Luxurious homes and cars, resort trips, jewelry and designer watches – today’s iGaming world is full of ads depicting people bathed in luxury. This image is associated with high rollers – players who can spend incredible money in casinos. Once, this term was used exclusively for famous poker players who lost huge amounts of money in gambling entertainment. But who are high rollers really, how profitable are such customers for online casinos and why do they have so many advantages? Let’s find out everything about today’s high rollers in online casinos: what games they play, what operators offer them to encourage high stakes, and whether such play is worth the rewards received for it.
Who is a high roller?
High rollers refer to people who recklessly place large bets in gambling games. Moreover, such behavior was considered the height of irresponsibility and was even censored. Today, high rollers, also called whales, are perceived differently – such a way of playing is considered a sign of wealth and sufficient experience in gambling. However, high rollers are not only those who bet a lot at once but also players who bet medium stakes but play for a long time, increasing their total payout from gambling.
How does a high roller differ from an average player?
High rollers are the elite of the gambling world and are very different from the average player. Here are some of the main signs of a real whale:
- A large sum of several dozen or even several hundred thousand dollars as a starting bankroll.
- Selection of games with high betting limits and high-risk levels.
- Possibility to play for a long time with bets from USD 75-100 and more;
- Raising bets to the maximum limit during the game.
- Use progressive betting strategies and carefully control your bankroll.
- Careful selection of reliable online casinos with a good loyalty program.
As someone about to spend a fairly impressive amount of money, a high roller usually knows exactly what they are doing. Such people only play on legitimate sites that want fair play and safe transactions and can guarantee big wins. Ultimately, a high roller’s main goal is to spend as much money as possible on gambling and maximize their winnings, so the operator should be prepared to pay out a solid jackpot to such a customer.
How to become a high roller?
As you have probably figured out by now, the first thing you need to play high stakes is a big bankroll. However, that is not all you need to start playing high stakes:
- Gain some prior gambling experience to increase your chances of winning. You can do this in a regular low-stakes game without risking a fortune.
- Familiarize yourself with the basics of gambling psychology and mentally prepare yourself for both outcomes of your future gaming session – a huge loss and an incredible win. This will help you avoid later difficulties associated with losing money and a sudden drop in wealth.
- Learn the basics of bankroll management. Just because players place big bets doesn’t mean they don’t think through every move and set initial spending limits for each game.
- Try a few popular betting strategies and choose the best for your favorite game. For example, when playing high-stakes blackjack, it’s best to know the basic strategies and card counting systems, while for roulette, Martingale, D’Alambert, or 1-3-2-6 will work.
The most important thing to realize is that the more you bet, the greater the risk and the more emotional you will feel about the outcome. Keeping your emotions in check is important so the high-stakes game does not end too quickly. Prove yourself to be a sensible and responsible player. You can be sure the online casino will offer you many rewards and privileges unavailable to other players.
Famous high rollers
The best way to get started playing high stakes is to meet real people who have already done it and succeeded. At the very least, they have certainly made history in iGaming, here are 7 famous modern high-stakes players:
- Dana White, owner of the global sporting event UFC, does not miss any opportunity to risk his fortune on gambling. She became famous not so much for her bets and winnings but for $100,000 in tips to blackjack dealers.
- Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. He retired precisely because of his gambling problems. He was a sports star and a high roller, simply because he once lost over $1 million playing golf for money.
- Ben Affleck is a famous actor who was once divorced due to his casino addiction. He is also a successful poker player who won over €300,000 in a tournament with 90 opponents. Incidentally, one was a professional player with a WSOP bracelet, so it is a prestigious win.
- George Clooney is another actor who loves gambling and spends a lot of money on it. Although he has never won a big jackpot in his gambling career, he believes every good game is worth the money.
- Phil Ivey is a professional poker player who prefers to make money on one game of chance rather than spend it on another. His roulette bets can reach as much as $200,000 per round, and he once won about $10 million on baccarat.
- The Sultan of Brunei is a man who can afford to do many things at the expense of his social status and wealth. While he is not known for his big winnings, his habit of leaving around $1 million a day in the casino is worth noting.
- Kerry Packer is another actor, this time from Australia. He loves blackjack and roulette and will spend up to $500,000 on both games in one session. He became famous for a $25 million bet he lost in the blink of an eye.
As you can see, not all high rollers achieve fabulous winnings in this style of play, but that doesn’t stop them from placing large bets – thanks to their experience, they are prepared for large losses and can afford them.
What games do high rollers play?
Today’s whales play almost every gambling game available in online casinos. After all, one of the goals of a high roller is to enjoy their favorite pastime and feel the highest level of adrenaline when placing big bets. Let’s learn the best games that high rollers prefer to play.
Slot machines
Online slots are one of the most popular online casino games, so it’s no wonder that modern high rollers love them too and often spend a lot of money on them. The only downside is that most slots offer a maximum bet of $100 per spin, often the minimum bet for big players. However, some developers create software with higher limits. Here are the 7 best slots for high rollers and their brief specifications:
- Book of Dead – Play’n GO
This evergreen online slot allows players to bet between 0.10 and 100 USD, making it perfect for high rollers. The RTP of this slot is 96.21%, offering huge winning possibilities of up to 5,000 times more than the bet placed by a player. The slot’s volatility is high; it denotes big wins but less frequently. It comes with bonus rounds such as free spins and expanding symbols, which is why high-roller players love it. - Mega Moolah – Microgaming
Known for life-changing progressive jackpots, Mega Moolah has a bet range of 0.25-6.25 USD, though in reality, the actual attraction is the jackpot feature that commonly runs into the millions. Although its RTP is somewhat low at 88.12%, the potentiality of huge wins makes this a high roller’s dream come true. Multi-million jackpots are common, and this slot is iconic among those who shoot big. - Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming)
Bet sizing in this extremely volatile slot ranges from 0.20 to 500 USD per spin for up to 117,649 paylines, courtesy of Megaways. The RTP is 96%, with the maximum payout being 26,000 times your bet. The cascading reels with unlimited multipliers plus free spins create different avenues to achieve massive wins in Bonanza Megaways. - Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt)
This high-variance slot features 96.8% RTP and a bet range of 0.09 to 18 USD, catering for high rollers that look out for huge wins. Dead or Alive 2 enables the player to win more than 100,000 times its stake by using a free spins mode with sticky wilds in the top lists of many high-risk, high-reward players. - Jammin’ Jars (Push Gaming)
Introducing Jammin’ Jars, a popular cascading cluster pays slot whose bets range between 0.20 and 100 USD. Highly volatile, with an RTP of 96.83%, it can potentially pay 20,000 times your stake. With cascading wins, sticky wilds, and bonus rounds in the gameplay, no high roller who likes high-intensity features with big payout opportunities should miss out on trying this slot. - Sugar Rush (Pragmatic Play)
Sugar Rush offers a betting range from 0.20 to 100 USD and an RTP of 96.50%. High rollers enjoy this slot for its vibrant visuals and potential to win up to 5,000 times the stake. The game is packed with bonus rounds, including free spins and multipliers, offering exciting opportunities for big wins. - Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)
Another hit from Pragmatic Play, Sweet Bonanza offers a betting range between 0.20 and 100 USD. With an RTP of 96.51%, this high-volatility slot allows players to win up to 21,175 times their stake. Its free spins feature and tumbling reels make it a favorite among high rollers looking for explosive payouts.
Important note – since the high roller is interested in maximizing their winnings, it is not only the betting limits that should be considered when choosing an online slot. The maximum win the slot can pay out is equally important; the higher the amount, the more profitable the game.
Table games
Online casinos offer a good selection of RNG table games, but the betting limits often do not meet the requirements of high rollers. The minimum bet is often 1-2 USD, the maximum is 100 USD, and whales start with 75-100 USD bets, no less. Nevertheless, tabletop games suit beginners who must practice with medium stakes before entering the big game. Here are popular table games that high rollers often choose in online casinos:
- American Roulette
- Double Ball Roulette
- Baccarat Deluxe
- Blackjack
- Blackjack VIP
- European Roulette
- French Roulette
- Dragon Tiger
- Sic Bo
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em
These classes are a great way to solidify your knowledge of the rules of table games so you can move on to the next type of game with high stakes.
Live games
Table games with professional dealers are the best online casino games for high rollers. They have high betting limits, and some online casinos set the minimum bet higher than in real games, allowing high rollers to play at their level, almost like a VIP room in a land-based casino. This allows high rollers to play with players at their level, similar to a VIP room in a land-based casino. Here are the best casino sites with dedicated sections for high rollers and their betting options:
- Verde Casino: Up to €1200 + 220 free spins
- Ice Casino: Up to €1500 + 270 free spins
- Vulkan Vegas Casino: Up to €1000 + 125 free spins
- King Billy Casino: Up to €2500 +250 free spins
- Lucky Days Casino: Up to $1500 and 100 free spins
- HellSpin Casino: Up to €1200 + 150 free spins
- Guts Casino: Up to €200 + Game of Guts
- National Casino: Up to €1500 and 150 free spins
- TonyBet Casino: Up to €1500 + 170 free spins
- Jackpoty Casino: Up to €3000 + 100 free spins
These online casino games allow high-rollers to reach their full potential, while large betting limits allow for popular progressive betting strategies. Even with a minimum bet of 250 or 500 USD, the upper limit of several dozen thousand USD allows for multiple increases in a row, maximizing winnings when cards are dealt or roulette wheels are spun.
