Entertainment

The importance of betting sites maintaining their reputation and trustworthiness

Published

6 months ago

June 9, 2025

Online casinos pride themselves on many things, from their luxurious menus and optimized apps to their massive selection of table games, slots and card games. But one of the most important things they need to always be on the ball with is their reputation.

These days, online casinos live and die by word of mouth online. The way they maintain their reputation is not only insightful to modern business trends in general, but also to how they interact with their base.

Bringing in new players

No matter what kind of service or product you are selling, if you want to acquire new customers or clients then you need to have a solid reputation that is built on reliability and trust.

Word of mouth is essential these days. For example, people who are looking for a new platform for sports betting will look to reviews of UK football betting sites. That way, they can find the best welcome bonuses and learn all they need to know about bookies before they actually sign up.

More people are beginning to put faith in user reviews, not just professional aggregate sites. Even though having a great selection of games and juicy welcome bonuses is important for reeling in new players, it will be hard to get them to register if people across social media and review sites are speaking negatively of the site or app.

Keeping the old players

Similarly, a good reputation is even more important for maintaining the customer base a platform acquires. Getting new people in is one thing, but keeping them for months or years is a very different and much more difficult process.

This is why more online casinos are partnering with athletes and celebrities, as well as amplifying their social media presence, as these are the types of things that set the great betting sites apart from the others.

Players stay at betting sites because there is a lot on offer, such as VIP programs, good odds, a diverse selection of games and excellent customer support – preferably the kind that can be contacted 24/7 and through multiple channels, like email or chat rooms. Most betting sites with large, reliable customer bases and a good reputation implement all of these things effectively.

Additionally, a betting site needs to have its site – or app – in order. It needs to look clean, be well optimized, get updated as necessary and be easy to navigate. Though great games and atmosphere can get people in the door, the app and site themselves can turn people away, even if they are just slightly buggy or clunky.

Staying ahead of competitors

The betting site industry keeps a close eye on its competitors, which is why they tend to offer such competitive welcome and no deposit bonuses. But it is also why they take their user reviews and reputation so seriously, because it is often the deciding factor for a lot of people.

Many casinos have similarities when it comes to game selection and themes, so they have to go out of their way to stay unique. This can involve new ways to enable or incorporate technology, but it can also just mean fostering a site or community that feels lively and interactive.

There are a number of online casinos or betting sites that will just do the bare minimum to stay afloat. They can still be fun to play at from time to time, but they are not the places that will keep people coming back for more.

A betting site that goes out of its way to stay relevant and up to date will prove to people that it cares about treating people well. Whether that’s via a robust loyalty program, lotteries and tournaments, responsibility mechanisms or partnerships with equally reliable software providers, these are the things to look out for when trying to find a trustworthy betting site or app.

Why is a betting site’s reputation so important?

Betting sites are a business, and like any business, they stay afloat and scale up by making their current customers feel satisfied. But when it comes to gambling, there are extra factors to keep in mind.

For one thing, gambling can have a reputation for being too risky or too seedy. Luckily, there are more than enough examples in popular culture to show that casinos can be a fun, no-hassle experience if you know what to expect. In this sense, casinos owe it to themselves and to their potential customers to show they want you to have a good time. This is important for their reputation, as it tells people they are not just another source of entertainment.

The bigger issue, though, is with regulation and licensing. Unfortunately, there are many unlicensed betting sites and online casinos out there, and they can’t be trusted for a variety of reasons. They could be operating illegally, or they could be trying to pull a fast one on their customers.

Reputable betting sites earn licenses and are proud of it. Licenses prove they know how to follow rules and laws, and not accidentally bring any trouble to their customers. Many people will stay away from an entire brand of betting sites if they hear they cannot be trusted. This is why betting sites take their reputation so seriously.

Entertainment

Gavin & Stacey stars reunite for Christmas advert

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2025

Luke Sinclair

GAVIN & STACEY favourites Joanna Page and Mathew Horne have reunited on screen for a Christmas special – though not the one fans might have hoped for. Instead of returning to Barry or Billericay, the duo appear together in a new festive advert for Waitrose, sharing a turkey pie while responding to a fan’s heartfelt letter about expressing love through food.

The short film marks their appearance in How to Say It With Food, a six-part series in which Page and Horne tackle some of the nation’s most common Christmas food dilemmas. The clip opens with Page teasingly nodding to their iconic sitcom: “Oh, you didn’t think we’d let Christmas roll around without showing up again, did you?”

Horne quickly follows with his own playful line: “Us? Miss Christmas? Not a chance. But this time we’re here to help you say it with food.”

