UK Gambling Commission to Crackdown on Unlicensed Operator Collaborations in 2025
In a significant move to safeguard the integrity of online gambling, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) announced plans to enforce stricter measures against suppliers allied with unregulated and unlicensed operators starting in 2025.
- The UKGC is intensifying efforts to combat unlicensed gambling activities by targeting suppliers.
- Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes announced the use of undercover test purchases, among other investigative tools.
- The initiative aims to effectively disrupt supplies to unlicensed operators, threatening immediate license suspensions or revocations for non-compliant parties.
- This stance aligns with a broader European crackdown on illegal gambling, focusing on “upstream disruption”.
- The announcement was supported by Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) CEO Grainne Hurst.
- The Commission is preparing for potential regulatory hurdles amid upcoming gambling reforms.
In a decisive stand against illegal online gambling collaborations, Andrew Rhodes, the UKGC’s CEO, outlined a future where suppliers found aiding unlicensed operations would face swift, stringent punitive measures. At the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) summit, Rhodes underscored the Commission’s seriousness about extinguishing the channels facilitating unregulated gambling by 2025. However, what does this mean for the industry?
A Stern Warning for Unlicensed Operators
At the heart of Rhodes’ message was a clear warning to those dependent on third-party suppliers: “Whatever they are supplying you with, stops – immediately.” His comments come in the wake of the UKGC placing Evolution’s license under review for its games being accessed by unlicensed operators. This move has emboldened the Commission’s resolve.
Rhodes cautioned about the repercussions of non-compliance. These could include immediate suspension or revocation of licenses for the operators and suppliers. This stance introduces a significant shift toward penalising those indirectly involved with unregulated gambling activities. It could also potentially reshape partnerships and supplier agreements within the industry.
Upstream Disruption and Industry Challenges
“Upstream disruption” was a term Rhodes repeatedly used. This signifies the UKGC’s strategy of targeting the source of illegal gambling rather than just its manifestations. This includes significant investment in battling unlicensed football betting, aligning with a broader European initiative to choke off the lifeblood of illegal online gambling networks.
Moreover, Rhodes and Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst highlighted the combined effort and commitment required from the industry to avoid entanglements with unlawful operations. The approach reflects a broader, more proactive strategy. It is hoped that this will pre-emptively neutralise legal gambling’s integrity and reliability threats.
Looking Ahead at Gambling Regulation
With upcoming gambling regulation changes, the UKGC foreshadows more complex challenges. Discussions around the Statutory Levy and creating an Ombudsman indicate the evolving landscape of gambling oversight in the UK. Rhodes warned against “absolutism” in industry debates. Instead, he advocates for a balanced view. One that remains focused on the core issues of protecting consumers and eradicating illegal gambling networks.
As we move closer to these changes, the industry stands at a critical juncture. Will suppliers heed the warning and recalibrate their operations to align with the UKGC’s tightening grip? Or will they risk facing the immediate and possibly irrevocable consequences of non-compliance? As the Commission prepares to unveil findings from its first comprehensive black market study, all eyes are on the unfolding narrative of a rigorously regulated future for online gambling in the UK.
Peter is our Editor-in-Chief at Gamblingauthority. He has more than eigth years of experience from the iGaming industry and is a valuable resource for everything related to online casinos.
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