Las Vegas has plenty of ways to take your money. So when somebody tells you that you can earn free meals, entertainment, and even hotel rooms by playing casino games on your phone, it’s reasonable to be a little suspicious.
But that’s exactly what myVEGAS Rewards offers. I’ve been using these games for years, collecting rewards for buffets, restaurants, attractions, and even casino free play. I’ve actually used most of them, and I’ve never spent a single dollar buying virtual chips.
As I’m writing this, I’ve got 1,814,075 Loyalty Points sitting in my account and 30 rewards in my wallet history. And here’s the funny part: I don’t even play these games most of the year.
That’s because myVEGAS is part of what I call my Vegas comp-counting kit. Along with MGM Rewards and the Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book, it’s another way I squeeze as much value as possible out of every trip. I’m not trying to vacation in Las Vegas for absolutely nothing. I’m just trying to avoid paying for things I can get for free or at a discount.
Which, considering how much time I spend at blackjack tables, is probably a good idea.
Here’s how myVEGAS works, how I collect my points, which rewards have actually been worth using, and a few catches you should know about before planning your next trip.
Table of Contents
- What Is myVEGAS Rewards?
- How Does myVEGAS Work?
- Which myVEGAS Games Do I Play?
- My Personal myVEGAS Strategy
- Why I Use Facebook to Log In
- The Rewards I’ve Collected Over the Years
- My Favorite Reward: Excalibur’s BOGO Buffet
- The $100 Luxor Free-Play Catch
- My Vegas Comp-Counting Strategy
- Can You Really Get Free Hotel Rooms?
- What About Cruise Rewards?
- Important Rules and Restrictions
- Is myVEGAS Actually Worth Playing?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is myVEGAS Rewards?
myVEGAS is a collection of free-to-play casino games developed by PLAYSTUDIOS, the company behind the myVIP rewards program. PLAYSTUDIOS partners with MGM Resorts and other businesses to offer real-world rewards in exchange for points earned through participating games.
The games are pretty much what you’d expect. Slots, blackjack, and other casino-style games where you wager virtual chips instead of actual money. You can’t cash out your virtual winnings, and hitting a million-credit jackpot on your phone isn’t going to pay your mortgage. But while you’re playing, you can accumulate something called Loyalty Points, or LPs.
These points can be exchanged for actual rewards at participating hotels, restaurants, casinos, and attractions. Depending on what’s available, those rewards can include complimentary or discounted hotel rooms, buy-one-get-one buffets, restaurant credits, casino free play, attraction tickets, and entertainment discounts.
And yes, you can earn these points without spending any real money. The games will certainly try to sell you virtual chips. They’ve been trying to sell them to me for years. So far, we haven’t reached an agreement.
How Does myVEGAS Work?
The basic concept is pretty simple. You download one of the participating games, create or connect your account, play the games, and collect Loyalty Points. Those points are associated with your account across participating games through PLAYSTUDIOS’ myVIP rewards system.
Once you’ve accumulated enough points, you can browse the rewards catalog and exchange them for offers you actually want to use. Each reward has its own redemption instructions, so claiming something in the app is only part of the process.
One important thing to understand is that virtual chips and Loyalty Points are completely different. Virtual chips are what you wager inside the games. They don’t have any cash value. Loyalty Points are the rewards currency you accumulate and eventually exchange for perks. You’re not gambling your Loyalty Points every time you spin the reels.
And don’t confuse myVEGAS Loyalty Points with MGM Rewards Tier Credits. They’re two different programs with different rules and benefits. Personally, I use them together as part of my overall Vegas planning strategy.
Which myVEGAS Games Do I Play?
There are several games connected to PLAYSTUDIOS’ rewards program, but I primarily rotate through four: myVEGAS Slots, myVEGAS Blackjack, MGM Slots Live, and POP! Slots. Each game offers a slightly different experience, but my reason for playing them is pretty much the same. I want to accumulate Loyalty Points without spending any real money.
