Gambling Commission Will Not Protect Players Impacted By Brands Exiting The UK

Several years ago had you said that the UK gambling market would begin to pale in comparison to other smaller European territories and that the UK Gambling Commission would no longer be deemed a safe regulator for online gambling operators you would have been met with criticism or even derision.

However, that is the reality the UK gambling market is facing today. With the rising costs of advertising, decreasing player values and the erratic and heavy-handed enforcement of regulations by the Gambling Commission several operators have left the market either fully or in part, while many others are weighing up their options.

✓UKGC Publicly Posts Exit Guidelines

The situation was dire enough that the UKGC posted an article on the official Gambling Commission website headed “Gambling Commission issues reminder of expectations to licensees leaving the market”.

In this guideline, they demand what one would expect from a regulator looking to protect its constituents. They require a comprehensive plan be presented by the exiting brand which covers ensuring funds are available for both withdrawals and deposit refunds, clear timelines for the exit, clear communication plans including post-exit, ensuring all local liabilities have been cleared and much more.

It is worth noting that had the UKGC followed their own communication roadmap in clarifying rules and regulations, providing timelines for implementations and simply been open to dialogue with their licence holders they may not be dealing with the current exits and continued to be viewed as a premier gambling destination.

✓Commission Throws UK Players To The Wolves

The most jarring aspect of the posted guideline, however, comes at the end of the post. For better or for worse the UK Gambling Commission has planted its flag on one immovable fact – they do what they do to protect the British people.

However, the statements made under the heading of “Advice to Consumers” in their guideline completely contradicts their longstanding party line. In fact, it seems that the UKGC is washing its hands entirely of any responsibility towards players affected by brands exiting the market.

The Commission is very clear that it is up to players to:

“Check the level of protection for their money that the business has in place. Money staked or deposited with a gambling business is not protected by the government in the way that personal bank accounts are.”

While the above seems reasonable on its own, the reality is that it is nothing more than the jab that sets up the following body blow:

“We will not be arbitrating on any disputes that might arise between a licensee and its consumers.”

As an institution that has done egregious things in the name of protecting its players, this is a shocking about-face. It means that all the licence requirements around financial protection, statements that the courts will protect UK players and general statements for the existence of the Gambling Commission are all nonsense.

With this statement on intent the Commission has declared itself nothing more than an extension of the tax division focused on getting money in through fees and fines with little to no real regard for the support and protection of the British public.