Background
James Hartley brings 12 years of experience in gambling compliance and regulatory technology to Saferwager. He previously worked as Senior Compliance Analyst at a UK-based regulatory consultancy, advising licensed operators on adherence to the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP). Before that, he held a policy research role at a Westminster-based public affairs firm covering DCMS gambling reform.
At Saferwager, James leads coverage of UKGC enforcement actions, licence condition changes, and regulatory policy developments. His work focuses on translating complex regulatory decisions into clear, accessible analysis that helps consumers, compliance professionals, and journalists understand what enforcement actions mean in practice.
Credentials
LLB (Hons) in Law, University of Bristol. Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Regulation, University of Reading.
Areas of Focus
- UKGC enforcement actions
- Licence conditions and codes of practice
- Regulatory policy changes
- Operator compliance
Articles by James Hartley
UKGC: Old Sanctions Found in Web Archives
A UKGC Freedom of Information response reveals that regulatory sanctions older than three years are removed from its website but can be found in public web archives. The regulator directs the publi...
UKGC: Lotto Draw Records Not Held
A Freedom of Information request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission does not hold official records for individual National Lottery draws. The finding clarifies the regulator's oversight r...
UKGC: We Don't Hold Specific Bet Data
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission does not collect or hold data on the total amounts wagered on specific sports betting markets. The regulator confirmed...
UKGC Withholds Metropolitan Casinos Complaint Data
The UK Gambling Commission has refused to confirm or deny holding complaint data about Metropolitan Casinos, citing law enforcement exemptions. The decision highlights the conflict between regulato...
FOI Reveals LSE's Role in Shaping Gambling Survey
A Freedom of Information request has revealed documents detailing the London School of Economics' feedback on the UK Gambling Commission's new national gambling survey. The release shows a collabor...
UKGC Withholds Victoria Gate Casino Suspension Details
The UK Gambling Commission has refused to release documents detailing the reasons behind the 26-day licence suspension of Victoria Gate Casino. Citing a 'law enforcement' exemption, the regulator a...
UKGC Lacks Historical Gambling Premises Data
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission does not keep historical records of licensed gambling premises. This data gap makes it difficult to track long-term trends i...
UKGC Withholds Everton Sponsorship Correspondence
The UK Gambling Commission has refused a Freedom of Information request for its correspondence with Everton FC concerning the club's sponsor, Stake.com. The regulator confirmed it holds the informa...
UKGC Withholds 2025 National Lottery Sales Data
The UK Gambling Commission has refused to release current National Lottery sales data, citing commercial sensitivity. While providing data from 2015-2024, the regulator deemed 2025 figures a 'trade...
NetBet Fined £650,000 for AML and Safety Failures
NetBet Enterprises Limited will pay a £650,000 regulatory settlement after a UK Gambling Commission investigation found serious breaches in its anti-money laundering and safer gambling controls. T...
UKGC Withholds Info on Casumo Jackpot Compliance
The UK Gambling Commission has refused to confirm or deny whether it holds information on the compliance of a new jackpot product on the Casumo website. Citing a law enforcement exemption, the regu...
UKGC: No Policy on Device-Aided Cheating
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission holds no specific policies or guidance on cheating with electronic devices or card counting. The regulator also withheld int...
UKGC Lacks Data on Operator Payouts to Crime Victims
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission does not maintain a central list of payments made by operators to victims of crime. This lack of aggregated data makes it di...
UKGC Can't Track London Venue Growth
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission does not hold historical data on the number of new gambling venues in London. The regulator stated this information is the r...
UKGC Can't Track Crime Victim Payouts
The UK Gambling Commission has revealed it cannot track the total amount of money paid to victims of crime from operator fines. In response to a Freedom of Information request, the regulator stated...
Maple Ventures Pays £360k for AML & SR Breaches
Online gambling operator Maple International Ventures Limited will pay £360,000 after a UKGC investigation found serious anti-money laundering and social responsibility failings. The breaches incl...
UKGC Withholds Status of Evolution AB Licence Review
The UK Gambling Commission has refused to disclose the status of its licence review into major games supplier Evolution AB. Citing law enforcement exemptions, the regulator's silence suggests a com...
UKGC Withholds Recent Suicide Notification Data
The UK Gambling Commission has declined to release up-to-date figures on suicide notifications from operators, stating the data is intended for future annual publication. The regulator also withhel...
UKGC Data: Just Two New Casino Licences in 2023
A Freedom of Information disclosure from the Gambling Commission shows that only two new land-based casino operating licences were granted in 2023. This data points to a highly stable and slow-grow...
UKGC: No Data on EuroMillions Sales
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission does not hold detailed sales data for EuroMillions tickets across all participating countries. This highlights the complex r...
Enforcement Coverage
| Date | Operator | Action Type | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Dec 2025 | PPB Counterparty Services Limited | Regulatory Settlement | £2m |
| 17 Dec 2025 | Betfair Casino Limited | Regulatory Settlement | £2m |
| 24 Nov 2025 | Biddle Jack Robert | License Revocation | - |
| 20 Nov 2025 | J And J Norman LLP | Financial Penalty | £1,155 |
| 11 Nov 2025 | Deeside Bookmakers Limited | Financial Penalty | £750 |
| 10 Nov 2025 | Playbook Gaming Limited | Financial Penalty | £250,000 |
| 5 Nov 2025 | Kevins Cloth Emporium Limited | Financial Penalty | £450 |
| 30 Oct 2025 | Videoslots Limited | Financial Penalty | £650,000 |
| 13 Oct 2025 | Stay on Course Ltd | Financial Penalty | £570 |
| 22 Sep 2025 | Platinum Gaming Limited | Financial Penalty | £10m |