I am pleased to see the Gambling Commission taking the strongest possible action when companies fail to meet their obligations.” “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. Protecting vulnerable consumers is our prime concern, and it must be the priority for gambling operators too. Jeremy Wright, the secretary of state for the Department of 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. Three individuals have also been stripped of their licence to serve as directors of gambling companies, four were issued with warnings and three are under investigation.Ĭollectively, the payout far outstrips the largest penalty handed out by the industry regulator, a £7.8m fine paid by online casino firm 888 after more than 7,000 people who had voluntarily banned themselves from the site were allowed to continue betting.
A further six firms remain under investigation. A fourth company, CZ Holdings, surrendered its right to provide gambling services in the UK after the regulator opened a review of its licence.
