Possible end of vip casino programs in the uk
The end of high roller casino players in Britain
The Guardian newspaper published the conclusions of a secret report by the Gambling Commission today. From this, it follows that the gambling industry in the United Kingdom is heavily dependent on many issuing VIP casino players. These are also customers who are more likely to become problem gamblers. As a result of the research, which collected data from 9 gambling companies, the Gambling Commission is considering banning VIP programs. One gambling company received 83% of deposits from the 2% of customers who spent the most. Another gambling company acquired 58% of the stakes from only 5% of the players, while the percentages at another were 48% of 3%. Never before has it been painfully clear that high rollers are vital to casinos.
What are VIP programs?
Online gambling companies use VIP programs to reward gamblers who lose big money in free bets, cashback, or football tickets. The programs have been strongly criticized in recent years for encouraging gambling addiction. Gamblers can work their way up by spending more money on the VIP programs, and paying more means better rewards. VIPs are generally given a personal account manager with authority to offer bonuses such as free bets and cashback. In some cases, tickets to events or flights may also be delivered.
The programs are at odds with measures against gambling addiction. The casino rewards players for gambling more, while excessive gambling must be taken into consideration. In 7 of the 10 fines issued by the Gambling Commission, this was because online gambling companies gave a player VIP status instead of helping them combat gambling addiction. The regulator is even concerned that online gambling companies use algorithms and data analysis to identify a VIP player rather than a problem gambler. Is a VIP player by definition not a problem gambler?
VIPs are more likely to have a gambling addiction
The Gambling Commission concluded that VIP gamblers are more likely to be gambling addicts than ordinary gamblers. A rough estimate of the number of VIPs in Britain is 47,000. Of these, 8% would be problem gamblers compared to less than 1% for average gamblers.
To counteract this, the regulator can take various measures. One must agree on a generally accepted VIP code of conduct between gambling companies and limit rewards in VIP programs. Another possibility is to ban VIP status altogether.