Sarah Garnder: UKGC consultation conclusions due this summer

UKGC urges operators to ‘actively monitor’ partners following illegal activity

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released a statement that claims it is aware of some casino games appearing on unlicensed websites available to British consumers illegally.

These markets are unregulated, and do not provide the same safeguards that are required of operators. 

The organisation explained that these markets often target vulnerable customers, such as those who have self-excluded via the GAMSTOP scheme: “The websites may have inadequate social responsibility and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) controls in place and leave customers open to risks of fraud, data privacy issues and unfair practices. 

“It is therefore imperative that the Commission, in collaboration with the gambling industry and key partners take all possible steps to mitigate risk to GB consumers.”

However, operators providing B2B gaming solutions can help the Commission tackle the illegal market by reviewing their own practices. 

The Commission has found that, in some instances, third party resellers are distributing games supplied by operators to the illegal market, often in breach of their contractual obligations. 

The UGKC suggested that Commission licensees may have been negligent in allowing them to do so and in the process, place their own licence at risk.

The regulator has advised operators to ‘actively monitor’ their business relationships to ensure any partners are not participating in offering illegal gambling facilities to the UK market, and where identified, terminating relationships where non-compliance has occurred.

“It is critical that licensees also actively engage with the Commission where such activity is identified, setting out the preventative measures adopted to ensure such activity ceases immediately,” the group continued.

“Actively notifying the Commission and setting out a clear plan to mitigate the issue at pace is a minimum requirement.”

Finally, the Commission emphasised that it is adopting a proactive approach to this matter and may decide at any point to conduct test purchasing activity to evidence potential breaches.

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