Most businesses understand that nothing attracts customers, both new and established, like free giveaways. Grocery stores use “free samples” in their aisles to entice shoppers to try new food items. Other stores use “buy one, get one free” promotions to lure in new buyers.
Although casinos are more about providing an entertainment experience than offering fresh meats and cheeses, they also use the idea of giveaways to bring in players. The system of giving players complimentary gifts (also called “comps”) has seduced many new players into laying down their cash.
What Are “Comps”?
A comp can be anything that he casino designates as a reward for their regular players. From T-shirts and buffets to luxury suites and five-star cuisine, casinos offer all kinds of “freebies” to get players in the door and keep them at their favorite tables or machines as long as possible.
How Do Players Get Comps?
Casinos have developed a “rating system” to determine how players receive comps. Casinos rate players based on several factors, including:
- Game Selection. Players at certain games with a high house edge, such as slots and roulette, will earn comp ratings points faster than those that play at games with lower house advantages, such as blackjack or poker.
- Duration of Play. The longer a player stays at their game, the more ratings points the player earns. Casinos understand that, the longer the player stays at the game, the more likely the player is to lose.
- Average bet size. The bigger the bet, the faster the player earns comps. Players at a blackjack table with a minimum bet of $500 will earn comps much faster than those at a $10 table.
Do Online Casinos offer Comps?
Online casinos and poker sites have comp rating systems that use formulas similar to those of land-based casinos. Of course, the online casinos can’t offer free hotel rooms, bar tabs or show tickets. Most of the online casinos allow players to cash in their comp points for merchandise such as t-shirts, electronics and other gift items.
