UK Gambling Commission targets payment, advertising and game supply services
Enforcement & compliance1 min read
The UK Gambling Commission said it is widening action against illegal gambling to target payment services, advertising channels and suppliers to unlicensed operators. Since January, it has referred more than £40 million in suspected criminal funds to partner agencies to assess possible freezes; URL referrals to search engines rose from 147,721 in the first quarter to 7.7 million in the second.
The UKGC has expanded its action against illegal gambling to include payment systems, advertising channels and game and service suppliers serving unlicensed operators. The strategy targets services and suppliers that enable illegal operators to function and attract users. The targets include payment facilitators, advertising platforms and channels, and businesses that supply games or provide access to betting.
The regulator said it has referred more than £40m in suspected criminal funds to partner agencies since January for consideration of possible asset freezes. UKGC referrals of URLs to search engines rose from 147,721 in the first quarter to 7.7 million in the second, according to the regulator.
UKGC executive director of operations Sue Young warned that the strategy would pursue illegal gambling operations, their businesses and their money. The plan was presented at the start of Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, which runs until 13 November.