Commission clamps down on VIP schemes

The UK Gambling Commission has announced strict new guidance for operators in order to clean up the “malpractice” of so-called VIP schemes.

As part the commission’s work to strengthen consumer protection, the regulator has made addressing these schemes a priority after seeing repeated instances of failure to protect high value customers.

The Commission identified VIP schemes as an area for change and challenged the industry to clean up its act earlier this year, pushing them to work together to address the issue through an industry code of conduct.

Following an extensive consultation, all operators will now need to follow new guidance on these schemes, which see “high value” consumers provided with tailored bonuses, gifts, hospitality and preferential service from an operator designed to maintain or increase their custom.

Neil McArthur, Gambling Commission chief executive, said: “We have introduced these new rules to stamp out malpractice in the management of ‘VIP’ customers and to make gambling safer. Our enforcement work has identified too many cases of misconduct in the management of VIP schemes and this is the last chance for operators to show they can operate such schemes appropriately.”