TGP Europe, which ran a number of websites, has surrendered its licence after being told by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) that it needed to pay a £3.3 million penalty and make significant improvements if it wanted to continue trading in Great Britain.
The fine was for failing to carry out sufficient checks on business partners and breaching anti-money laundering rules.
TGP’s white label business model involved running a gambling business using the branding of other businesses.
A Commission investigation revealed failures to:
• carry out effective due diligence on each entity involved in the ownership of the third party
• carry out due diligence on the source of funds for business arrangements
• sufficiently consider money laundering risks
• sufficiently consider any activity by a third-party that is illegal, in either GB or the territory in which it is conducted.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) breaches included failing to effectively implement enhanced due diligence measures outlined in its own AML policy by not effectively scrutinising information received from a third party.
This is the second time TGP Europe has breached regulations. In 2023 the operator was fined £316,250 for failures including not adequately considering and mitigating money laundering risks posed by business-to-business relationships, and having ineffective policies and procedures in relation to due diligence undertaken prior to white label agreements.
John Pierce, Commission Head of Enforcement, said: “This case involves a gambling company that was unwilling or unable to meet the regulatory standards we expect from our licensees. It is right that they have now exited the British market.
“Following TGP’s exit, several online gambling operators can no longer lawfully offer gambling facilities to consumers located in Great Britain. These sites, previously operating under TGP’s licence, may not provide adequate protection against criminal activity or gambling-related harm and should not be available to GB consumers with immediate effect.”
He continued: “We have already been in contact with several football clubs today to highlight the impact of the withdrawal from the market by TGP and make clear that we will be carrying out checks-without further notice-to ensure these sites remain blocked. We will also conduct ongoing spot checks as necessary to ensure they are not accessible to consumers in Great Britain by any means. Should any of these sites be available to GB consumers, we will take appropriate action.
“It is essential that football clubs play their part in protecting fans and GB consumers who may be exposed to advertising of these sites through their sponsorship arrangements from harm or exploitation. All licensed operators with similar arrangements to TGP should take notice of the action taken in this case.
“We would like to warn consumers that sites operated by TGP are now unlicensed and may not provide protections against criminality or gambling related harm.”
The post TGP Europe Leaves GB Market Following UKGC Investigation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
