Bojoko report asks whether changes to VIP schemes go far enough

Operators, lawyers and the Betting and Gaming Council share their thoughts on the latest regulatory changes in the UK

Bojoko has created a special report looking at the industry’s reaction to the Gambling Commission’s decision to tighten requirements for high value customers and VIP schemes.

The online casino comparison site has spoken to operators, lawyers and the Betting and Gaming Council to determine whether the new requirements go far enough.

While the Bojoko team believes an outright ban is the only way to properly protect players, the majority of operators do not believe abolishing VIP schemes is best way forwards.

Here are some highlights from the report:

“Through robust Know Your Customer checks for every single existing VIP and new VIPs, as well as increased transparency and accountability, we believe that our operators have the necessary structures in place to ensure high value customers are enjoying gambling safely.”

• Brigid Simmonds, Betting and Gaming Council

“From the industry’s perspective, I think that there is a hope that if they act now this will head off a proportion of the concerns (and avoid a total ban), and from the Gambling Commission’s perspective, it is seen as being very active in a “problem area”.”

• Alasdair Lamb, Senior Associate at CMS

“In the case of VIP schemes, banning them pushes the larger operators out of the market and more unregulated casinos benefit while the government loses out on POC tax. I certainly think tweaks can be made to regulation but in most cases, including this one, abolition is not the answer.”

• James Booth, MrQ

The report also provides insight and guidance for what operators can do to ensure they are ready for the changes when they come into force on 31 October 2020.

The full report can be found here.