Other participating games include myKONAMI Slots and myVEGAS Bingo. You don’t necessarily have to play every game available, and the list of participating titles can change. I’ve just developed a routine using those four apps that works for me.
I’ve also got other casino games on my iPhone, including Wynn Slots, but not everything in my Casino Games folder is connected to the myVIP rewards system. I keep them together because they’re casino games, not because they all contribute to the same Loyalty Points balance.
And no, I’m not sitting around for three hours playing fake slot machines. I’ve got actual casinos to lose money in.
My Personal myVEGAS Strategy: A Few Minutes Every Morning
Here’s where my strategy is probably a little different from somebody who plays these games regularly. I only start playing about two months before a Las Vegas trip. The rest of the year, I barely think about them. Once we’ve got a vacation coming up, I start opening the games every morning and getting back into my routine.
It’s nothing complicated, and I’m not claiming I’ve discovered some secret way to beat the system. I’ve just found that a little consistency before a trip gives me plenty of opportunities to collect points without turning a mobile game into a second job.
Step 1: Collect the Daily Freebies
Every morning, I open my first game and collect whatever free chips, daily bonuses, or spins are available. I don’t buy anything. I’m just taking whatever the game is giving me. Some of these apps have daily bonuses, while others offer additional opportunities to collect virtual chips throughout the day.
I’m not concerned about collecting every possible bonus. I just grab what’s available when I open the app and move on with my routine.
Step 2: Make a Few Big Spins
After collecting the free chips, I make a few relatively high wagers using the virtual money I’ve accumulated. I’m not trying to win some massive fake jackpot or become the richest virtual gambler in Las Vegas. I just want to get some gameplay in and collect whatever Loyalty Points I’m eligible to earn.
For the record, larger spins don’t necessarily mean more Loyalty Points. The earning mechanics vary between games and platforms, and PLAYSTUDIOS can change them. Making a few big spins is simply how I’ve always played, not a guaranteed method for earning points faster.
Step 3: Close the App and Move On
After a few spins, I close the game and open the next one. Then I repeat the process through myVEGAS Slots, myVEGAS Blackjack, MGM Slots Live, and POP! Slots. Collect the freebies, play for a bit, and move on. That’s pretty much the entire routine.
Some games have Loyalty Point earning limits, and those limits can sometimes be affected by activity across participating games. Playing continuously doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll keep earning points. That’s another reason I don’t see much value in spending hours staring at the screen.
Step 4: Repeat Until Vegas
I do this every morning for the couple of months leading up to our vacation. As the trip gets closer, I start looking through the rewards catalog to see what’s available and which offers might actually fit our plans. Once I’ve picked out the rewards I want, I’ve pretty much accomplished what I started playing for.
After the trip, I generally stop playing until the next vacation starts getting close. I’ve been doing this for years, never purchased virtual chips, and built a substantial Loyalty Points balance while redeeming rewards along the way.
Not bad for messing around on my phone in the morning.
Why I Use Facebook to Log Into myVEGAS
Here’s something interesting I’ve noticed over the years. I’ve only ever played myVEGAS through the apps on my iPhone. I’ve never used an Android phone or played the games through Facebook on a computer. But I normally sign into the apps using my Facebook account.
At one point, I experimented with creating a separate account using another login method, and the difference was noticeable. For whatever reason, I seemed to accumulate Loyalty Points significantly slower on that account. Eventually, I signed back into my original Facebook-linked account, and everything seemed to return to normal.
Now, I’m not going to tell you that logging in through Facebook automatically earns everybody more Loyalty Points. I have no way of proving that. The difference could have had something to do with my original account’s history, progression, or the way the rewards system was treating each account. PLAYSTUDIOS also offers different myVIP benefits based on account tier.
But in my personal experience, my established Facebook-linked account has worked considerably better. So that’s the account I continue to use.
I also learned something important after experimenting with that second account. PLAYSTUDIOS prohibits creating multiple accounts or identities to get around its rewards restrictions. Your identity can be checked during redemption, so don’t try creating a bunch of separate accounts to collect extra points.
