Regulating authorities in the UK request increased partnerships to combat unlawful gambling activities
In the realm of online gambling, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has taken a firm stance against unsavoury practices, imposing significant penalties on multiple operators in 2023.
Most recently, in September, the online casino MrQ was fined £700,000 for allegedly violating numerous guidelines. This penalty follows a series of fines issued by the UKGC, including a record-breaking £19.2 billion (approximately €22.2 billion) fine imposed on William Hill in March for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering measures.
The UKGC's commitment to combating unsavory gambling practices is evident in these fines, which are part of a broader effort to ensure a safe and fair online gambling environment.
Tim Miller, Executive Policy Director of the UKGC, delivered a speech at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), emphasizing the importance of cooperation among gambling authorities. With more companies holding licenses in multiple countries and operating across borders, international cooperation is crucial.
Miller highlighted the international expansion of online gambling as presenting new challenges. Different legal frameworks in countries could lead to gambling operators being treated on a country-by-country basis. To address this, the UKGC has seen a 46% reduction in traffic to the largest illegal gambling websites, a result of its efforts against illegal gambling.
Current efforts towards international cooperation among gambling regulatory bodies focus on fostering collaboration, information sharing, and harmonizing regulatory standards. A key example is the "Regulating the Game 2025" conference held in Sydney, which gathered global leaders in gambling law and regulation to discuss compliance, public policy, crypto gambling, responsible gambling, and innovation in regulatory approaches.
Organizations such as the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) play a vital role in reinforcing regulatory standards across multiple jurisdictions. EGBA members, collectively holding hundreds of online gambling licenses across 21 European countries, participate actively in initiatives related to anti-money laundering, safer gambling, and compliance.
Regulatory bodies globally also emphasize harmonized Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) practices aligned with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations and EU AML directives. This includes adopting risk-based approaches, ongoing customer due diligence, and enhanced scrutiny of high-risk players or jurisdictions.
International cooperation efforts are currently characterized by global conferences facilitating dialogue among regulators, pan-European associations driving policy advocacy and harmonization, and adherence to internationally recognized compliance frameworks to mitigate risks related to money laundering, problem gambling, and consumer protection in online gambling environments.
[1] Regulating the Game 2025 conference, Sydney, March 10-13, 2025. [2] Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations. [3] EU AML directives. [4] European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA).
- Given the UK Gambling Commission's (UKGC) ongoing efforts to combat unsavory practices in the gambling industry, a question arises: What implications might this have for the finance and business sectors associated with online casinos and gambling?
- As Tim Miller, Executive Policy Director of the UKGC, emphasized during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), international cooperation among gambling authorities is crucial, especially considering the expansion of online gambling businesses across various countries and jurisdictions, such as those aligned with the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), adhering to financial recommendations by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and EU AML directives.
