Entertainment

Great Britain’s 95% decline in VIP clients: Is this a headache for online casinos?

Published

9 months ago

August 14, 2025

Thanks to a 2020 change in rules surrounding VIP experiences at online casinos in the UK, operators were faced with a new challenge. As tighter regulations were introduced by the UK Gambling Commission, extra pressure was put on operators for the running of their high-value customer schemes (HVCs).

VIP experiences have always been part and parcel of the casino experience, and with the world of gambling heavily shifting online since the turn of the century, the path it has taken has been full of twists and turns regarding the rules surrounding it. Legal online casinos such as those reviewed and ranked by https://legalcasino.uk/, a service which studies and compares UK gambling operators, have to adhere to the regulations as set out by the Gambling Commission to initially get an operating licence. They also face regular checks and audits to ensure that standards of game fairness, finances and Responsible Gambling are all being upheld. This heavy scrutiny is why it is always recommended to only play at UK-licensed operators.

But how did the tighter regulations affect online casinos? The official figure, according to iGB, a portal dedicated to the regulated global online gambling industry, is a 95% drop of VIP customers. Let’s have a closer look at what VIP online casino experience is and what this dramatic decline really means.

What are VIP programmes?

VIP programmes at online casinos are designed to replace the in-person experience of getting levels of service above and beyond that of regular players. They are linked to dedicated players who have higher bankrolls and typically bet big.

They generally operate on a tiered system, where points are earned from gambling to climb through the levels. Naturally, the higher the VIP tier is, the greater the rewards like faster withdrawals, a personal account manager, higher deposit limits and customer support priority.

It’s also common to find tailored promotions and bonuses in the higher tiers of VIP clubs, with things like physical gifts, experiences and invitations to VIP tournaments.

Getting in the club

VIP programmes at online casinos are typically invite-only. Operators will monitor deposit and betting activity and reach out to a player to see if they want to join. Among the main criteria are value and frequency of deposits, along with value and volume of bets placed. Some operators allow customers who believe they should be in the VIP club the chance to reach out to customer support to see if they can get in.

Harder entry

The 2020 regulation changes, which came about after talks between the Gambling Commission and the Betting and Gaming Council, meant that VIP club handling got a little more difficult for operators.

Among the main changes, more rigorous checks on a player’s background, finances and their betting behaviour become a requirement before joining, to help protect players from getting into something difficult to monetarily sustain.

As well as prohibiting anyone under the age of 25 from entering such a scheme, the new rules also forced senior management to oversee them, and perhaps the biggest shake-up was that the new regulations meant that casinos could no longer incentivise VIP experiences based on customer losses.

How did the changes affect operators?

Having studied the impact of the changes in the industry after the new regulations, the Gambling Commission reported that the number of High Value Customer Schemes dropped from 42,349 (22 operators) to 1,616 (18 operators) between April 2023 and March 2024.

That equated to a massive 95% drop in players registered for VIP programmes, leaving operators with an average of just 89.80 VIPs compared to 1,925 at the start of the period.

From the number of operators involved in the survey, around 60% of them were still offering VIP schemes, down from 67% before the regulatory changes were introduced. So the amount of available programmes has remained fairly stable, but just the number of players being onboarded has dropped dramatically.

The bigger headache

This naturally resulted in a big headache for online gambling platforms, namely a significant loss in gross gambling yield (GGY) from VIP programmes. In the 2023-24 financial year, the total generated by VIP programmes, according to the same report, was £10.87 million, down 51% from the 2022-23 period GGY (£22.18 million). The numbers indicate that the tighter regulations have meant a significant depression in this income stream for operators.

Player protections

The measures introduced by the Gambling Commission were designed with player protection in mind, to help prevent vulnerable individuals from getting exploited, by forcing casinos to take more rigorous steps to ensure that what a player was spending as a VIP was affordable.

Further protections by stopping incentives like cashback on losses and bonuses for losing streaks have also played a part in putting the brakes on participation. The concern with tiered rewards is that players can overspend just to achieve new ones or sustain their current levels, which can lead to problem gambling.

VIP Programmes are still available, but it appears to no longer be the powerhouse of an income stream that it once was.

Entertainment

Llys-y-frân Lake to launch Wales’s largest inflatable aqua park

Published

1 day ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW ATTRACTION WILL OPEN AT WEEKENDS BEFORE THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

LLYS-Y-FRÂN Lake is set to make a splash this summer with the launch of what is being billed as Wales’s largest inflatable aqua park.

The new attraction, at the popular reservoir and visitor destination near Clarbeston Road, will feature a floating obstacle course with slides, launch towers, blast bags and other inflatable challenges.

Visitors will be able to enjoy one-hour sessions on the water, with safety equipment included in the £25 ticket price.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, which runs Llys-y-frân Lake, completed the acquisition of the aqua park from Aqua Parks Group in March. Work is now under way to inflate and anchor the multi-component course in the lake ahead of its opening.

