Online casino Virgin Poker is launching a reward scheme which allows players to earn Virgin Atlantic air miles every time they play. The scheme, launched this month, will allow players to collect “V-points”, which have a cash value of one pence per point. The points will be earned at a standard rate of four per cent of rake, which Virgin claims is more generous than most current high street loyalty schemes, including Nectar and rivals leading loyalty programmes such as Boots.

The “V-points” are one of a number of ways that Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Miles can be collected, and can also be combined with Flying Club Miles earned through all the various Virgin Group companies and other partners such as Eurostar and Cunard.

Virgin said that as a result of the scheme, a middle ranking player playing for ten hours a week on the £4 / £8 tables could realistically expect to earn enough V-points for a return flight to Las Vegas, New York or LA every six months.

Simon Burridge, CEO Virgin Games, said: “The average player would typically have to put in years of grinding to actually see any tangible benefits from other poker loyalty schemes. With V-points, everyday players can easily accumulate points for Virgin Vouchers or save up their Flying Club miles for a holiday.”

Launched in November last year, Virgin Poker currently sponsors leading UK poker players Julian Gardner and David Pomroy. The pair will represent the Virgin brand at various European and World Poker Tour events around the world in 2006 and will also play on the Virgin Poker site, playing under the names ‘Virgin Ace’ and ‘Dpommo’ respectively.