Stick with one legitimate account, connect your games properly, and make sure your redemption information matches your identification. It’s probably easier than explaining to somebody at an MGM Rewards desk why you’ve apparently become five different people.
The myVEGAS Rewards I’ve Collected Over the Years
One reason I wanted to revisit this article is that I’ve actually been using myVEGAS for years. I’m not just repeating a list of hypothetical rewards from the app’s website. My account currently shows 30 rewards in my wallet history, and I’ve used most of them during our Vegas trips.
I’ve collected dining rewards like two-for-one brunch buffets at Excalibur, Bellagio, MGM Grand, and Luxor. I’ve also picked up restaurant offers including a $25 TAP Sports Bar credit at Excalibur, a $20 Moneyline credit at ARIA, BOGO gelato at Bellagio, and appetizer offers at MGM Detroit.
Beyond food, I’ve collected offers for the New York-New York roller coaster, the Neon Museum, Madame Tussauds, the Las Vegas Monorail, Tournament of Kings, and Play Playground. My wallet history also includes promotional giveaway entries and a $100 Luxor casino free-play offer.
Not every one of those rewards was redeemed during a trip. Some sounded good when I selected them, but we never made it to the property. Others turned out to have restrictions that didn’t work with our plans.
That’s something I’ve learned from experience. Just because a reward is available doesn’t mean it’s worth claiming. And collecting a coupon you never use doesn’t actually save you anything.
My Favorite myVEGAS Reward? The Excalibur BOGO Buffet
Of all the myVEGAS rewards I’ve collected, I honestly think the best value has been the two-for-one brunch buffet at Excalibur. Yes, Excalibur. Not Bellagio. Not some fancy restaurant overlooking the Strip. Excalibur.
I’ve collected buffet rewards for Bellagio and Luxor, but we never ended up making it over to use them. The Excalibur reward, on the other hand, turned out to be genuinely useful. Nikki and I can sit down for breakfast or brunch, get two meals for the price of one, and save some actual money without having to go out of our way.
And when you’re in Vegas for six nights, those little expenses add up. Breakfast here, lunch there, a few drinks, and a late-night snack because apparently we haven’t eaten enough already. Before you know it, you’ve spent a decent chunk of your bankroll without ever sitting down at a casino game.
So if I can knock the price of breakfast in half by using points I collected for free, I’m going to do it. I’m not particularly concerned about whether the buffet is impressive enough to post on Instagram. I’m more concerned about how much money I still have when I get to the blackjack table.
Of course, buffet rewards and restaurant availability change, so don’t assume the same offer will always be available. I’m talking about rewards I’ve personally collected and used, not promising a standing Excalibur buffet deal.
The $100 Luxor Free-Play Reward I Couldn’t Use
This is a perfect example of why you need to read the fine print before spending your Loyalty Points. At one point, I collected a reward offering $100 in casino free play at Luxor. A hundred dollars in free play just for messing around with casino games on my phone? Sounds pretty good.
Unfortunately, when I looked into using the reward, I discovered there was a catch. It required a qualifying paid hotel stay. And I was staying at Luxor on a comped room, so I couldn’t use it.
Apparently, the free room I already had disqualified me from getting the free play I wanted. Different kinds of free, I guess.
I’ve stayed at Luxor plenty of times, and as I explain in my Luxor Las Vegas review, it’s a property I’m pretty familiar with. But even being familiar with a casino doesn’t mean every promotion will work with the hotel offers you’re already receiving.
That’s not to say every myVEGAS free-play offer has the same restrictions. Some have different minimum-stay requirements or other conditions, and those can change. But this one taught me an important lesson: always read the exact redemption requirements before claiming a reward.
I’m definitely not paying for a hotel room just to qualify for $100 in free play when I’ve already got a comped room available. I’m bad at math sometimes, but not that bad.
