ensure that the player gets specialized treatment. It is almost like a casino butler meant to boost the player’s experience — reactivating daily bonuses and ensuring players are getting the most out of the casino.
Getting to this level can be exciting for players, but how do casinos measure this?
Casinos use qualification methods that, in most cases, are tied to the player’s deposits, wagering volume, and net losses. They aren’t judging — they’re simply using the mechanics behind the user gameplay.
Many players see this as a gateway to getting even more money, and casinos see it as a way to keep players on their site and spending more money. It’s a win-win situation, right? Wrong.
Researchers and litigators are increasingly looking into how these VIP programs affect players, and many have come to the conclusion that they resemble predatory lending. Here’s how:
In predatory lending, users are:
encouraged to keep borrowing
offered small, short-term benefits (such as lower rates)
prioritized (more time and use = more access)
targeted based on the amount and time borrowed
This may seem typical for predatory lending companies, but these mechanics are now being translated into the crypto casino industry.
Whilethe above describes what lending users are susceptible to, VIP programs create a similar dynamic for gamblers. These users are:
encouraged to keep gambling
given small loss-back bonuses
prioritized (more gambling = more perks)
targeted based on the amount they gamble and lose
Both industries use incentives and perks to make the user feel important, but in reality they are exploiting them — because the platform gains more money by doing this. Players provide financial exposure, while platforms provide incentives. This might seem fair from a business perspective, but in reality it fuels gambling addiction even more and accelerates losses for users.
Many regulators are also beginning to recognize the risks these programs bring and are pushing back. In 2024, a lawsuit was filed against DraftKings in New Jersey regarding its VIP program. The lawsuit stated that the platform encouraged a user to continue wagering and losing $1 million, despite obvious patterns of addiction.
Another instance of pushback was the UKGC reform that restricted VIP programs. They required measures such as affordability checks, senior management sign-off, and evidence that customers are not vulnerable. This is meant to ensure that platforms are not exploiting addiction and targeting vulnerable users.
While VIP programs are meant to be a way users can connect more with the platforms they trust and love, platforms often view them as a long-term revenue engine. This causes users to not only drain their bankrolls, but also let their guard down emotionally while playing.
Players see these incentives and hosts as a good reason to keep coming back, but they don’t always see the bigger picture or the reasoning behind it. If they do, then by all means — become the VIP master. Just be aware: the platform is not there to be your friend.
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