The aqua park will open at weekends before the start of the six-week school holiday period. It will then operate daily during the school holidays, with the season expected to finish in early September.

James Thompson, Head of Visitor Attractions at Dŵr Cymru, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of an Aqua Park at Llys-y-frân Lake.

“We look forward to welcoming both holidaymakers and local residents from across West Wales and beyond to experience the Aqua Park.

“This new addition enables visitors to enjoy the water in a safe, fully lifeguarded environment.”

Llys-y-frân Lake, situated north of Haverfordwest in the foothills of the Preseli Mountains, has become one of West Wales’s best-known outdoor attractions.

The site, which includes 350 acres of woodland, grassland and open water, benefited from major investment in 2021 with the opening of a new visitor centre and activity centre. A four-star campsite was added in 2023.

Dŵr Cymru said environmental surveys had been carried out and indicated that the aqua park was unlikely to have a negative impact on local wildlife. The company said measures were being put in place to protect the lake’s habitats and species.

Recent inland bathing water assessments have also confirmed that Llys-y-frân Lake has excellent water quality. Welsh Water said monitoring would continue throughout the summer bathing season.

A community open day will be held at Llys-y-frân Visitor Centre on Sunday, May 17, from 11:00am to 3:00pm, where plans for the aqua park will be on display and staff will be available to answer questions.

The new attraction will add to the existing activities at Llys-y-frân, which include bike hire, walking and cycling trails, mountain bike routes, a pump track, lakeside café and gift shop.

Further updates on opening dates and the full summer timetable will be published on the Llys-y-frân Lake Facebook and Instagram pages.

Charity

Milford Haven Beer Fest set for Bank Holiday return

Published

2 days ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Festival promises live music, Welsh ales and community spirit at the waterfront

MILFORD HAVEN Beer Fest is set to return later this month, with organisers promising another packed day of live music, craft drinks and festival atmosphere.

The popular annual event will take place at Milford Waterfront on Saturday, May 23, inside the Ascona Group Marquee, with doors opening at 12:00pm.

Organisers say no advance tickets will be available, with entry operating on a first come, first served basis. Another sell-out is expected and early arrival is strongly advised.

A wide range of Welsh breweries and drinks producers will be represented, including Tenby Harbwr Brewery, Bluestone Brewing Company, Gethin’s Cider, Mantle Brewery, Gower Brewery and Core of the Poodle.

Tiny Rebel Brewery will also be serving lagers, IPAs and its new stout, Coal Drop, while Barti Rum will showcase its latest canned drinks. Prosecco and Pimm’s will also be available.

Entertainment throughout the day will be hosted by Pure West Radio, with headliners 4th Street returning to the waterfront.

The line-up also includes a DJ set from former Welsh rugby international and British and Irish Lion Josh Navidi, alongside performances from Steve Bartram, Big Chicken, Jake Taylor, Function 22 and Natalie O’Brien.

Festivalgoers will also be able to enjoy a street food zone featuring Grub Tacos, Junkyard Dogs and Reeves BBQ.

Community support

Nathan Rees, chairman of Milford Haven Round Table said: “The Beer Festival is a huge highlight for us – not just for the atmosphere, but for the impact it has.

“Every penny raised goes back into the community, funding events like our Carnival and Fireworks and supporting local causes.

“We’re also incredibly grateful to The Ascona Group for their continued sponsorship and to the Port of Milford Haven for their ongoing support as our Major Events Partner, as well as all the Beer Festival sponsors for 2026.”

Ticket information

Entry costs £25 and includes four drink tokens, a festival cup and live entertainment throughout the day.

Additional drink tokens will cost £2.50 each, with cash and card accepted.

The event is strictly over-18s only.

Organisers say there will be a 100 per cent bag search policy, with visitors strongly advised not to bring bags. Free water will be available, and dogs will not be allowed.

Entertainment

Dinosaurs set to take over Milford Waterfront

Published

3 days ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PREHISTORIC FUN COMES TO MILFORD HAVEN

DINOSAURS will be roaming Milford Waterfront later this month as Dinomania brings a day of prehistoric entertainment to the town.

The popular dinosaur attraction will take over the waterfront on Wednesday, May 27, with three interactive shows taking place throughout the afternoon.

Each show will last around 50 minutes and promises plenty of audience participation, prehistoric facts, and family-friendly fun.

Before the ticketed shows begin, visitors are being encouraged to keep an eye out around Milford Waterfront, where Dinomania’s dinosaurs will be out and about during a free walkabout performance between 10:30am and 11:30am.

The walkabout will give families the chance to see the dinosaurs up close and enjoy some entertainment around the waterfront before the main shows get underway.

Milford Waterfront said: “Dinomania will be taking over Milford Waterfront on Wednesday, May 27, with three exciting shows taking place throughout the afternoon.

“Each show lasts approximately 50 minutes and is packed with interactive moments and prehistoric fun.”

Tickets can be booked through the Milford Waterfront website.