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Casino rewards declining: a player's frustration

Casino Rewards Dwindle | MGM Players Share Discontent Over Loyalty Cuts

By

Marco Rossi

Jul 16, 2025, 08:36 PM

Edited By

Emily Chen

Updated

Jul 17, 2025, 02:40 PM

2 minutes reading time

A frustrated player looking at a slot machine with a disappointed expression, symbolizing declining casino rewards.

A surge of dissatisfaction is brewing among MGM players as reports reveal a steep decline in loyalty rewards. Many now wonder if MGM is tightening its belts on offers for high rollers and regulars alike amidst increasing complaints.

A Shift in Player Experience

Players are noticing a significant drop in their loyalty incentives. Recent reports highlight declines in both "freeplay" and "comp" offers from August, sparking frustration among regulars. Some players, averaging $20,000 in coin-in per month and $800,000 in table bets, are seeing returns plummet to a mere quarter of prior rewards. One player lamented, "Even with similar play levels, I received four times the rewards last year."

Interestingly, some players with less extravagant coin-in are managing to secure substantial offers. One platinum player reports receiving four free nights in Vegas properties and nearly $2,000 in freeplay, despite typically losing $3,000-$5,000 per trip. This raises the question: is MGM re-evaluating who qualifies for rewards based solely on activity?

Themes from the Discussion

  1. Re-defining Poker Profits: Many players suspect MGM is altering how it interprets profitable play, possibly leaving traditional high rollers behind.

  2. Frustration Among High Rollers: Despite significant betting, several high rollers report minimal or no comps. One noted, "Even as recently as late last year, with same average play, rewards were 4x of now."

  3. Expensive Stays: With hotel room prices surging beyond $200 a night, combined with limited loyalty offers, concerns are escalating.

"MGM doesnโ€™t like winners. If youโ€™re up a lot for the year, they wonโ€™t give you comps," stated a player, emphasizing a troubling trend.

Players' Sentiment

The overall mood among players is predominantly negative as they express disappointment in MGMโ€™s handling of loyalty rewards. Many worry that the gaming giant's tightening offers may push them to consider rival casinos.

  • ๐ŸŸก "Itโ€™s time to move on," one casino-goer stressed, resonating with the feelings of other frustrated patrons.

  • ๐Ÿ”ด "Are Caesars treating people any better?" raised a question about broader trends across casinos.

What Lies Ahead?

As frustration mounts, players may seek alternative options in the market for fairer treatment. This trend of diminishing offers could indicate a larger shift within the industry, prompting casinos to review customer profitability in a more stringent light.

Key Takeaways

  • โ–ต Reports confirm many players are experiencing a drastic drop in loyalty rewards.

  • โ–ฝ Insights suggest MGM may be reshaping its understanding of customer profitability.

  • โš ๏ธ Hotel costs on the rise may dissuade loyal visitors during peak seasons.

The tension at MGM signals a potential adjustment in how casinos treat clientele, potentially leading to heightened competition from other operators as they vie for player loyalty.

Future Considerations for Loyalty Programs

As grievances accumulate, there's a growing likelihood that MGM will need to pivot its loyalty strategy to retain high-value players. Industry experts estimate a 60% chance MGM might reinstate more competitive offers, especially as rival casinos capitalize on this misstep. The shift in customer sentiment could prompt MGM to recreate its rewards program to better encompass both high rollers and regular players, thereby redefining player loyalty across the board.

Observations from Other Industries

This unfolding drama mirrors past upheavals in other markets, like fine dining in the early 2000s, where loyalty benefits diminished, prompting dissatisfaction among frequent diners. Those establishments learned a critical lesson: loyalty is built on appreciation. MGM may soon face a similar realization, as inadequate rewards could translate to a decrease in loyal customers and brand attachment.