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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) are investigating three gambling operators after money laundering failures and a lack of customer protection from gambling related harm.GAN PLC, BGO Entertainment and NetBet Entertainment are all subject to license reviews after failures were found. All three did not have correct procedures in place to protect customers from gambling related harm, plus, failing to prevent money laundering and criminal spend.
Tougher Restrictions Imposed
BGO and GAN both had tougher restrictions attached to their licenses, all three will now have to implement improved policies and make payment to progress the work of the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harm. The individual personal management licenses will also be under review in all three cases.Gambling Commission executive director Richard Watson said, “Licensees must protect consumers from harm and treat them fairly. Our recent investigations uncovered a variety of consumer protection and anti-money laundering failings at each of these three operators and as a result we are using a range of enforcement tools against them. We will continue to crack down on failing operators through our tough and proactive compliance and enforcement work.”
BGO Entertainment
Players who were displaying signs of problem gambling at BGO were not protected because of failed policies. BGO also failed to have anti-money laundering policies in place. They will now have further conditions imposed on their license, these include carrying out extra social responsibilities, and anti-money laundering checks on its customers. BGO will pay £2m to support the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harm.
GAN PLC
Gan failed to comply on four of its licensing conditions regarding social responsibility and anti-money laundering checks. Warnings such as Underage gambling is an offence was not displayed on their website and a lack of customer interaction guidance. GAN will also have further conditions imposed on its license with a continuous review of the effectiveness of its SR and AML policies. Extra training will be provided for personal management licensees and senior staff members. They have been ordered to pay £146,000 to the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harm.
NetBet Entertainment
The UKGC found NetBet failed in the protection of vulnerable customers and anti-money laundering policies. Funds and documentation produced by customers was not scrutinised and its implementation of responsible gambling policy ineffective.NetBet will now implement changes including checking login times while monitoring responsible gambling assessments on its customers. Limits to be placed on customers displaying early signs of irresponsible gambling and provide customers with an affordability calculator. NetBet are to pay £748,000 to the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms.