Gambling Commission fines UK casino operator £1.8 million

The industry watchdog in the UK, the Gambling Commission, has recently issued a heavy fine for a casino operator, as well as giving a formal warning after behaviour by the casino firm was deemed to be inappropriate. 

Which UK casino operator received the large fine?

The business that ended up receiving the fine by the regulatory body was Silverbond Enterprises. This is the firm that is the owner of the prestigious Park Lane Club in Mayfair, in the capital. Alongside having to pay a fine of £1.8 million in total, the Gambling Commission also stipulated other conditions, that have been added to the firm’s licence due to the investigation that took place.

Why did Silverbond Enterprises receive the fine?

There were a number of reasons following the Commission’s investigation as to why Silverbond Enterprises was fined. For example, the watchdog believed that the company had failed to fully recognise potential problem behaviour with customers.

This includes when customers had shown themselves to be violent in the premises, or a customer asking for an increase of the highest amount that could be deposited by cheque, or a customer requesting for his winnings to then be transferred to a personal bank account in order to stop him from gambling further.

There was also money laundering failings, according to the commission. For example, Silverbond Enterprises had not specified how their anti-money laundering policies were going to be implemented, nor did it ensure due diligence of over 61 customers. 

Formal warnings for license holders also issued

In addition to the fine, the commission has also given out formal warnings to two personal management license holders at the club, in order to prove the protection of players who attend.