GC New Rules For VIP Schemes

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The Gambling Commission has announced strict new guidance for operators in order to clean up the malpractice of so-called VIP schemes – stating that if the guidance is followed there should be no irresponsible incentivisation of high value customers in the future.
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.
Before any operator makes a customer a VIP, from 31 October it must:

• Establish that spending is affordable and sustainable as part of the customer’s leisure spend
• Assess whether there is evidence of gambling related harm, or heightened risk linked to vulnerability
• Ensure the licensee has up to date evidence relating to identity, occupation and source of funds, and;
• Continue to verify the information provided to them and conduct ongoing gambling harm checks on each individual to spot any signs of harm.

The new guidance also means operators will appoint a senior executive who holds a personal management licence (PMLs) to oversee their respective scheme - making individuals personally accountable.

Full article here