You’ve probably heard the phrase, “nothing is guaranteed in gambling,” or something to that effect, if you’ve spent time in any of Iowa’s casinos. From the pit bosses at Riverside Casino to the seasoned gamblers at Prairie Meadows, virtually everyone who’s been around the game long enough knows that the only certainty in betting is uncertainty. In mathematical terms, this is known as volatility. It’s the thing that makes casino games, sports betting, and poker exciting. Not knowing how things will go keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The phrase, “nothing is guaranteed in gambling,” isn’t strictly true, because of something known as comps, or in the online gambling world, bonuses. Go to Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, fill out a simple form, and you’ll become a member of the Resort Club. Members of this not-so-exclusive club get $10 free slot play, resort credit, discounts at the onsite leisure facilities, and luxury vacations.
All of these comps are guaranteed when you hit certain betting milestones. Put simply, Resort Club members earn points each time they spend money at Riverside. These points contribute to their VIP status which, in turn, unlocks perks. Companies in other industries do the same. For example, join American Airlines air miles scheme and you’ll earn points each time you fly. These points can be redeemed for upgrades, free flights, and tickets to exclusive events.
Betting X to Receive Y is the Secret Casino Equation
The online casino sector has similar systems in place. In fact, online operators like PlayStar have taken what their land-based counterparts offer and bumped it to a new level. As well as points each time you place bets, customers can take part in leaderboard promotions offering cash payouts, claim deposit bonus, and collect free spins by playing specific games. The best example of is the PlayStar Casino welcome bonus. This is known in the industry as a deposit match, so the amount you deposit as a new customer gets matched 1:1 as a bonus.
This particular deal is worth up to $500 so, for example, if a new customer deposits $300, they get $300 in bonus credits. The credits and any associated winnings can’t be withdrawn until the customer has wagered 30x the value of their bonus. Once they’ve done that, the bonus is converted to cash. That’s just one of many bonuses online casino players can claim and it’s the reason there are some guarantees in gambling.
The guarantees don’t remove the inherent uncertainty of casino games themselves. What they do, however, is give you an anchor point i.e. complete X task to receive Y reward. A lot of people fail to appreciate this side of the industry. Chasing big wins is great, but smart players will always look to get an edge by locking up low-risk rewards. Adopt this line of thinking next time you play casino games and you’ll get a lot more for your efforts. What’s more, you can raise a wry smile the next time you hear someone say there are no guarantees in gambling.
