VIP Programs in iGaming: How They Change Player Behavior
VIP programs are one of the most powerful tools for managing player behavior in iGaming. They are not just “bonuses for high rollers,” but a systemic mechanism that influences playing frequency, betting volume, and retention.
How VIP Programs Work
🔵 Players are segmented into VIP tiers based on betting volume, playing frequency, or deposits
🔵 The higher the tier, the more privileges: priority support, personal account managers, cashback, faster withdrawals, higher limits
🔵 The core idea is to reinforce a sense of status and reduce the likelihood of players switching to competitors
Why VIP Works
🔴 Status: Level progression is perceived as an achievement and motivates players to “push” toward the next tier
🔴 Scarcity: Privileges are available to a limited group of players, which increases the value of status
🔴 Personalized service: Dedicated managers and priority support create a feeling of special treatment
🔴 Reciprocal loyalty: When players receive tangible benefits, they are more likely to stay and continue playing
What the Numbers Show
🔵 Yield Sec & iGaming Business (2023): VIP programs can increase player retention by up to 30%
🔵 In some companies, 5% of VIP players generate more than 50% of GGR
🔵 UK Gambling Commission (pre-2020 restrictions): 8% of VIP players accounted for around 60% of total deposits
Behavioral Patterns Shaped by VIP
🔴 More frequent play: incentives reduce the time between sessions
🔴 Higher stakes: increased volume accelerates progression through VIP tiers
🔴 Harder to leave: accumulated status and privileges retain players even when competitors offer better bonuses
Regulation
🔵 In Europe, VIP programs are being restricted due to problem gambling risks
🔵 United Kingdom (since 2020): affordability checks for VIPs, bans on incentives for at-risk players, and stricter transparency requirements
🔵 After these restrictions, some operators saw a decline in VIP audience deposits
Conclusion
VIP programs shift player behavior away from comparing bonuses toward retention through status and accumulated value. The decision to stay is increasingly driven not by the current offer, but by the potential loss of conditions, history, and service level.
For operators, this means revenue concentration within a narrow segment and growing business dependence on a small group of players. This is why VIP remains a key economic driver of the product—and at the same time, a major focus for regulators.
How “that time of the month” affects gambling addiction in women
In the UK, a major study has been launched to explore how hormones influence women’s gambling behavior. The initiative was prompted by stories like those of Kiki Marriott and Abi Harvey — both noticed that their urge to gamble became much stronger during certain phases of their menstrual cycle.
Kiki cut back on food and heating but kept electricity and Wi-Fi so she could continue playing online games. She observed spikes in impulsivity and poorer decision-making in the week before her period. Abi, who lost more than £20,000, said she struggled to even spend 20 minutes in a car without stopping to access online slots — especially before and during menstruation.
Clinical teams at the Parkland Place rehabilitation centre in Wales also report that for some women, gambling activity intensifies shortly before the start of their cycle. At a theoretical level, this is linked to two factors: ovulation (when risk-taking tendencies increase) and the drop in progesterone before menstruation, which is associated with higher impulsivity and reduced decision control.
The charity Gordon Moody, together with the University of Birmingham, is currently running a four-year project examining how different hormonal phases (menstruation, ovulation, menopause, postpartum period) are connected to risky gambling behavior, and whether hormone-stabilising treatments (contraception, hormone therapy) can reduce compulsive urges to gamble.
A separate focus is the gender gap in access to help: according to Parkland Place, only about one in four people who reach rehabilitation are women, even though complaints about problem gambling among women are increasing. Factors include childcare responsibilities, stigma, and the feeling that there is “no space to drop out” of domestic roles.
The researchers’ key conclusion: for some women, gambling behavior is not only about psychology and money, but also about biology. Cycle tracking, working with triggers during “high-risk” days, and access to tailored support could become an important part of more personalised prevention and treatment strategies.
Celebrities and Casinos: From Brand Ambassadors to Their Own Projects
Today, casinos are not just a business — they are a media product. More and more celebrities are turning their names into brands and entering the gambling market, launching everything from exclusive online platforms to fully fledged casino projects.
🎧 Snoop Dogg and Dogg House
In January this year, Snoop Dogg, together with the Trivelta platform, launched the free-to-play online casino Dogg House.
🟢 Available in 50 U.S. states (excluding California, Nevada, New York, and Maryland).
🟢 Players can stream tracks from Snoop Dogg Radio directly while playing.