High-roller player privileges in online casinos
It is worth noting that not all online casinos are willing to accept high-roller players. Yes, such a player is profitable because he bets and loses large sums of money. But in the case of a win, the operator’s payment volume is also impressive. So, high-roller casinos are reliable gambling sites with a large turnover of funds and an excellent reputation, and they are ready to encourage players to high rates in every possible way.
Bonuses and promotions for high rollers
Many gambling sites offer great bonuses for high rollers:
- Welcome bonus. This is a unique offer that all new players can take advantage of. The bonus is often awarded for one or more first deposits and includes bonus money and free spins. For example, Playamo Casino offers a great welcome package of 1500 USD. In addition, the player will receive an additional 150 free spins on the best slot machines.
- Regular bonuses. These can be rewards in the form of bonus money and free spins for depositing a gaming account on certain days. All players can receive such bonuses, but their amounts may vary, and for high rollers, the maximum amounts will always be higher. A great example is the Daily Rewards promotion at National Casino. Suppose you wager the deposit amount at least 1 time during the day on which you funded your gaming account the next day. In that case, you will receive a special email with a bonus offer that matches your interests and betting possibilities.
- Cashback offers. This percentage of money can be returned from your total net losses. Vulkan Vegas Casino offers the best version of this promotion for high-stakes players – here, you can get weekly cashback of up to 2,000 USD, which is quite a good result for high-stakes play.
In addition, high rollers often receive special promotions with more loyal wagering conditions and special high-stakes tournaments with huge prize pools reaching into the millions of dollars.
Loyalty programs and VIP levels
Another way to reward high rollers is through loyalty programs. Players can earn points for real money deposits and bets in these programs. The more cash you use to play, the more points you earn at the online casino. The higher the number of points, the higher the VIP level, the higher the bonus amount, and the higher the cashback percentage. Here are three online casinos that offer great VIP programs for high rollers:
- Ice Casino has a loyalty program with 10 levels, the highest of which is VIP Diamond. Players with this status can receive 12% regular cashback, great birthday bonuses, and a 90% reload bonus on their deposits.
- National Casino offers 15 VIP levels. Reaching the highest level will reward you with a one-time bonus of USD 100,000. In addition, this status allows you to exchange all collected points at a rate of 60:1, exchanging loyalty points for real money.
- 20Bet Casino has a 30-level program, where VIP status upgrades allow players to earn free spins on their favorite slots, with the highest level being rewarded with a prize of USD 80.000. VIP players can also receive free chips for table games and participate in exclusive tournaments.
These are not all examples of good loyalty programs designed for high rollers. Almost all reputable online casinos offer their reward system for regular and generous players.
Payment methods and limits
In online casinos, high-roller players can use the same payment methods as regular players. The most popular systems are:
- PayPal,
- Paysafecard,
- Neosurf,
- Skrill,
- Neteller,
- Revolut,
- Jeton,
- Interac,
- Instadebit,
- iDebit,
- MiFinity.
- eZeeWallet,
- Visa,
- MasterCard,
- Bank transfer,
- Cryptocurrency.
No deposit limits exist, so you can deposit as much as you want daily, weekly or monthly. Withdrawal limits may have some restrictions, for example, USD 10,000 per week or USD 50,000 per month. However, if you are a VIP player, the maximum withdrawal amounts may be changed, especially for you.
Customer service
High rollers are really valuable customers for online casinos, so if you’re playing for big money, you can count on solid customer support. Many VIP players are offered a dedicated casino account manager to guide them through every step of the way. Support calls will be handled immediately, and you’ll always have an operator on your side to resolve any issues as quickly and efficiently as possible. Moreover, high-roller withdrawal requests are processed out of turn, so you’ll receive an almost instant payout if you win at an online casino.
Final thoughts
As you have already noticed, being a high roller is cool. Here are the main benefits of playing at high-roller online casinos:
- Maximizing your winnings. If you win at odds of 5,000, then with a stake of USD 200, that’s USD 1,000,000, significantly more than with a stake of USD 20.
- Large deposits allow you to get the maximum bonuses from online casinos, which can amount to several thousand dollars.
- By making many bets, you will quickly advance to the loyalty program, where you can receive great gifts and rewards from the gambling site.
- The high roller is a valued customer, so be prepared for many lucrative offers from the online casino, not just regular promotions.
- Customer service is always top-notch. All your issues will be resolved as quickly as possible, to your benefit.
- High rollers often have high withdrawal limits and transfer requests are prioritized so that you can count on fast and large online casino payouts.
Thanks to all these benefits, big players often find themselves in the black. And although their colossal wins are associated with equally colossal losses, this style of play has advantages. In addition, let us recall that it is not only money that counts – today’s high rollers are also professionals in the field of gambling. It is thanks to experience and the right approach to responsible gambling that such people are not afraid to lose significant amounts – for them, emotions and the pleasure of playing for high stakes are more important.
