by Devon Chappell, News Staff Writer

October 16, 2009

When it comes to earning comp points at online casinos, unless you are a high roller, the conversion rate is generally not worth a dime of salt. Goes to show what kind of players the casinos value the most, eh? No matter where you play the average comp point scheme will award 1 point for every $10 wagered, which doesn't sound bad. But when you consider that it takes 100 points to convert into $1 of bonus cash, it has to make you wonder "why bother?" Let's do the math, shall we?

If you indeed do the math (I think online casinos presume most players don't bother to do the math or simply don't know how), it would take $1,000 in bets to earn $1 in bonus cash. That's 0.1% cash back. Again, you might ask why even bother offering comp points when you can just get cash back on all deposits and never-ending reload bonuses? The reason is because cash converted from comp points is not necessarily the same as a bonus (although you still have to meet a play-through requirement before cashing out, albeit much lower at around 5x). In fact, an increasing number of online casinos are now allowing players to redeem comp points in for merchandise and gift cards.

Recently helping give comp point loyalty programs a better name is 32Red Casino. This top-rated UK online gambling destination recently upgraded it's "Red Rubies" and "Club Rouge" loyalty programs by increasing the number of games that contribute to comp points. Oh ya, did I mention that most loyalty programs only award comp points for wagers made on slots, keno and other games with high House Edges? But not anymore at 32Red.

Now available for comp points as part of "Red Ruby Rewards" (which all depositing players are signed up for) are wagers made at Baccarat, Roulette, Table Poker, War, Sic Bo, Red Dog, Blackjack and video poker, while 32Red's Club Rouge program (invite only) is giving a 33% increase in comp points for slots wagers. For Red Ruby Rewards this amounts to 1 point for every 10 wagered on slots and keno, 20 wagered on Table Poker, War, Sic Bo and Roulette, and 50 wagered on Blackjack, Baccarat and Video Poker. Club Rouge conversion is much better at 1 point for every 10 wagered on Blackjack, Baccarat, Video Poker, Sic Bo, Roulette, War, Red Dog, Table Poker, Progressive Slots and even Craps, while 10 wagered at slots and keno earns 3 comp points.

And for double comp points, 32Red offers "Ruby Tuesday" (not to be confused with the restaurant chain) on select games each month. Currently, 32Red's most recently launched online casino games, including "Kung Fu Monkey Goes to Chinatown", "Wooly World", "Pure Platinum" and "Quest for Beer" are all offering double comp points every Tuesday.

So, just when you thought online casino loyalty programs were just a way to make you think you're earning some serious comps, some online casinos like 32Red are stepping up what it means to show loyalty to their players. It still isn't a free hotel stay in Vegas, but at least it's better than nothing.

For more information, please Visit 32 Red Casino or read the OCS 32Red Casino Review.

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