How Alberta Bettors Can Turn Online Casino Play Into Vegas Hotel Rewards

^{Bettors in Alberta can use reward points and credits for a Vegas vacation at one of these BetMGM casinos. (Photo: David Vives / Pexels)} 

When the regulated iGaming market in Alberta launches on July 13, players will have access to BetMGM Rewards and Caesars Rewards, which can lead to complimentary hotel rooms and other rewards at Las Vegas casinos as part of their loyalty programs. There are plenty of online casino options, but these two have the most hotel rooms on the Las Vegas Strip, where the majority of visitors stay.

BetMGM Rewards Las Vegas casinos: Aria, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Park MGM

Caesars Rewards Las Vegas casinos: Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Harrah's, Horseshoe, The Linq, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, Vanderpump Hotel (formerly The Cromwell)

Each program offers different perks for tier status. Every dollar spent in each app will add Tier Points and Reward Credits to your account. As players get Tier Points, they unlock benefits such as waived fees and priority access at casinos. Reward Credits can be redeemed towards meals, drinks, shopping, and more at participating properties.

When a player signs up for a BetMGM account, they are automatically enrolled in both BetMGM Rewards and MGM Rewards. BetMGM Rewards points are used online, while MGM Rewards points and credits apply at Las Vegas casinos.

When a player signs up for a Caesars online account, they're automatically enrolled in Caesars Rewards. If a player already has an account, they can link it online.

Receiving BetMGM and MGM Rewards Points and Credits

All players receive BetMGM Rewards points when placing a wager on sports or in a casino. Those points can be work in two ways. First, BetMGM offers rewards specifically for the online casino. Second, players who want to use the land-based MGM Rewards in Las Vegas casinos must transfer points to that account.

The transfer process is simple:

• Select My Rewards (or BetMGM Rewards) under your account details.
• Tap on the Rewards Store.
• Select the MGM Resorts tab displayed at the top.
• Choose the denomination you want to redeem and click Redeem

Important note for anyone planning a trip to Las Vegas: The transfer process takes 2-3 days.

BetMGM players receive rewards differently for sports, casino, and poker bets. Here's a breakdown for every $100 wagered:

Sports Wagers

• Straight Bets: Receive at least 20 Points (may earn more for long-shot underdogs).
• Parlay Bets: Receive at least 50 Points (increases with more legs and longer odds).
• BetMGM Reward points are forfeited if a player cashes out early on a wager.

Casino Bets

• Slots & Instant Win games: Receive up to 20 Points 
• Progressive Jackpot Slots: Receive up to 10 Points 
• Live Table Games (Blackjack, etc) & Video Poker: Receive up to 4 Points 

Online poker players receive up to 500 points for every $100 in rake or tournament entry fees paid.

Converting BetMGM Points to MGM Rewards

The conversion rate to MGM Rewards is 1:1.25. For example, a player will cash out exactly 12,500 BetMGM Rewards Points in the app store to receive a $100 MGM Rewards voucher. If this were a 1:1 transaction, a player would have transferred 10,000 points for $100.

MGM Rewards tier credits are also added at different rates for BetMGM wagers. However, they retain the same value when a player visits a casino.

Earning Caesars Rewards Points and Credits

The Caesars Rewards points and credits system is simpler than BetMGM's, since it's all one program. Tier Points and Reward Credits are added at the same rate and are immediately available in the account as wagers are made.

Here's a breakdown of Caesars Rewards points earned for every $100 wagered:

Sports Wagers

• Straight Bets: Receive up to 10 Credits
• Traditional Parlays: Receive up to 30 Credits
• Same-Game Parlays: Receive up to 50 Credits

Casino Bets

• Regular Slots: Receive 20 Credits
• Video Poker: Receive a flat 10 Credits
• Table Games (Blackjack/Roulette): Receive a flat 4 Credits

Poker players receive one tier credit and one reward credit per $1 paid in rake.

Don't Forget Expiration Dates

Reward points don't last forever online or in casinos. 

Caesars Rewards points expire after six months of inactivity. BetMGM Rewards points expire after 90 days of inactivity for Sapphire MGM Rewards members and 180 days for upper tiers. MGM Rewards points are separate and expire after six months of property inactivity for Sapphire members; upper tiers don't expire.

Tier Points reset to zero on Jan. 1 every year. A player who reaches a higher tier status only keeps it for that calendar year. Both programs restart Tier Status tracking at the beginning of each year.

Using MGM Rewards and Caesars Rewards Points

BetMGM Rewards points can be used online in Alberta, so players can start building their account balance at home and put those points toward benefits when they arrive in Las Vegas.

Tier status earned from online play at either casino can help reduce resort fees when booking rooms, saving $35 to $55 per night, depending on the hotel. 

Casinos operate VIP schemes that offer players more entertainment value at higher tiers, though reaching those tiers should never be the reason to wager beyond your normal budget.

MGM Rewards and Caesars Rewards points and offers can be redeemed to book hotel rooms online from anywhere, or in person in Las Vegas for meals, shopping, free play, and more.