UKGC penalises five UK land-based casinos

Added: March 30, 2021

The UKGC has revealed that it sanctioned five separate land-based casinos in the country after it discovered that they were committing various breaches relating to safer gambling, anti-money laundering and social responsibility.

These five casinos were said to have been failing at adhering to social responsibility rules and conditions which had been imposed by the UKGC, which led to the Commission reviewing their licences.

Moreover, a settlement worth £260,000 was given to Clockfair and Shaftesbury Casino, $377,340 for Double Diamond Gaming and £202,500 for Les Croupiers Casino, while A&S Leisure Group was given a warning and will now have to pay a fine worth £377,340.

All of the casinos who were issued a payment instead of being given a financial penalty have pledged to adhere to a programme which will see them improve in this field, according to the Commission. This programme makes sure that all controls and plans of action are undertaken and successfully implemented.

Furthermore, this spans across updates and reviews to AML as well as undergoing social responsibility strategies, the addition of indicators of risk in order to point out problem gambling, updates for record keeping policies, as well as training staff to make sure that they are aware and well-informed when it comes to these policies.

Commission executive director Richard Watson stated:

“These failings were identified as part of our ongoing drive to raise standards across the whole gambling industry. Every single operator must ensure they are following rules that are in place to make gambling safer and prevent it being a source of crime.”

The Commission’s inquiry revealed a neglect in the identification of players who are at risk of problem gambling and failure to implement the relevant AML measures at Clockfair and Shaftesbury Casino.

On the other hand, Les Croupiers Casino was handed a penalty because of its shortfall when it comes to imposing effective and useful safer gambling controls, and Double Diamond Gaming was revealed to have failed in the identification of players showing signs of problem gambling.

Additionally, A&S Leisure Group was revealed to have been unable to launch and keep up with risk-sensitive procedures and controls that will fend off money laundering as well as terrorist financing, failed to make sure that these policies were being carried out successfully, and did not interact or approach any of the customers who have possibly gone through huge losses or harm.

UK Gambling Commission, UKGC