The UK Gambling Commission is set to target unlicensed gambling activity after the regulator raised concerns regarding illegal gambling platforms providing casino entertainment supplied by licensed gaming operators.
According to the Gambling Commission, unregulated gambling websites available to British customers frequently target vulnerable individuals, including at-risk players who have already self-excluded through GAMSTOP.
The Gambling Commission issued a warning that illegal platforms lack anti-money laundering (AML) controls and social responsibility, potentially leaving players at risk of fraud, unfair practices and data breaches.
Moreover, the Commission has concluded that third-party resellers who re-distribute gaming content from licensed gaming operators are frequently breaching contractual obligations, thus putting consumers at risk.
From here, the regulator urged licensed B2B operators, including companies that provide online slots and live casino games, to be careful and actively monitor their business partnerships and, consequently, terminate any agreements where an illegal activity or practices are identified.
The Commission encourages operators to directly engage with the regulator whenever they notice an illegal activity, outlining specific measures to prevent potential future breaches. In addition, the regulator also said that it will use a proactive approach, including test purchasing, in order to identify and address potential illegal activities.
Lastly, the Commission said that failure to address these issues would directly put operators at risk, being that anyone who won’t adhere to the law, stands to lose their UK license altogether.
This news comes after the recent investigation by the Commission into Evolution Gaming one month ago in December 2024, after the leading provider’s content was found on illegal online gaming platforms targeting UK Consumers.
Once the news broke out, Evolution stated that the company had removed the games in question and integrated advanced IP-blocking measures to further prevent illegal operators from accessing their games.
At the moment of writing, the investigation is ongoing and we are yet to see what will the UK Gambling Commission decide.
