The operator was ordered to pay a record amount of money after it was found that it had failed in its social responsibility and anti-money-laundering responsibilities.
The group will pay over 13 million pounds for failures within its LC International limited online arm, as well as over 3 million pounds for failures at its land-based business.
This was not the first time that the Commission had had to take action against Entain over licence violations.
Prior to the group’s change of name to Entain, it was handed a penalty package of over five million dollars for systematic failures related to social responsibility and anti-money laundering measures.
Rhodes warned that the removal of the licence to operate in Great Britain would be a very real possibility if further breeches were identified within the Entain group.
There were serious failures that resulted in the largest enforcement outcome to date. Operators are reminded never to place commercial considerations over compliance.
This is the second time that this operator has fallen foul of rules to make gambling safer.
The removal of their licence to operate will be a very real possibility if they continue to violate the rules. Consumers deserve better and we expect better.
Entain admitted that certain legacy systems and processes that support the operations of its British business were not in line with the evolving regulatory expectations of the Commission.
The group stated that it entered into a regulatory settlement with the Commission in order to bring the matter to a close and avoid further costly and lengthy legal proceedings.
The Commission did not find any evidence of criminal spend within Entain’s operations.
The group said that the issues raised by the Commission are related to the period between December 2019 and October 2020 and that Entain has introduced changes in the area of safer gambling.
The launch of the Advanced Responsibility and Care (ARC) programme was noted by Entain. Individually tailored for each customer, the programme uses artificial intelligence and operates in real-time.
The initial trials of ARC in the UK have shown a risk assessment accuracy of over 80%, a 120% increase in the use of safer gambling tools by those most at risk, and a 30% reduction in the number of customers increasing their risk levels.
The Advanced Safer Gambling Standard was awarded to Entain in May of this year, having demonstrated the highest standards of player protection and social responsibility for its online and land-based gambling businesses in Great Britain.
As part of the settlement, Entain also agreed to appoint a board sponsor to oversee the implementation of any further improvements identified by the original 2020 compliance assessments, as well as undertake an independent audit of the relevant policies and procedures at a future date.
The group said that the settlement amount was already provided for in its financial statements.
Summary:
Entain has been ordered by the UK’s Gambling Commission to pay a record amount of money for social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures. Entain will pay over 20 million dollars for failures within its online arm, as well as over 3 million dollars for failures at its land-based business.