WHG (International) Limited
The UKGC took significant regulatory action against WHG (International) Limited on 28 March 2023. The operator agreed to a regulatory settlement that includes a payment of £12.5 million for serious failures in its safer gambling and anti-money laundering processes.
Summary
Financial Penalty
£12.5m
What This Means for Consumers
WHG (International) Limited is still licensed to operate in the UK. However, these findings show serious past failures in protecting customers and preventing financial crime, which is a concern for consumers.
Full Details
On 28 March 2023, the Gambling Commission announced a Regulatory Settlement with WHG (International) Limited. The operator will make a payment of £12.5 million in lieu of a financial penalty. A regulatory review found the company failed to meet its obligations for safer gambling and preventing money laundering between May 2020 and October 2021. This is one of the largest enforcement packages issued by the regulator, reflecting the seriousness of the breaches.
The investigation identified several breaches of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP). These included failures in how it interacts with customers to minimise gambling harm (SRCP 3.4.1) and weaknesses in its anti-money laundering risk assessments (Licence Condition 12.1.1). The UKGC also found the operator didn't properly identify linked accounts held by the same individual (SRCP 3.9.1). As part of the settlement, WHG (International) Limited will have new conditions added to its licence to address these issues.
Key Findings
- Agreed to a regulatory settlement including a payment of £12.5 million.
- Action taken on 28 March 2023 for failures between May 2020 and October 2021.
- Breaches included failures in safer gambling customer interaction (SRCP 3.4.1).
- Failings found in anti-money laundering risk assessments and procedures (Licence Condition 12.1.1).
Timeline
| Action Date | 28 March 2023 |
|---|