The previous biggest fine of £17 million was handed to Entain last year. Problematic practises in Britain’s multi-billion pound gambling industry have forced the regulator to issue several large fines over the last year and a half. Shares in 888 traded down 1% in early deals. “We found serious non-compliance issues around safer gambling measures … and also anti-money laundering control failings across the company,” Rhodes said. The regulator said the issues at the three companies in the William Hill group – owned by online gaming and betting operator 888 – were so “widespread and alarming” that it seriously considered suspending the firm’s licence.īut Gambling Commission Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes said the company was only allowed to continue to operate after it recognised its failings and worked to implement improvements quickly.
BRITAIN’S Gambling Commission has fined William Hill betting group £19.2M ($23.7M) – the biggest penalty ever issued by the regulator – for failing to protect consumers and stop money laundering.