🟢 The catalog features 500+ games, including Snoop Blackjack and Snoop Dogg Poker.
🪙 Drake and Stake.com
Since 2022, Drake has been the official face of the crypto casino Stake.com.
🟢 Estimated contract value: around $ 100 million per year — one of the largest deals in the industry.
🟢 He hosted promo streams, placed high-stakes bets, and ran giveaways.
🟢 The partnership led to lawsuits in the U.S., with accusations of undisclosed casino advertising.
🥊 Conor McGregor and RealBet. io
In December 2025, UFC star Conor McGregor launched his own online casino, RealBet.io.
🟢 The platform combines casino games and sports betting.
🟢 McGregor acts as co-founder, owner, and brand ambassador.
🟢 The offering includes slots, live games, casino shows, and sportsbook betting.
🟢 Licensed by the Tobique Gaming Commission.
✨ A famous name draws attention, but a casino’s success depends not on brand hype, but on product quality — a user-friendly interface, relevant content, and reliable payment solutions. Without these, even the most high-profile project won’t stay at the top for long.
Malta and Offshore iGaming: A New Position of the EU Court
On January 15, 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union delivered a ruling that directly affects Malta’s offshore iGaming model. The Court confirmed that players have the right to file claims against operators working without a local license under the laws of the player’s country of residence, rather than under the law of the operator’s licensing country.
This decision calls into question the legal framework on which Malta’s iGaming model has long relied.
Case background
🔵 Claimant: a player from Austria
🔵 Defendant: Titanium Brace Marketing (a subsidiary of SkillOnNet, in liquidation)
🔵 The company held a Maltese license but did not have a license in Austria
🔵 The claim was brought against two company directors, seeking recovery of gambling losses under Austrian law
🔵 Defendants’ position: the dispute should be heard by a Maltese court, not an Austrian one
Court ruling
🔴 Key issue: which law applies when a player sues an operator that lacks a license in the player’s country
🔴 The Court stated that a player may rely on the laws of their home country when claiming compensation for operations conducted without local authorization
🔴 In online gambling, damage is deemed to occur where the player resides if the operator did not hold a local license
Why this is a blow to the Maltese model
🔵 Malta’s “offshore” logic has been based on the EU freedom to provide services as a foundation for operating across Europe
🔵 The ruling strengthens the position of countries that require local licensing, including claims for refunding player losses
🔵 Context matters: the EU is already seeing a wave of player lawsuits against operators, including in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands
Bill 55 and what it was meant to protect
🔴 Bill 55 is a Maltese law that limits the recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments against Maltese B2C operators
🔴 It protects claims by players seeking refunds of losses if the activity was conducted under an MGA (Malta Gaming Authority) license
🔴 Bill 55 is controversial and already being challenged at the EU level; the new court ruling increases pressure on this framework
Conclusion
The EU Court’s decision reduces the value of the Maltese license as a “single base” for operating across Europe. In the absence of a local license, disputes may be assessed under the rules of the player’s country, and an MGA license no longer fully guarantees protection against such claims. For the Maltese model, this means higher risks and increased uncertainty surrounding Bill 55.
LatAm 2026: What’s Changing Across the Markets
Latin America enters 2026 with tougher rules: instead of fine-tuning, regulators are moving to continuous supervision. The key markets of the year are Brazil (the region’s flagship licensed market) and Mexico (strict financial oversight even without updating the 1947 law).
The main shift in 2026
🔵 Regulation moves into a permanent supervision mode
🔵 Pressure is applied through money: payments, reporting, transparency
🔵 Separate focus on advertising and affiliate channels
🔵 For operators, this means less flexibility and more checks
🇧🇷 Brazil
SPA (Ministry of Finance) has outlined its 2026−2027 agenda: strengthening enforcement without changing the core model.
🔴 Fine-tuning licensing and operator requirements
🔴 Stronger supervision: more data and tighter enforcement
🔴 Clarified sanctions: clearer rules on what is punished and how
🔴 Regulation of digital betting terminals and lotteries
🔴 Control of advertising via affiliates and apps
🔴 Player “risk profile” tools via the regulator’s system
🇲🇽 Mexico
The key factor for 2026 is not reform of the 1947 law, but strict financial supervision: gambling is treated as a high-risk category for financial control.
