Gamesys has been fined £6m over welfare findings despite receiving top safety standards from a charity. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Pass the ball
Online gambling operator Gamesys has been fined £6 million ($7.6 million) for failing on welfare despite having the highest safety standards.
The UK Gambling Commission fined the operator for breaches between November 2021 and July 2022. While these breaches were occurring, though, GamCare, a UK charity that provides free support to those affected by gambling, awarded Gamesys a safety certificate Advanced level 3.
One of Gamesys’ violations involved not interacting with players who lost tens of thousands of pounds. Customers can also avoid the operator’s anti-money laundering measures and spend a lot of money without checking first.
One player deposited more than £14,500 ($18,300) in 28 weeks
In one case, a player deposited more than £14,500 ($18,300) over 28 weeks. Another managed to deposit nearly 19,000 pounds ($24,000) in more than six months.
In order for Gamesys to receive the highest safety rating, GamCare requires the company to not have “significant vulnerabilities” and to have a “broad range of safer gambling measures.”
Charitable criticism
Gamesys was founded in 2001 by web developer Noel Hayden, and reportedly failed to report to GamCare during the evaluation period.
According to the charity, it is up to gambling operators to inform themselves if they are being investigated by the regulator.
A GamCare spokesperson said: “We take these matters very seriously.”
Nick Harvey, head of external affairs at the charity Gambling with Lives, believes it is “wrong for charities funded by the gambling industry to hand out prizes to gambling companies.”
In his view, charities should focus solely on reducing the harms associated with gambling.
New sounds
The fine imposed by the UK Gambling Commission comes just months after the regulator welcomed seven new commissioners.
However, not everyone received the news positively.
“They are not fit for purpose.”
Andrew Black, co-founder of UK sports betting site Betfair, has expressed his concerns, claiming they are “not fit for purpose” due to their lack of experience in the gambling industry.
In November, Black said they would have a “narrow view” and that they would “never develop the understanding they need to regulate our industry in a compassionate way.”
