UKGC Compliance Inspections Increase on Potential Failings
Richard Bradley, partner of one of the largest solicitors (Poppleston Allen) in the UK and gambling compliance expert warns the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) will increase its compliance inspections, fines, and regulatory settlements, after continuous failings from some of the biggest operators.
Social Responsibility and AML Failings
It was reported last week, Entain, the sports betting and casino giant was fined £17m for social responsibility and anti-money laundering failings, the largest fine to date. £14m of the fine for lack of interaction with customers at its 13 online businesses including Ladbrokes and Coral and £3m for failings across its 2,746 betting premises across the UK.
Bradley said, “Our advice to top operators, over and above the obvious reminder to regularly review compliance processes meticulously, with a particular focus on monitoring customer’s accounts and player behaviours, is to be proactive and cooperative when engaging with the Gambling Commission.
“While operators identify their own non-compliance concerns, they should act swiftly to assess all relevant details and implement a robust action plan in a timely manner. If the gambling Commission must notify the failings, this should be completed at the earliest possible stage. Where the Commission raises concerns, operators should engage with the Commission and be able to identify the measures to be implemented to resolve suspected breaches, presenting effective operational solutions.”
As the UKGC up’s the ante on compliance inspections, more inquiries regarding compliance failings are in question according to Poppleston Allen Solicitors. As the number of checks rises more operators are clearly failing in a number of key areas. Operators simply waiting to be caught out, then taking a reactive approach rather than dealing with problems as they arise will result in much more severe penalties. Operators who repeatedly offend may see their license revoked, however, this action is set for the most severe breaches.
More Fines
Swedish online operator Leovegas who owns a string of popular online casinos was fined £1.32m after UKGC investigations found social responsibility and AML failings. And a few weeks ago, Malta-based Smarkets Limited was fined £630,000 for similar failings.
