Betfair Paid £635k After 'Special Measures' Period

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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that major gambling operator Betfair was placed under "special measures" by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for a five-month period in 2021, resulting in the company divesting £635,123 to charity.

The disclosure, dated 19 May 2025, provides a rare glimpse into a regulatory process that allows operators to address compliance failings under strict supervision, away from public view and without formal enforcement action like a fine.

What are 'Special Measures'?

For consumers, understanding an operator's regulatory history is crucial. This FOI response shows that significant compliance issues can be addressed without being publicised.

The UKGC explained that the special measures process is an alternative to a formal investigation. It is used when an operator accepts its failings and the Commission has a "high level of confidence" that it can become compliant quickly. Key conditions include:

• Immediate action to mitigate risks to consumers.
• No history of long-term non-compliance.
• No evidence of significant consumer harm.
• An offer to divest any profit made from the failings.

Failure to meet the terms during the special measures period would trigger a formal regulatory investigation.

Betfair's Case: The Details

The FOI response confirms the following key details regarding Betfair:

• Placed in Special Measures: 15 January 2021
• Measures Lifted: 23 June 2021
• Reason for Lifting: Betfair provided "sufficient information it was implementing effective policies and procedures aimed at keeping gambling fair, safe and crime free."
• Financial Outcome: The operator divested £635,123 to charities that support the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms.

Because the process was successful, no formal agreements were needed to lift the measures, and no public fine was issued.

What the UKGC Refused to Disclose

While the FOI revealed the 2021 special measures period, the UKGC refused to provide much of the other information requested, citing various exemptions. This lack of transparency is significant for consumers seeking a full picture of an operator's record.

The Commission refused to:

• Confirm or deny other instances: The UKGC would not say if Betfair had been placed in special measures on any other occasion, citing the Section 31 (Law Enforcement) exemption. It argued that confirming or denying this could prejudice its regulatory functions.
• Provide the latest audit date: Citing the same Section 31 exemption, the regulator refused to disclose the date of Betfair's most recent compliance audit, stating it could create a "misleading narrative" about the operator.
• Name third-party auditors: The identity of the independent test houses used for Betfair's audits was withheld under Section 43 (Commercial Interests).
• Provide complaint numbers: The UKGC stated it is not an ombudsman and does not act on individual complaints, instead using the information to inform its regulatory approach. Therefore, it did not provide a figure for complaints made against Betfair.

Significance for Consumers

This disclosure reveals that a major operator can undergo a significant regulatory intervention for compliance failings without any public announcement. While the special measures process is designed to raise standards quickly, the accompanying secrecy means consumers may be unaware of an operator's past issues.

The UKGC's refusal to confirm or deny whether other such interventions have occurred means that a consumer's view of an operator's compliance history may be incomplete. The £635,123 divestment shows that the failings addressed were serious enough to have generated substantial profit, yet the entire process remained confidential until this FOI response.