As spring approaches a pandemic-bound work, regulators at the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) have been keeping themselves busy by issuing In Touch Games with a £3.4 million ($4.5 million UDS) fine for failing to comply with social responsibility and anti-money laundering regulations. Though the UK-based operator will be doing plenty of work to get back in compliance, company officials will, however, retain that coveted UK Remote Operator’s License.
Word of the regulatory action was posted on the UKGC’s website in suitably bureaucratic language for an action that was based, mostly, on the company’s actions in vetting new customers and informing them of UK gambling policies. The action was broken down into three categories, Anti-Money Laundering Failings, Social Responsibility Failings, and Fair and transparent terms and practices failings. Transgressions by the company included lax screening of player funds, especially when cryptocurrencies were involved; allowing players who may have had gambling problems to deposit funds; and not providing details of bonus offers in a clear manner.
Though the company will be retaining its license, it will also be shelling out several million in fines. In Touch Games will also be forced to conduct an internal audit by an external party as a condition of continued operation in the UK. The company also received an official warning from the UKGC.
In the UKGC’s official announcement, Richard Watson, Commission Executive Director summed up the situation saying, “Through our challenging compliance and enforcement activity we will continue our work to raise standards in the industry and continue to hold failing operators to account.”
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