The UK gambling policy: Between affordability checks and high rollers
A lobby group called Gamblers Consumer Forum (GCF), which opposes UK gambling law reforms, is found to be co-owned by a betting industry consultant, as per The Guardian. The GCF claims to represent ordinary gamblers and has criticized proposed regulations, including affordability checks.
The group’s ties to politics and the gambling industry consultant have raised concerns, and its website has been accused of containing misleading information.
Experts have criticized the GCF’s central claim that “99.8% of British adults gamble without an issue” as misleading and false. Only around 50% of British adults gamble, and about 1.7% are at risk of experiencing gambling-related problems. GCF’s spokesperson defended their approach to statistics and their exclusion of certain definitions of gambling risk. The GCF also denies receiving corporate funding or donations from industry bodies.
That being said, affordability checks are actually nothing new when it comes to high-stakes gambling. In some jurisdictions and under certain regulations, high rollers may be subject to affordability checks, although the extent and frequency of these checks can vary.
Affordability checks are designed to ensure that individuals engaging in high-stakes gambling can genuinely afford the financial risks involved and are not at risk of experiencing significant harm or financial difficulties.
The birth of high-stakes gambling
In the summer of 1891 in Monaco, an Englishman called Charles Deville Wells arrived at the legendary Casino de Monte-Carlo and played roulette with relentless enthusiasm, breaking the bank multiple times over five days, winning £40,000 (around £4 million today). He repeated this success a few months later, garnering another £20,000 (£2 million today).
His exploits became a sensation in Britain, with songs and discussions about his abilities. High-stakes gambling, however, is not something known yet in the Wells’ homeland during that time. After all, the UK casino industry was still in its budding years. Speculation arose due to his questionable past involving unfulfilled inventions and financial losses for backers. Whatever that was, however, it was the day the world witnessed the birth of high-stakes gambling.
Casinos started to appear in the UK during the 1800s. These casinos were like special clubs where you could play games. But only members were allowed in. Before casinos, the UK gambling scene wasn’t like it is today. It didn’t have things like roulette wheels and slot machines. Punters bet on who would win a jousting match or a coin game called Cross and Pill. These involved pennies and in no way high stakes.
The first UK casino was Crockfords, owned by George Alfred James. It opened in 1828 on Curzon Street. The Duke of Wellington helped make it happen because casinos didn’t actually become officially legal in the UK until 1960. A year later, James expanded his casino enterprise by establishing new venues: the Prince of Wales Club in Cardiff, The Golden Horseshoe catering to the working class in London, and the grand Kingsway Casino in South Port.
The Kingsway Casino stood out as the most extravagant among them, drawing visits from renowned figures of that era. The casino held a pivotal role as a trendsetter, redefining sophistication and VIP experiences for casinos in the UK.
Luxurious perks at high-roller casinos
What truly stands out from high-roller casinos is the way they treat their customers. High-roller casinos value their customers and want them to keep coming back. This usually involves two things: loyalty programs and VIP benefits.
In offline casinos, VIP players often receive gift cards, enjoy complimentary parking, and experience personalized service at esteemed restaurants and spas. A luxury casino extends a lavish room and deluxe transportation, perhaps even a private jet, to its distinguished guests.
These VIP patrons are equipped with unique cards carrying monetary value for exclusive shopping within the casino’s stores. They can indulge in acquiring fine attire and thoughtful gifts for themselves and their loved ones. Select premier high-roller casinos in the UK also orchestrate exclusive events tailored for VIPs, like exclusive concerts, soirées, or even coveted backstage access.
In addition, their gambling experience would be entirely different. They play in private rooms, making it easy to conceal their identities and concentrate better on their games. While engaged in gaming activities, they relish complimentary meals and beverages along with discounted dining options. They can access exclusive tournaments, and they can even play with a credit system, allowing them to prolong their sessions when hard cash runs out.
In the internet era, the experience is still pretty much the same, only translated into virtual ones. As technology advances, the VIP experience at the online casino gets even better. After accessing the VIP casino login, VIP members get to receive special deals, extraordinary rewards, and better customer service tailored just for them.
