PPB Counterparty Services Limited enforcement action
UKGC enforcement action - May 2023

Summary

Financial Penalty

£490,000

What This Means for Consumers

While PPB Counterparty Services Limited remains licensed to operate, this breach directly impacted vulnerable customers. The fact that this isn't the company's only regulatory sanction should be a point of consideration for players.

Full Details

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has taken regulatory action against PPB Counterparty Services Limited, resulting in a Financial Penalty of £490,000. The decision, dated 9 May 2023, addresses a failure to protect vulnerable customers. The operator sent a marketing push notification to devices linked to self-excluded accounts.

An investigation found the company breached its licence conditions. Specifically, it failed to comply with Social Responsibility Code Provision (SRCP 3.5.3), which requires operators to take all reasonable steps to prevent marketing from being sent to self-excluded individuals. PPB Counterparty Services Limited reported the incident itself, stating it occurred on 21 November 2021 due to human error. The operator accepted its actions didn't meet the required standards.

The operator initially appealed the penalty but later agreed to the substitute fine of £490,000 by consent. As part of the action, PPB Counterparty Services Limited also agreed to pay for an independent audit of its marketing processes. This isn't the only regulatory action on the company's record, which raises questions about its compliance history.

Key Findings

  • Financial penalty of £490,000.
  • Breached social responsibility rules by sending marketing to self-excluded customers (SRCP 3.5.3).
  • Action finalised on 9 May 2023 after an initial appeal.
  • Required to arrange an independent audit of its marketing procedures at its own expense.

Timeline

Enforcement action timeline — Source: UKGC Regulatory Actions Register
Action Date 9 May 2023

Related Operator

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Written by

Regulatory Affairs Editor

LLB (Hons) in Law, University of Bristol. Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Regulation, University of Reading.

James has spent 12 years in gambling compliance and regulatory technology, previously working as Senior Compliance Analyst at a UK-based regulatory consultancy advising licensed operators on LCCP adherence.