How to read Gambling Commission sanctions and settlements

The Gambling Commission publishes the outcomes of its enforcement work against licensees. Here is how to read them.

The usual outcomes

• Warning. A formal statement that the licensee failed to meet its obligations.
• Additional licence condition. A requirement placed on the licence, for example to commission an independent audit of anti-money laundering and social responsibility controls.
• Financial penalty. A payment to the Commission. In a settlement, this may be shown as a “payment in lieu of a financial penalty”.
• Costs and public statement. The licensee covers the Commission’s costs and agrees a public statement of the findings.
• Suspension or revocation. The most serious outcomes, which stop or end a licence.

What the findings usually refer to

You will see numbered references:

• Licence condition 12.1.1 covers preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Social Responsibility Code Provision 3.4.3 covers customer interaction: spotting and acting on signs that a customer is at risk of harm.
• Provision 3.4.4 covers financial vulnerability checks.

How we weigh them

On GamCasual an action lowers the licence score by an amount that depends on how recent it is, plus an extra reduction if a licence condition was imposed or if there is a repeat outcome. The rules are on our methodology page and every deduction is shown on the brand page.

We also keep the context. For example, the Commission often notes whether the licensee co-operated and took corrective steps. We report that where the register says so.

What to do as a customer

• Read the summary on the brand page and open the Commission’s record.
• Check the date: the register shows actions for about three years.
• Use the tools: set a deposit limit and keep your deposits modest, whichever brand you choose.
• If you have a complaint, follow the operator’s complaints process and the dispute service it names.

Frequently asked questions

Does a sanction mean a casino is unsafe?

Not by itself. It records what the Commission found in a review, and what the licensee must do. A recent action is a reason to read the facts, not an automatic reason to avoid the brand.

What is the difference between a sanction and a settlement?

A sanction is a decision of the Commission after a review. A settlement is an agreed outcome, often a payment in lieu of a financial penalty plus costs and a public statement.

Where can I see them?

On the regulatory actions tab of a licensee's register entry, and in the Commission's news releases.