How myVEGAS Fits Into My Vegas Comp-Counting Strategy
This is probably the biggest reason I still bother with myVEGAS after all these years. I don’t look at it as a magical way to score an entire vacation for free. It’s one piece of what I call my Vegas comp-counting kit. And that kit has three main parts: MGM Rewards, myVEGAS Rewards, and the Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book.
I’ve always believed that if you’re already planning to spend money in Las Vegas, you might as well take advantage of every legitimate benefit available. That doesn’t mean chasing comps or spending more money just to qualify for something free. It means making better use of the offers you’ve already earned.
1. MGM Rewards: Getting the Hotel Room Handled
Through my regular casino play and MGM Rewards membership, I’ve been able to get complimentary hotel offers at several MGM properties. That’s usually the first thing I look at when planning a trip. If I can book several nights without paying the regular room rate, that’s a pretty substantial benefit before the vacation even starts.
As an MGM Rewards Pearl member, I also qualify for waived resort fees on eligible stays, which is another expense I don’t have to worry about. MGM explains its different membership levels and benefits through the official MGM Rewards program.
Of course, casino comps aren’t truly free in the grand scheme of things. They’re based on the value casinos place on your gaming activity. I explain more about that in my article on how casinos decide what you’re worth, including theoretical loss and average daily theoretical.
But I’m going to gamble when I’m in Vegas anyway, so I might as well get something back for it. I’ve even had some pretty ridiculous experiences with casino comps closer to home, including the situation behind my casino comps and free tampons story. Apparently, loyalty programs can lead to some interesting rewards.
2. myVEGAS: Food, Attractions, and Other Perks
Once I’ve got the hotel figured out, myVEGAS becomes another opportunity to save. That’s why I concentrate more on dining and entertainment offers than complimentary room rewards. I already have hotel offers through MGM Rewards, so what I’m looking for from myVEGAS is something that reduces the cost of an activity we’re already planning to enjoy.
A two-for-one buffet, discounted attraction, or restaurant credit might not sound particularly exciting on its own. But if it’s something Nikki and I were going to pay for anyway, the discount is worth having. Before each trip, I go through the rewards catalog and pick out the offers that make sense for our plans.
I don’t just grab every reward because it says free. I’ve learned that lesson.
3. The Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book
The third part of my comp-counting kit is the Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book. I get the book every year and use it to find additional casino, dining, and entertainment offers. If you’re unfamiliar with it, I’ve already written a complete guide explaining whether the Las Vegas Advisor coupon book is worth buying and how I use it.
Before every Vegas trip, I look through the book for a good dinner coupon. Once I find something that sounds worthwhile, I choose a restaurant and make a reservation. That gives Nikki and me at least one nice dinner already planned, usually with a discount attached.
Then we leave most of the remaining coupons open. We generally dedicate a day to Downtown Las Vegas, wandering between casinos and cashing in as many worthwhile offers as we can. It’s become part of our usual Vegas routine. Walk into a casino, look around, maybe play a little, redeem a coupon if we’ve got one, and move on to the next place.
It’s also part of what makes Vegas enjoyable for us in the first place. Everybody has their own routines, favorite properties, and little traditions. I talked about that in my Find Your Vegas article, because sometimes the best part of a trip is simply doing the things that make Vegas feel like Vegas to you.
I’m not saying we plan our entire day around coupons. But if we’re already walking past a casino and I’ve got an offer worth using, why wouldn’t I?
We’re already here.
The Real Value Comes From Combining Everything
Individually, none of these programs is going to change your life. A discounted buffet isn’t going to make you rich, and neither is a $20 restaurant credit. But when you combine complimentary rooms, waived resort fees, discounted meals, and entertainment offers over a six-night Vegas trip, the savings can start adding up.
That’s the whole point of my comp-counting strategy. I’m not trying to see how cheaply I can survive in Las Vegas. I still want to enjoy good restaurants, see shows, have drinks, and spend plenty of time gambling. I just don’t see the point in paying full price for everything when I’ve already got opportunities to save.
That money stays in the bankroll. Which probably means I’ll eventually hand it to a blackjack dealer anyway. But at least I didn’t spend it all on breakfast.
