UKGC issues stern warning to non-compliant iGaming operators

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a public warning to domestic iGaming operators who fail to complete or submit regulatory returns as per pre-fixed deadlines. 

News comes by way of an official press release from the UKGC, following a flurry of fines against non-compliant operators. According to the regulatory body, these firms were punished for failing to submit regulatory returns within the “required timeframes for each type of activity for which they hold a license.”

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Over 10 iGaming companies have been hit with fines worth up to £750 during the last six months – with each guilty party admonished for ignoring strict legal policy.

Companies culpable of these offences have been found to miss future deadlines, despite being notified of potential repercussions far in advance. 

Word of these repeat submission failures is derived from a statement by UKGC director of enforcement John Pierce: "Despite early engagement and the issuing of advice notices, further failures to comply with the regulatory returns process were identified in these cases.”

Pierce continued to reaffirm the importance of complying with regulatory obligations, saying: “Operators are expected to understand their reporting obligations and must ensure returns are submitted on time via our online portal.”

Operators identified for repeat transgressions shall be struck by intensified sanctions, as outlined by Pierce: “Repeated breaches and persistent non-compliance is likely to result in escalating enforcement action.”

The UKGC updated its License Conditions Code of Practice on 1 July 2024, with ‘License Condition 15.3.1 - general and regulatory returns’ altered to require that all licensees submit regulatory returns on a quarterly basis. Prior to this change, operators sent annual returns. 

License holders may submit regulatory returns via the UKGC eServices portal until 28 April 2025. Operators who submit a return beyond this date will be deemed in violation of the current legal code.

Publication of this advisory comes in the wake of a hectic month for the UKGC. Recently, operators were cautioned against utilising AI ‘deepfakes’, offering illegal game genres and failing to adhere to anti-money laundering (AML) stipulations. 

However, a Sky News reporter has this week fallen victim to an AI deepfake plot – as a fraudulent advertisement campaign saw tech and science reporter, Mickey Carroll, at its center.

The advertisement purported to offer money to anyone who owned an iPhone, courtesy of a “new app” from the technological powerhouse. No such app exists, of course. Instead, links within the advertisement direct users to offshore and unlicensed iGaming platforms. 

As offshore platforms who engage in this type of black-hat operation do not operate under the jurisdiction of the UKGC, they cannot be directly punished by Britain’s industry overseer. By the same token, players who register on these websites are not protected by vital UK player safety laws.

Therefore, it is in the best interests of licensed operators to abide by regulatory return requirements. Doing so maintains crucial player protection measures that undoubtedly increase customer numbers – benefitting all parties.