Gambling Commission fines AG Communications £1.4m for “wholly unacceptable” failures

Gambling Commission

The UK Gambling Commission has confirmed a whopping £1.4m financial penalty imposed on Aspire Global. 

The sanction has been issued for “wholly unacceptable” failures to take the appropriate action to protect vulnerable customers, as well as not meeting anti-money laundering (AML) requirements. 

Aspire Global, also known as AG Communications, is an operator of white label online casinos with 46 live websites such as Bzeebet, Casino Luck, and Neptune Play. The Malta-based entity has also expanded into sports betting in recent years, including the acquisition of BtoBet. 

Following an investigation into Aspire, the Gambling Commission found that effective systems were not in place to prevent customers losing thousands of pounds in a relatively short period. 

This was exemplified with one user burning through £6,000 in just 48 hours without any meaningful checks being carried out on the betting spree, with no duty of care shown. 

Contact was only made with the customer over the phone when a daily loss threshold of £5,000 had been reached.

The probe against the gambling firm also uncovered an instance of an even greater loss in a matter of hours, which exceeded the apparent loss limit.

In the early hours of the morning, a gambler was able to lose £7,000 in less than five hours. This activity was not flagged or curtailed by the pre-set limits, with a system error attributed for the failings.

Aspire’s poor guardrails were also underlined when a user was able to sign up across several accounts, despite having previously self-excluded.

The serious nature of the damning findings led to a Gambling Commission executive sending a warning to all operators.

John Pierce, director of enforcement at the regulator, lamented Aspire’s failings when he said:

“Its failure to uphold anti-money laundering standards, delays in necessary interventions, and deficiencies in social responsibility measures are wholly unacceptable.

“It is essential that operators not only implement and maintain robust anti-money laundering policies, procedures and controls but also act swiftly and decisively in response to any indications of suspicious activity.”

He continued, “Effective social responsibility measures must be in place at all times to ensure that consumers identified as at risk receive timely and appropriate intervention.

“This case stands as a clear warning to all operators that repeated regulatory failings will result in increasingly stringent enforcement action.”

This is the second time AG Communications has been reprimanded in recent times, after it was hit with regulatory enforcement three years ago. 

In 2022, the company was hit with a £237,600 penalty for AML failings, and once again, it has been found wanting on this issue.

Specifically, it was not able to show that it had carried out the required due diligence checks on six third-party entities which it opened business partnerships with.

As part of the fresh sanction and in agreement with the Commission, Aspire will pay the £1.4m funds to charitable and socially responsible organisations.

To learn more, visit our responsible gambling at casinos page which also offers resources and advice on where to seek help if needed.