What are comp points in a casino?

Comp points are loyalty rewards that casinos give players based on how much they wager. You earn a set number of points per dollar bet, then redeem those points for free play, meals, hotel stays, or other perks. The return rate is typically between 0.05% and 0.5% of total wagers — meaning you'd need to bet $1,000 to earn roughly $0.50 to $5.00 in comp value.

Are comp points worth it?

Comp points have real value if you're already planning to gamble, but they return only a tiny fraction of what you wager — usually less than 0.5%. They are not a meaningful offset to the house edge, which typically runs 1%–15% depending on the game. Changing your gambling behavior (betting more or longer) just to earn points will almost always cost you more than the points are worth.

How do you earn comp points at a casino?

You earn comp points by playing at a casino while enrolled in their loyalty or rewards program. You typically swipe a player's card at slot machines or have your play tracked at table games. Points accumulate based on how much you wager. The earning rate varies by casino and game — slots often earn more points per dollar than table games.

How do you redeem comp points?

Comp points are usually redeemed through the casino's rewards desk, app, or loyalty account portal. Depending on the program, points can be exchanged for free-play credits, food and beverage vouchers, hotel stays, merchandise, or event tickets. Redemption rates vary — a common structure is 100 points = $1, though this differs by casino.

Do online casinos offer comp points?

Yes, many online casinos offer comp points or loyalty programs that work similarly to land-based programs. Players earn points based on real-money wagers, which can be converted to bonus credits or cash. Return rates and redemption terms vary widely, so it's important to read the program's terms carefully, including any wagering requirements attached to redeemed rewards.

Comp Points: What They Are and What They're Really Worth

What Are Comp Points?

Comp points — short for *complimentary points* — are rewards issued by casinos, both land-based and online, to players based on the amount of money they wager. Think of them like a grocery store loyalty program: the more you spend, the more points you collect, which can eventually be exchanged for something of value. The key word there is *eventually* — and at a rate that heavily favors the casino.

Almost every major casino runs some version of a player rewards program (also called a loyalty program or VIP program) built around comp points. You typically earn a set number of points per dollar wagered, then redeem those points for things like free-play credits, meals, hotel rooms, show tickets, or merchandise.

How Comp Points Actually Work

The earning and redemption structure varies by casino, but a common setup looks like this: a player earns 1 point for every $10 wagered, and 100 points can be redeemed for $1 in free play.

Do the math: to earn $1 in comps, a player has to wager $1,000. That's a comp return rate of 0.1%. Some casinos are more generous — rates typically range from 0.05% to 0.5% of total wagers returned as comp value.

Meanwhile, the house edge on most casino games runs between 1% and 15%. So while you might earn back a fraction of a percent in comp points, the casino is keeping a much larger percentage of every dollar you bet. Comps are real — they just don't come close to offsetting the cost of earning them.

Not All Games Earn Points Equally

Casinos don't award comp points uniformly across all games. Table games like blackjack often earn fewer points per dollar wagered than slot machines, because slot players tend to bet faster and generate more revenue per hour for the casino. Some games — like video poker with high return-to-player (RTP) rates — may be excluded from earning points altogether, or earn at a reduced rate.

Always check the points multiplier for your preferred game before assuming you're earning at the standard rate.

A Concrete Example

Imagine a player who sits down at a slot machine and plays for two hours, betting $3 per spin at 500 spins per hour. That's $3,000 in total wagers over the session.

At a comp rate of 1 point per $10 wagered, they'd earn 300 points. If 100 points = $1, they've accumulated $3 in comp value. The slot machine they're playing has a house edge of 6%, meaning the casino's expected take from that $3,000 in wagers is around $180. The player got $3 back in points. That's a 1.7% return on what the house kept — or about 0.1% of what was wagered.

The comps are real. But they're not a rebate. They're a small gesture that costs the casino very little while encouraging players to keep playing.

Why Comp Points Matter to Players

Comp points aren't worthless — if you're going to gamble anyway, earning something back is better than earning nothing. The danger is when players change their gambling behavior to chase comp status. Betting more, playing longer, or choosing a worse game just to rack up points is a losing strategy. You'll spend far more chasing the points than the points will ever return.

High-tier VIP rewards like free hotel nights or event tickets can have genuine value, but they're offered to the casino's highest-volume players — people who have already wagered enormous sums to reach that tier.

Responsible Gambling Reminder

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, free, confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.