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Mansion’s Business Model and Operations Under Review by the UKGC
By Jeff Osienya Jun 03, 2020 IndustryAfter the UK Gambling Commission disclosed that it was ‘looking at’ Mansion’s European and Asian brands, the gambling company lost its shirt sponsorship deal with EPL’s soccer club, AFC Bournemouth.Mansion Europe and M88, Mansion Group’s largely Asian-facing online casino and sports betting site, are purportedly facing investigations by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). So far, however, the specifics of these investigations aren’t clear yet. The only information being relayed by parties close to the matter is that the UKGC is currently taking a closer look at various aspects of the model and operations of M88 and Mansion Europe. Nevertheless, the operating licenses held by the subsidiaries of the Mansion Group haven’t been revoked by the regulator.
The closest hint that could perhaps shed light on UKGC’s investigations is a report published by a UK media house. The said report indicates that UK’s gambling ombudsman is putting MansionBet’s VIP scheme under a microscope after one of the agents at Mansion was quoted telling a player that the website wasn’t too pumped about compelling customers to disclose their source of funds used for gambling. According to the UK media report, the agent said; “but we have to do it because the UK gambling regulators make us do it.”
Investigation Fallout
After reports of this investigation were disclosed, EPL soccer club AFC Bournemouth, announced that it will not be renewing its Mansion88 shirt sponsorship deal. It was a £5 million a year deal which expired recently, on 31st May.
The Premier League soccer first partnered with M88 right before the 2017/18 season and since then, the M88 logo has been printed at the front of the training kit as well as home, away and third shirts of the Bournemouth team. Moreover, in 2019, the Bournemouth extended its shirt sponsorship contract with the online gambling operator for one year, in a bid to use the brand to draw more soccer fans and bettors from Asia closer to home.
In the contract termination statement, the soccer club was grateful for Mansion88’s support throughout their 3-year partnership but indicated that it would instead use a different kit for the rest of the EPL season, which is scheduled to resume on 17th June. But then again, AFC Bournemouth will still maintain the current sleeve sponsorship with Mansion, the parent company of M88. As for the shirts, reports indicate that in case the soccer club doesn’t strike another deal with a new commercial sponsor, it could instead feature a warming message of gratitude to frontline COVID-19 medical workers for the remainder of the season.
Mansion Group is No Stranger to Regulators’ Heat
Looking back at Mansion Group’s history, this isn’t the first time the sports betting company has come under fire for being on the wrong side of a gaming watchdog. In 2017, the Mansion Group was slapped with a €150,000 fine by the Netherlands Gambling Authority after it illegally accepted Dutch players on its online platform.
Meanwhile, in an unprecedented move, Mansion88 recently announced departure from Malaysia and Cambodia with absolutely no explanation of why it did so. Gaming market experts however indicate that the Malaysian and Cambodian markets are too small a fish to fry, compared to the company’s booming business in Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
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