🔵 Monitoring of payments and transactions
🔵 Strict reporting via the tax authority portal (SAT)
🔵 Higher requirements for identification and customer checks
🔵 Oversight by multiple authorities (SHCP, UIF, SEGOB)
🔵 Reform is under discussion, but enforcement is already active and does not depend on its pace
Other markets — briefly
🇵🇪 Peru: first full year of the new online market framework + stronger financial control
🇨🇴 Colombia: updated requirements for online operators, focus on the legal market
🇨🇱 Chile: online betting bill in committees — moving toward licensing
🇦🇷 Argentina (CABA): responsible gaming and advertising in focus; new restrictions under discussion
Conclusion
In 2026, LatAm becomes less free but more predictable. Brazil is expanding oversight to infrastructure and partner channels, while Mexico keeps the market under tight financial control regardless of legislative reform. The key filters of the year are money and advertising — the main levers regulators will use to squeeze the grey segment.
iGaming 2026: The Year of the Great Divide
Hi colleagues. While the market is being shaken by regulation, one thing is already clear: survival won’t favor the richest — it will favor the fastest and the smartest.
Watching the industry from the inside and sharing what will define this year:
1️⃣ AI is no longer a feature — it’s your P&L
Those who’ve embedded AI into retention and personalization are already showing 25−30% higher LTV than the market.
📊 By the end of 2026, manual bonus configuration will be an anachronism.
📊 AI agents will replace up to 70% of first-line support and VIP hosting roles.
Takeaway: Do you already have an AI personalization layer — or not?
2️⃣ Crypto: USDT is the new fiat
Players are no longer willing to wait 24 hours for withdrawals. Stability and speed are critical.
📊 Crypto deposits will account for 35% of global GGR by 2026.
📊 NFT-based loyalty programs will replace boring tiers and bronze cards.
Owning a digital asset of the platform gives players a sense of co-ownership. Result: churn drops by 20−30%.
Takeaway: Crypto loyalty is no longer experimentation — it’s an investment in retention.
3️⃣ Regulatory Tetris: white markets are overheating
Brazil, Colombia, and the updated European markets look perfect — but everyone is eating from the same plate.
📊 Hybrid models are the winning strategy for 2026.
📊 Compliance costs will rise by 15%, but the capitalization of licensed holdings will outperform grey networks by 5x.
Takeaway: Invest in licensing and compliance NOW. Tomorrow will be more expensive.
4️⃣ Classic slots are dead (for Gen Z)
Gen Z doesn’t spin reels. They want interactivity, shorter rounds, and control.
📊 Explosive growth in Prediction Markets and skill-influenced crash games.
📊 Non-classic games will reach 20−25% of total casino turnover.
Takeaway: Slots are the casino’s grandmother. Invest in interactive formats.
🔥 SUMMARY
Build an IT ecosystem where gambling is just one of the consumption scenarios.
Invest in:
✅ Data (AI stack, user behavior, personalization)
✅ Crypto infrastructure (USDT, withdrawals under 5 minutes)
✅ Social mechanics (TMA, referrals, loyalty)
✅ Licensing (regulation = competitive breakfast)
Those sitting on чужих решений pay a tax on laziness — and will soon be pushed out of the market.
Japan: The ban on betting as a tool to protect sport
Japan maintains a complete ban on sports betting and is not considering its legalization. Unlike most countries, the focus is not on regulating the market, but on fundamentally excluding betting from the sports system.
Government position
🔵 Recent discussions have reaffirmed the legislative stance against legalizing betting
🔵 Betting is viewed as a risk to professional sport
🔵 The priority is preventing match-fixing and protecting athletes and referees
Measures being developed
🔴 Formalized mechanisms to combat match-fixing are being established
🔴 A separate focus is placed on protecting athletes and officials from external pressure
🔴 Investigative and preventive measures are being discussed without opening a betting market
Why this is fundamental for Japan
🔵 In 1969, Japanese baseball players were permanently banned for involvement in match-fixing linked to underground gambling
🔵 Betting money directly influenced player behavior and match outcomes
🔵 Since then, the position has remained unchanged: regardless of whether betting is legal or illegal, betting itself creates incentives to influence sport
Current risk signals
🔴 Social media has made access to athletes and officials easier
🔴 International networks manipulate sporting events across 44 countries
🔴 Recent cases highlight pressure points both on athletes themselves (the case of J. League player Riku Danzaki) and on their close circles (the case of interpreter Ippei Mizuhara)
What is happening in the market
🔵 Despite the ban, betting continues via offshore websites
🔵 Platforms operate in Japanese and offer bets on domestic leagues
🔵 In 2024, betting volume through offshore operators amounted to at least ¥6.5 trillion
🔵 A significant share of players do not perceive such betting as a violation of the law
Conclusion
For Japan, legalizing betting would mean integrating betting into the sports system. This would shift the focus from protecting sporting integrity to managing financial interests around sport. As a result, the country prefers to maintain the ban, even while recognizing the limitations of this approach.
