Gambling operators fined more than £25m by regulators in Q1 2020

Gambling operators were fined more than £25m in Q1 2020 by various online regulators, according to the latest data from Gambling Industry Fines.

Five companies were on the receiving end of penalties reaching a total of £25.3m from January to March.

The first fine of the year in January, worth £2m, was handed to Blackrock Media by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) as the firm was deemed to be “servicing unauthorised transactions”.

In February, GVC Australia received a fine for £106,000 after two of its subsidiary brands – Ladbrokes and Neds – were found guilty of offering betting bonuses to customers who had recently opened new betting accounts, which is an offence under Australian law.

Source: Gambling Industry Fines

In the same month, William Hill-owned Mr Green was issued a £3m fine from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for systemic failings to stop money laundering and problem gambling.

Moving into March, Betway was dealt a record fine worth £11.6m by the UKGC for accepting stolen money from VIP customers who displayed signs of gambling addiction. One bettor lost more than £4m while wagering with the operator.

Finally, Kindred Group subsidiary Spooniker received a warning and a fine worth SEK100m (£8.5m) from the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) for offering customers financial incentives which were in breach of the new Swedish gambling legislation.

Source: Gambling Industry Fines