UKGC fines online casino operators
The commission is taking widespread regulatory action against online casino operators and senior management.
UK.- As part of an ongoing investigation into the way the industry manages and fights money laundering and problems related to gambling, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is taking action against online casino companies and their senior management.
The UKGC revealed that it has imposed almost €16 million in penalties on three companies for failings to put in place effective safeguards to prevent money laundering and keep consumers safe from gambling-related problems.
After finishing licence reviews, the commission ordered Daub Alderney to pay a financial penalty of €8 million (as previously announced) and Casumo has been ordered to pay a financial penalty of €6.6 million. Videoslots will pay €1.1 million in lieu of a financial penalty. Another company – CZ Holdings – will no longer be able to provide gambling services to consumers in Britain as it surrendered its licence after a licence review had been commenced. Nine other operators have been issued with Advice to Conduct letters and a further six are still under investigation, said the UKGC.
Neil McArthur, Commission CEO, said: “I hope [the] announcement will make all online casino operators sit up and pay attention, as our investigations found that a large number of operators and their senior management were not meeting their obligations. It is not enough to have policies and procedures in place. Everyone in a gambling business must understand its policies and procedures and take responsibility for properly applying them.
“We expect operators to know their customers and to ask the right questions to make sure they meet their anti-money laundering and social responsibility obligations. Anyone in a position of authority needs to be aware that we will not only act against businesses when we take regulatory action – we will also hold individuals to account where they are responsible for an operator’s failings.”
Jeremy Wright, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “Any online operator that thinks it can ignore its duty to protect players should take note today – there will be consequences. Protecting vulnerable consumers is our prime concern, and it must be the priority for gambling operators too.
“There are robust requirements to safeguard players and prevent money-laundering which all businesses must adhere to if they wish to operate in the British market. I am pleased to see the Gambling Commission taking the strongest possible action when companies fail to meet their obligations.