Happy New Year 2026
2025 was a year of turbulence for the industry: regulation tightened, acquisition costs increased, and audiences fragmented into niche communities.
In 2026, the winners will be those who focus on product quality, personalization, and genuine relationships with players and partners—not on noise and bulk traffic buying.
IGS remains your working filter: no hype, with a strong focus on analytics, 2026 trends, and real-world practices of operators and services across different GEOs. In the new year, there will be even more marketing breakdowns, case studies, and content on how to generate revenue in iGaming amid constantly changing rules.
Happy upcoming 2026! May it bring you sustainable growth, strong partnerships, and products you can truly be proud of—and IGS will help you stay on top of the market every day.
India: Online gambling ban accelerated the growth of the offshore market
The ban on online gambling in India (the PROGA law) did not reduce player participation but instead sharply increased the shift of users to offshore operators. A study by CUTS International records growth in engagement, spending, and daily activity already in the first months after the restrictions were introduced.
The data is based on a survey of 1,000 players in the Delhi region and shows that the market has moved out of regulated control.
What happened to the market
🔵 The share of players using offshore operators increased from 68.3% to 82.0%
🔵 24.7% of respondents started playing on offshore platforms after the ban
🔵 The legal online market has effectively disappeared for players
Player behavior and spending
🔴 The share of daily players rose from 3.4% to 42.3%
🔴 44% spend more than two hours per gaming session
🔴 38.3% access games more than five times a day
🔴 Spending structure shifted toward larger deposits: 26.2% — $ 60−120, 7.2% — $ 120−300, 6.3% — over $ 300
How players bypass the ban
🔵 The main access channel is closed groups in messaging apps
🔵 Mirrors and pre-saved QR codes are used as auxiliary tools
🔵 Blocking measures proved technically ineffective
Economic impact on India
🔴 $ 845 million — player deposits diverted to the offshore segment
🔴 $ 236 million — lost tax revenues
🔴 6,500 jobs lost in the first months
Legal context
🔵 The ban was introduced through the PROGA law, adopted without full public discussion or market participation
🔵 The law does not distinguish between games of chance and games of skill (rummy, fantasy sports)
🔵 The Supreme Court of India has postponed the hearing on the constitutionality of PROGA until January 2026
🔵 The offshore segment continues to grow amid the complete halt of the legal market
Conclusions
The online gambling ban did not reduce demand — it merely redirected it. Instead of protecting players, India faced the expansion of offshore platforms, increased risky behavior, and a loss of tax revenues. The judicial pause only entrenches this imbalance and prolongs the period of regulatory vacuum.
Indonesia: -6 million players amid crackdowns
In 2024–2025, Indonesia intensified pressure on illegal online gambling — authorities blocked websites and restricted payments. According to the Financial Intelligence Unit (PPATK), these measures led to a significant decline in market activity.
Reminder: online gambling is completely prohibited in Indonesia.
Market scale before the crackdown
Before active regulatory measures began, Indonesia’s illegal online gambling market was rapidly growing both in monetary terms and in the number of players.
🔵 Market size (2023): $ 19.5 billion
🔵 Estimated illegal market turnover (forecast, 2024): $ 61.6 billion
🔵 Number of players (2024): 9.7 million, including around 80,000 children under 10 years old
Impact of measures and current dynamics (Q3 2025)
After tighter blocking and financial controls, the market began to shrink sharply.
🔴 Market size (Q3 2024): $ 16.19 billion
🔴 Market size (Q3 2025): $ 9.23 billion
🔴 Decline: -57% YoY
🔴 Number of players fell from 9.7 million to 3.1 million (-68%)
Measures implemented
🔵 Blocking of websites and apps
🔵 Monitoring and filtering of financial transactions
🔵 Coordination between regulators, financial intelligence, and digital authorities
🔵 Pressure across the entire ecosystem — from interfaces to payments
Government position
Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid emphasizes that the decline is the result of targeted policy, not market fluctuations. The campaign is positioned as a social protection measure aimed at shielding citizens from gambling addiction and financial losses.
