UK Gambling Commission Suspends Spribe OÜ Licence Over Hosting Compliance Failures
Published on by Zena Grantham
Spribe OÜ has had its UK license suspended by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) following what it described as “serious non-compliance with the hosting requirements”. The decision, announced on 30 October 2025, takes effect immediately under Section 118(2) of the Gambling Act 2005. The suspension applies to Scribe’s UK licence, number 057302-R-333085-003, and prevents the company from carrying out any hosting activity in Great Britain until a suitable hosting licence is obtained.
The reason for Spribe’s suspension
The UKGC found Spribe had been carrying out game-hosting activity beyond the permissions of its existing licence. Although the company holds a remote gambling software licence, the regulator discovered its operating model included hosting games on its own servers and making them available to consumers through licensed operators. This activity requires a separate hosting licence under UK law. The Commission has stated that “all hosting activity must stop immediately until a suitable hosting license is obtained.” They added that providing gambling facilities without authorisation is a criminal offence under Section 33 of the Gambling Act 2005. The suspension was imposed due to concerns about the company’s compliance oversight. This relates specifically to their operations within the licensed framework.
Spribe’s public response
Spribe OÜ acknowledged the suspension and issued a statement describing the issue as a “technical licensing gap.” The company was granted a UK remote gambling software licence in December 2020, but it has recently discovered that its business model requires a “remote casino game host” licence. The developer attributed the problem to a misunderstanding of the UK’s hosting regulations, rather than a deliberate breach of non-compliance.
Spribe have submitted a new licence application and expects its UK operations to be reinstated within the coming weeks. The company clarified that the suspension applies solely to its business-to-business activities and has no impact on user accounts or withdrawals.
The impact on operators and the gambling industry
The suspension immediately halted Spribe’s UK operations, disrupting existing partnerships with licensed operators. Its flagship title, the crash game Aviator, is expected to be temporarily withdrawn from UK-licensed platforms while the licensing issue is resolved. For operators hosting Spribe content, the ruling introduces new compliance risks. Continued use of games hosted by Spribe’s servers could breach regulatory requirements, prompting some operators to suspend the titles or transition to alternative providers.
Analysts have described the decision by the UKGC as evidence of regulators placing greater scrutiny on business-to-business suppliers. Enforcement has focused on consumer-facing operators, but this case highlights that software providers and hosting firms are now subject to the same rigorous standards. The decision reinforces the regulator’s intent to hold every layer of the gaming supply chain accountable for maintaining compliance within the UK market.
Uncertainties and next steps
It is not yet known how many UK-licensed operators will be affected by the suspension. Additionally, the timeframe for Spribe to secure the required license remains unclear. The company aims to resolve the issue within the next month. However, this timeline depends on how quickly the UK Gambling Commission reviews and approves its application. It is also unclear whether the regulator will consider this a temporary suspension. Alternatively, they may decide to take further action following their investigation into Spribe’s suitability as a license holder.
The situation is expected to develop over the coming weeks as the UKGC reviews the hosting licence application. Further updates may follow regarding the availability of Aviator and other Spribe titles at UK-licensed platforms.
Broader significance
The suspension marks one of the UK Gambling Commission’s most significant actions against a B2B supplier. It reflects a renewed focus on compliance. This applies to game developers, hosting providers, and consumer-facing operators.
The regulator’s message is clear. All hosting services, remote game delivery, and related technical services must operate within the limits of approved licenses. For suppliers in the UK market, the Spribe case highlights the importance of regulatory compliance. Transparency is also essential, and not an optional consideration.