The pair are then handed an envelope “from Santa”, containing a letter from a viewer asking how he can show his “leading lady” he loves her through food. Mathew quips: “First time saying it, you want a statement. Sixteenth time, you want a statement that doesn’t involve socks.”

He then introduces Waitrose’s new Christmas advert starring Keira Knightley and Joe Wilkinson. The main campaign follows an unlikely festive romance sparked by Sussex Charmer cheese and culminating in Wilkinson presenting Knightley with a turkey pie decorated with the words “I love you”. Watching the moment unfold, Page smiles at Horne and mirrors another classic Gavin & Stacey reference: “Oh, that’s so romantic.”

The duo are soon given their own turkey pie to try. Horne eagerly tucks in before cutting Page a slice, prompting laughter from his co-star. The advert ends with the pair wishing viewers a Merry Christmas as Knightley and Wilkinson share a warm festive kiss on screen.

The reunion comes almost a year after audiences tuned in to the BBC sitcom’s much-anticipated finale, which drew an impressive 12.3 million viewers on Christmas Day. The episode wrapped up storylines including Gwen’s blossoming romance with Dave Coaches, Smithy’s near-wedding to Sonia, and the moment fans had long debated – Smithy and Nessa tying the knot.

Reflecting on the new project, Page said: “You thought you’d seen the last of us! Well, we’re back and what fun we had.” She added: “It was such a treat working with Mat… food is what brings people together over the festive season.”

Horne described the experience as “brilliant”, calling their on-screen reunion “a Christmas tradition”.

Entertainment

Filming for new season of S4C crime drama Cleddau returns to Pembrokeshire

Published

3 days ago

December 3, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Production crew spotted in Pembroke Dock, Neyland and Burton as series set for 2026 release

FILMING has returned to Pembrokeshire this week for the next season of Cleddau — the hit S4C crime drama released in English as The One That Got Away.

The production crew has been seen in Pembroke Dock, Neyland and Burton capturing new scenes for the upcoming 2026 series. Local photographer Gareth Davies shared images of the team working along the estuary, describing “a real buzz” in the area as cast and crew returned after the success of the first season.

Crime thriller rooted in the Cleddau estuary

Cleddau follows a murder investigation that reopens buried secrets in a quiet west Wales community. The show has been praised for its atmospheric storytelling, strong performances and striking use of local Pembrokeshire scenery — with the Cleddau estuary itself forming a central part of the series’ identity.

Residents have reported seeing cameras and production vehicles around familiar walking routes, waterfront areas and estuary-side villages as the crew makes full use of the landscape that inspired the show’s name.

Local interest and economic boost

The return of filming has been welcomed locally, bringing attention, visitors and activity into communities along the waterway. For many residents, the excitement lies in spotting familiar places on screen when the new season airs next year.

The new series of Cleddau is expected to be broadcast in 2026.

Entertainment

Cardigan Theatre brings Beauty and the Beast to Mwldan this Christmas

Published

5 days ago

December 1, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Festive panto promises magic, music and family fun

CARDIGAN Theatre is set to bring festive magic to Theatre Mwldan this Christmas with a fun-filled production of Beauty and the Beast, running from 21–29 December. The pantomime is written and directed by Jonathon Preece and promises all the traditional panto sparkle audiences love.

The story follows once-proud Prince Louis (Emily Davies), who angers Agatha the Evil Enchantress (Kelly Lewis). As punishment for his selfishness, she transforms him into the fearsome Beast (Steve Green). His only hope of breaking the spell is to find true love – or remain a beast forever.

Meanwhile, brave and kind-hearted Belle (Ruby Lemoine) sets out to rescue her eccentric father Marcel (Tom Loveday) who on his way to the “Big Invention Competition”, gets lost and stumbles into the enchanted castle and is taken prisoner by the Beast. Determined to save him, Belle is joined by her loyal friend Jaques, the village silly billy (Sarah Harris), flamboyant Dame Madam Fromage (Rhys Davies), and Gavin (Paul Robinson), the vain village heart-throb who is convinced Belle should marry him!

Inside the castle, Belle encounters a host of enchanted objects, including Tick Tock (Lilwen), Flambe (Bryce), and Mrs Kettle (Manon), who provide humour, magic and plenty of encouragement as they try to help the Beast win Belle’s heart and break Agatha’s curse.

With songs, jokes, colourful characters and plenty of audience participation, the production promises festive fun for all ages.

Beauty and the Beast runs at Theatre Mwldan from 21–29 December. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

Cardigan Theatre can be followed on Facebook and Instagram for updates on future shows.