Can You Really Get Free Hotel Rooms With myVEGAS?
Yes. Complimentary hotel room rewards have been one of the major attractions of the myVEGAS program for years. Depending on availability, eligible players may find complimentary or discounted room offers at participating MGM properties, including hotels such as Luxor, Excalibur, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, and New York-New York.
However, just because you see an offer doesn’t mean you can book any date you want. Complimentary room rewards can have blackout dates, restrictions on eligible nights, and limits on how frequently they can be redeemed. You also need to check whether resort fees, taxes, and other charges are included.
I’ve personally never used myVEGAS points for a hotel room. That’s not because I don’t trust the offers. It’s simply because I’m usually getting my rooms through MGM Rewards already. For somebody who doesn’t receive regular casino hotel comps, though, a complimentary room could be one of the most valuable rewards available.
Just compare the total cost before assuming you’ve found the best deal. A room advertised as complimentary isn’t necessarily the cheapest option once all the fees and restrictions are considered.
What About myVEGAS Cruise Rewards?
One thing that surprises people is that myVEGAS rewards aren’t limited to Las Vegas. The program has also featured cruise offers, including promotions associated with Norwegian Cruise Line. Depending on what’s available, these can include discounted cruises or selected complimentary cabin promotions.
But this is another area where the fine print really matters. A complimentary cruise cabin doesn’t necessarily mean you’re taking a completely free vacation. You may still be responsible for taxes, port fees, gratuities, transportation, and other expenses. There may also be restrictions involving sailing dates, cabin types, or the number of passengers.
I’ve never personally redeemed a cruise reward, so I can’t tell you whether one is a great deal based on firsthand experience. If I ever decide to use one, I’ll compare the full cost of the offer against booking the same cruise normally.
I’ve been going to Vegas long enough to know that the word free tends to come with a few conditions.
Important myVEGAS Rules and Restrictions
Before you start collecting Loyalty Points, it’s worth understanding a few rules that can affect how you earn and redeem rewards. PLAYSTUDIOS controls the games and loyalty program, while individual rewards partners can impose additional conditions.
Don’t Create Multiple Accounts
PLAYSTUDIOS prohibits creating multiple accounts or identities to get around Loyalty Point and reward restrictions. Accounts and rewards are personal to the individual player, and identity verification may be required. Stick with one legitimate account rather than trying to multiply your points through duplicate profiles.
Loyalty Point Earning Has Limits
Some games have earning caps, and the amount of points you can earn may depend on your game, platform, account, or other factors. Playing continuously doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll keep accumulating points, which is another reason I don’t see much value in grinding these games for hours.
Some Rewards Have Additional Restrictions
Certain rewards are classified as premium, and some offers may have restrictions on how many you can redeem during a particular period. Other rewards require specific hotel stays, purchases, dates, or eligibility conditions. Read the individual offer before using your points.
Rewards Can Disappear
Just because a reward appeared last month doesn’t mean it’ll still be available when your vacation arrives. Offers can sell out, change in point cost, or disappear entirely. That’s why I browse the catalog before we leave instead of assuming every reward will always be there.
Your Location Can Affect Eligibility
Some offers have geographic restrictions, including limitations affecting Nevada residents. Reward availability can also differ between accounts. What another player sees in their catalog isn’t necessarily what you’ll have available in yours.
Keep Your Account Active
This one is particularly important if you’re planning to follow my strategy of playing mostly before vacations. PLAYSTUDIOS’ published terms state that an account may be considered inactive after 30 days without use, and the company reserves the right to expire Loyalty Points or unredeemed rewards on inactive accounts.
I’ve personally gone extended periods without playing and maintained my balance, but that doesn’t guarantee everybody will have the same experience. If you’re saving a substantial amount of points, logging in regularly is a sensible precaution.
You can review the official PLAYSTUDIOS Terms of Service for the current account, inactivity, and reward restrictions.
Is myVEGAS Actually Worth Playing?
