The Gambling Commission (GC) has announced the immediate suspension of Spribe’s operating licence for the UK market, citing “serious non-compliance” primarily related to the company’s hosting requirements.
This decisive regulatory action, effective immediately, stops all of the company’s gambling activities within Great Britain until the compliance failures are fully addressed.
The regulator stated that the suspension was issued “on the grounds of sustainability,” emphasizing that Spribe does not currently possess a suitable and appropriate hosting licence necessary to legally support its online gambling operations.
The GC has asserted that this deficiency puts the company in direct contravention of Section 33 of the Gambling Act 2005, which governs the requirements for holding an operating licence.
The Commission has delivered a clear directive to the company, stressing that “all hosting activity must stop immediately” unless and until the required accreditation is successfully acquired. This mandate ensures that no unlicensed activity continues to reach consumers in the British market.
The lack of proper hosting accreditation is viewed by the GC as a critical failure in maintaining the required high standards of integrity and compliance expected of all its licensees.
Spribe is now legally obliged to ensure a clean cessation of services in the UK. The GC expects the operator to promptly notify any and all parties that will be impacted by the resulting service disruptions.
Crucially, Spribe must guarantee that all its operations are halted in line with the terms and conditions of their operating licence until official notification from the Commission permits the resumption of activity.
The Commission’s firm approach in this matter underscores its commitment to robust enforcement against unlicensed gambling activity and regulatory breaches, signaling that technical and operational compliance is non-negotiable for all licensees operating within Great Britain.
The Gambling Commission:
“The Gambling Commission takes a robust approach to unlicensed gambling activity and always expects the highest standards of compliance and integrity from its licensees.”
“We expect the Licensee to promptly notify any parties impacted by service disruptions and to ensure that all operations are halted in line with the conditions of their operating licence until further notice.”
