Over Half a Million in Fines Must be Paid
Two gambling operators with more than 440 websites between them have been ordered to pay hefty fines for social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures. The gambling commission carried out an investigation into Jumpman Gaming Limited with some 243 websites. Key failings included a breaches of license conditions in the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing plus a further breach when it came to anti-money laundering measures (for operators based in foreign jurisdictions). They also failed to comply with social responsibility code relating to customer interaction.
Licensed gambling operators have a legal duty to ensure their gambling facilities are provided in compliance with the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act), to prevent gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or being used to support crime. Operators are also required to ensure gambling is conducted in a fair, safe and open way while protecting children and other vulnerable people from being exploited or harmed by gambling.
As a result of their findings, Jumpman Gaming, owner of Daily Record Bingo and Star Wins, has been ordered to pay £500K to the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms.
More Breaching of the Rules
Progress Play who run Mr Jack Vegas and Mr Super Play, have also been instructed to pay a fine to the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms, this time to the tune of £175,718. The Gambling Commission conducted an investigation which highlighted two anti-money laundering failings, the first being the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing the second being anti-money laundering Measures for operators based in foreign jurisdictions. Just like Jumpman Gaming, Progress Play also failed to comply with social responsibility code when it came to interacting with customers.
Licensees must interact with customers in a way which minimises the risk of customers experiencing harms associated with gambling, including:
- Identifying customers who may be at risk of or experiencing harms associated with gambling
- Interacting with customers who may be at risk of or experiencing harms associated with gambling
- Understanding the impact of the interaction on the customer, and the effectiveness of the Licensee’s actions and approach.
Progress Play accepted that they never undertook any review in relation to effectiveness or impact of the interactions it undertook with customers…
…they also failed to implement proactive gambling control measures. The investigation also discovered the lack of affordability checks being carried out on customers experiencing harm plus VIP agents had been offered paid incentives for taking up bonuses and promotions.
Leanne Oxley, Gambling Commission Director of Enforcement and Intelligence, said: “We will always clamp down on operators who fail in their obligations to keep gambling safe and crime-free. We encourage other operators to consider the failings identified in these cases carefully and consider what improvements they can make in their own businesses.”
Source: “Online Gambling Businesses Face £675,000 Regulatory Action”. Gambling Commission. May 17, 2022.
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Comments (1)
HangingAround
05/18/22, 08:05:37 AM
It doesn’t say when the rules were broken. I’d have thought gambling companies would know by now the regulator isn’t afraid to fine them. I think they’ve got off pretty lightly, what with others getting multiple millions in fines.
