The UK Gambling Commission has handed Gamesys Operations Ltd., which operates online casinos such as ballycasino.co.uk and jackpotjoy.com, a £6 million ($7.6 million) fine for ineffective social responsibility and inadequate anti-money-laundering measures across its 16 online casinos.
A May 2022 assessment by the UKGC revealed multiple flaws in the company’s operations. Social responsibility failures included insufficient measures to engage with customers at risk of experiencing gambling-related issues. One customer was only engaged after losing nearly £10,000 and the communications included game and promotion recommendations rather than support for responsible gambling.
Additionally, the commission criticized Gamesys for inadequate AML protocols. The operator permitted substantial deposits without proper AML checks, over-relying on third-party data or customer assurances. The oversights occurred several times, with customers depositing tens of thousands of pounds over periods ranging from three to six months without adequate due diligence.
Kay Roberts, UKGC’s executive director of operations, emphasized the commitment to ensuring that gambling is fair, safe and crime-free.
“We take this responsibility extremely seriously, and whenever we find failures in policies and procedures, then the business can expect significant regulatory action,” she said in a statement.
In the summary of the sanctions against Gamesys, the UKGC acknowledged the operator’s cooperation and efforts to rectify the shortfalls. While the commission did not find evidence of criminal funds being deposited by customers, the action serves as a message to the gambling industry about the need to maintain rigorous social responsibility and AML frameworks.
Besides the financial penalty, the UKGC is requiring Gamesys to undergo a third-party audit to ensure it effectively implements AML and safer gambling policies.
