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The UK Gambling Commission has imposed a hefty fine of £582,120 ($734,926) on Bet365, a prominent sports betting and online gaming company, citing failures in anti-money laundering measures and social responsibility protocols. This penalty follows a regulatory investigation into the operations of Bet365's licensed entities in the UK.
Of the total fine, Hillside (UK Gaming) ENC, responsible for Bet365's bingo and casino offerings, will bear £343,035 ($433,081), while Hillside (UK Sports) ENC, overseeing Bet365's betting services, will pay £239,085. The entire sum will be directed toward socially responsible causes, as part of an agreement with the Gambling Commission.
The Commission disclosed that these deficiencies came to light during a compliance assessment conducted in March 2022. Identified shortcomings encompassed lapses in both social responsibility practices and anti-money laundering measures.
In terms of social responsibility, instances were noted where customer interactions lacked tailored approaches corresponding to individual risk levels, rendering them ineffective. Additionally, Bet365's Early Risk Detection System was deemed insufficient in assessing the impact of interactions on customer behavior, impeding proactive intervention. The company's evaluation methods were also found lacking in assessing customer comprehension of provided information.
Regarding anti-money laundering efforts, Bet365's enhanced customer due diligence and know your customer triggers were deemed ineffective in mitigating money laundering risks. Failures in conducting financial sanctions checks on new customers prior to their initial deposits, coupled with an overreliance on self-verification of customer information, exacerbated the issue. Furthermore, the company's procedure documentation lacked clarity in defining customer risk profiles.
Kay Roberts, Executive Director of Operations at the UK Gambling Commission, emphasized the gravity of these lapses, despite them not reaching the severity of some other recent cases. "We expect high standards from operators in terms of keeping gambling safe, fair and crime-free, and will always take action to correct any failings," Roberts stated, while also cautioning that repeat offenses would lead to escalated regulatory actions against the operator.
This substantial fine underscores the regulatory commitment to enforcing stringent compliance standards within the gambling industry, with a primary focus on safeguarding consumers and upholding integrity across the sector.
By fLEXI tEAM