How it works
Your VIP progress rises with wagering. When you cross a threshold, you move up a tier, and that can come with a level-up reward. Check Stake's VIP page for whether your next tier pays one, how much, and whether it's a one-off.
Your VIP page should show your current tier and your progress toward the next one. We don't copy the tier names, thresholds or reward sizes here because they can change and may differ between accounts.
What to check on the VIP page
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Your current tier | Where you are now |
| Next tier and its threshold | How much more wagering it needs |
| Level-up reward | What the next tier pays, if shown |
| Any wagering on the reward | Changes what it's worth |
| Other perks of the tier | Rakeback share, reloads, host |
The cost of getting there
Every bet that moves your progress bar carries the house edge. So the real price of a tier is the expected loss on the wagering it needs. Here's an invented example to show the method.
Worked example (invented numbers)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Wagering still needed for next tier | 10,000 |
| Average house edge of your games | 2% |
| Expected cost of that wagering | 200 |
| Level-up reward | 50 |
| Rakeback earned along the way (example) | 10 |
| Expected net cost of reaching the tier | 140 |
The numbers aren't Stake's, but the shape is common: a level-up reward softens the cost of the play needed to reach it, and doesn't cover it. That's by design. Loyalty rewards are paid for by the edge.
If you'd reach it anyway
If your normal play, at stakes you planned in advance, would take you to the next tier, the reward is a pleasant extra. The question to ask is simple: would I place these bets if the progress bar wasn't there? If the answer is no, the bar is steering you.
Wagering on rewards
Some casinos attach wagering to level-up rewards and some pay them as cash. Read the terms shown with the reward in your account. If there's wagering, our bonus page shows how to work out its cost.
Handle tier progress sensibly
- Set a deposit limit before you look at VIP progress at all.
- Check the next tier and its reward on the VIP page.
- Ask whether your planned play would reach it.
- If not, ignore the bar.
- If yes, claim the reward and read any terms.
Tiers and other perks
Higher tiers can also change your rakeback share, open reloads, and bring a VIP host. Each of those is a small rebate on play. None changes the odds on any game. Our VIP Club guide explains hosts, and the rewards guide compares the recurring perks.
Warning signs
A progress bar is built to make "almost there" feel urgent. If you find yourself depositing to finish a tier, or checking progress more than you play, take a break. Stake's break-in-play and deposit limits help; see responsible gambling.
Pros and cons
Level-up bonus: the trade-off
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A one-off reward for play you'd do anyway | Reaching a tier takes heavy wagering |
| Higher tiers can improve other perks | Progress bars encourage chasing |
| Easy to check on your VIP page | Rewards and thresholds can change |
Myths
- "The reward pays for the play it took." Usually it covers only part of the expected cost.
- "Higher tiers have better odds." Odds are the same at every tier.
- "I'll lose progress if I stop." Check Stake's VIP terms for how levels are kept. Even if progress slows, stopping costs nothing.
Two players, same tier
Picture two players reaching the same tier in the same month, with invented details. The first plays a few evenings a week at a fixed stake and reaches the tier without noticing. The reward is a small, pleasant surprise. The second sees they're close, deposits twice more than planned, and raises their bet to get there before the weekend. Both get the same reward. The second paid far more in expected losses for it, and is more likely to keep chasing the tier after that. The reward is identical. What it cost each of them is not.
Questions to ask yourself
Would I still play this week if there were no progress bar? Am I depositing more than I planned to reach a tier? Have I set a deposit limit? If any answer worries you, take a break.
A note on dates
Checked against Stake's own pages on 13 October 2026. Tier names, thresholds and rewards can change, so trust your VIP page over this one. VIP play is for adults: 18+, or the higher legal age where you live. Stake.com isn't available in the US, the UK, Australia, Ontario or the other places on Stake's prohibited list, and that list can change. If a progress bar is pulling at you, set a limit first.
FAQ
How much wagering is a tier?
Stake sets the thresholds. Your VIP page shows the next one and your progress.
How much is the level-up reward?
It depends on the tier and your account. The VIP page or reward terms show it.
Do tiers reset?
Check Stake's VIP terms for how levels are kept over time.
Is the reward automatic?
Check your VIP area. Some rewards are credited for you and some need a claim.
Does a level-up reward carry wagering?
Read the terms shown with it. Some rewards have conditions.