What’s next
🔴 Increased supervision and monitoring
🔴 Rapid blocking of new platforms after launch
🔴 Additional restrictions for payment providers
🔴 Closing remaining regulatory loopholes
Conclusion
In Indonesia, pressure through digital blocking and financial restrictions has led to a noticeable decline in illegal online gambling activity. According to financial intelligence data, transaction volumes fell by -57%, along with an estimated -68% drop in active players.
A simultaneous decline across both metrics suggests that the changes are not only reflected in reports, but are occurring in reality as well.
Malta or Curaçao: Which One to Choose?
Malta and Curaçao are two of the most common jurisdictions in online gambling, but they differ significantly in regulation, requirements, and advantages. Let’s break down each jurisdiction in more detail.
🇲🇹 Malta
Regulatory authority: Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
The framework is strict yet flexible, focused on innovation and consumer protection. Suitable for operators of any scale, but requires compliance with high standards.
License types: B2B and B2C.
💸 Costs:
🔴 Application fee — € 5,000;
🔴 Annual fee — € 25,000;
🔴 Registration fee — individual;
🔴 Share capital — from € 40,000 to € 240,000;
🔴 License validity — 10 years;
🔴 Processing time — from 3−4 months.
🇨🇼 Curaçao
Regulatory authority: Curaçao Gaming Control Board (CGCB).
License types: B2B and B2C. Applications can be submitted online. The license is issued for 1 year.
💸 Costs:
🔴 Application fee — € 4,600;
🔴 Due diligence per individual — up to € 260;
🔴 Monthly fee — € 2,050;
🔴 Annual fee — € 24,530;
🔴 Domain fee — € 260;
🔴 Processing time — can be as fast as 3−4 days.
🔖 Important! Operating under a sub-license is no longer allowed — an individual license is required.
🌎 The license is not valid in certain countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
Obtaining a Curaçao license is simpler and more cost-efficient. No VAT is charged. Corporate income tax for gambling operators is 2%.
Which One to Choose?
Malta — flexibility and innovation:
➕ Corporate tax rate — 5%;
➕ Focused on new segments, including esports;
➕ Suitable for those seeking a balance between innovation and strict regulation;
➖ Increasing competition and closer scrutiny from the EU.
Curaçao — a fast and cost-effective market entry:
➕ License from € 20,000 per year with a low tax rate;
➕ Ideal for startups and crypto-focused operators;
➖ Weaker regulatory oversight and limited player protection;
➖ Market restrictions.
In-house Processing vs Aggregators: How Not to Overpay
Build your own processing or pay an aggregator?
We often think that controlling payments means controlling the business. In reality, it can mean controlling a headache that eats into your margins 🥲
An aggregator is a universal key to all doors.
One integration — and you get dozens of payment methods: cards, crypto, local wallets.
What you gain:
— Go live in a couple of weeks, not months
— Compliance, fraud monitoring, and bank negotiations are not your problem
— “Rented” reputation: your traffic is mixed into the aggregator’s pool, lowering the risk of blocks
But rent always has a price:
1️⃣ Higher fees — the aggregator adds its margin on top of bank rates
2️⃣ Dependence on someone else’s relationships: if the aggregator falls out with a key bank, your business in that region can stall
3️⃣ No access to data — no deep analytics, no chargeback forecasting, no real understanding of VIP user behavior
In-house processing is the owner’s path.
Direct contracts with banks and payment systems give you:
— A 2−5% margin uplift. At scale, that’s new markets or an extra team
— Direct access to funds and data: faster settlements, more control
— A proprietary asset. Processing is infrastructure, not an expense — competitors can’t just copy it
How to choose?
Focus on three things:
1. Business stage. If you’re testing a market — use an aggregator. If you have stable turnover of $ 1M+ per month — run the numbers for direct integration.
2. Region. Europe is a fee game: in-house processing improves margins. Asia is a jungle of local methods — an aggregator can save you years.
3. Chaos tolerance. Ready to maintain a payments team, build fraud rules, and talk to banks at night? Then in-house is for you. If not — pay for convenience.
The biggest mistake is trying to sit on two chairs at once: using an aggregator, then adding direct integrations for VIPs or specific methods.
Your processing setup is not about IT. It’s about finance and relationships.
If you’re not ready to manage both — pay the aggregator’s fee and sleep well 😁