For me, absolutely. I’ve used myVEGAS for years, accumulated more than 1.8 million Loyalty Points, and collected dozens of rewards without ever spending real money buying virtual chips. And I don’t even dedicate that much time to it.
A couple of months before a trip, I start opening the apps every morning, collecting the free chips, making a few spins, and moving on. As the trip gets closer, I choose the rewards that fit our plans. Then I go back to ignoring the games until the next Vegas vacation starts getting close.
Now, I wouldn’t recommend spending several hours every day playing these games just because you want a free buffet. Your time is worth something, too. And I definitely wouldn’t recommend spending actual money on virtual chips just to chase a reward that might save you $20.
But if you’re already planning a Vegas trip and don’t mind spending a few minutes each morning collecting points, why not? For me, myVEGAS has become another part of my regular Vegas planning routine. MGM Rewards helps with the hotel, the Las Vegas Advisor book helps with dining and downtown offers, and myVEGAS fills in some of the gaps.
It’s not going to pay for my entire vacation, but it doesn’t have to. Every dollar I save on something I was already planning to do is another dollar I’ve got available for something else.
And if you’ve read anything else on Double Down Mac, you probably already know where most of that money is going.
Frequently Asked Questions About myVEGAS Rewards
Is myVEGAS really free?
Yes. The participating games are free to download and play, although optional in-app purchases are available. I’ve personally earned and redeemed rewards for years without purchasing virtual chips.
How do you earn myVEGAS Loyalty Points?
You earn Loyalty Points through eligible gameplay and other activities within participating PLAYSTUDIOS games. Earning methods, rates, and limits can vary between games and platforms.
Can you earn points using multiple myVEGAS apps?
Yes. Participating games can contribute to a shared Loyalty Points balance when connected to the same account. However, earning caps and other restrictions may apply across games.
Does Facebook login give you more Loyalty Points?
Not necessarily. In my personal experience, my established Facebook-linked account accumulated points significantly faster than a separate account I experimented with. That doesn’t prove Facebook login itself increases the earning rate, and other account differences could explain what I experienced.
Can you have multiple myVEGAS accounts?
PLAYSTUDIOS prohibits creating multiple accounts or identities to bypass Loyalty Point or reward restrictions. Players should maintain one legitimate account and follow the program’s terms.
Can you use myVEGAS free play with a comped hotel room?
It depends on the reward. I personally collected a $100 Luxor free-play offer that required a qualifying paid hotel stay, making it unusable during my comped stay. Other free-play offers may have different requirements.
Can you actually get free Las Vegas hotel rooms?
Yes. Complimentary room offers may be available at participating properties. However, blackout dates, availability restrictions, resort fees, and other conditions may apply. I’ve never personally used myVEGAS points for a room because I usually receive hotel offers through MGM Rewards.
Do myVEGAS Loyalty Points expire?
They can. PLAYSTUDIOS reserves the right to expire Loyalty Points on accounts deemed inactive under its terms. An account may be considered inactive after 30 days without use, so regularly checking your account is worthwhile if you’re saving a large balance.
What is the best myVEGAS reward?
That depends on what you’d otherwise pay for. Complimentary rooms might provide the best value for some travelers. Personally, I’ve gotten the most practical value from the Excalibur BOGO brunch buffet because it’s something Nikki and I can actually use during our trips.
Is myVEGAS worth playing if you already get MGM casino comps?
I think so. I already receive hotel offers through MGM Rewards, so I focus my myVEGAS points on discounted dining, entertainment, and attractions. It’s another tool in my comp-counting kit rather than a replacement for my regular casino rewards.
Do you need to spend real money to earn myVEGAS rewards?
No. Optional purchases are available, but they’re not required to participate in the rewards program. I’ve never purchased virtual chips and have accumulated more than 1.8 million Loyalty Points over the years.
Editor’s note: myVEGAS and myVIP reward availability, program rules, and redemption requirements can change. The rewards discussed in this article include offers from my personal history and are not a guarantee of current availability. Always review the terms of a reward before spending your Loyalty Points.
