FOI Reveals Dafabet's UK Operator
UKGC directs public to its register to verify gambling licences, clarifying the operator behind the Dafabet brand.
A Freedom of Information request has confirmed that Asian BGE (Isle of Man) Limited is the licensed operator for the Dafabet brand in Great Britain. The UK Gambling Commission's response highlights the importance of its public register, a tool for consumers to verify the legitimacy of any gambling website.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has confirmed that the operator responsible for the Dafabet brand in Great Britain is Asian BGE (Isle of Man) Limited.
The request, dated 2 June 2023, asked the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) directly if it was the licence holder for Dafabet.com. The regulator's response clarifies a common point of confusion for consumers: the UKGC issues and enforces licences, but it does not hold them. The licences are held by the operating companies.
Public Register is the Source of Truth
In its response, the Commission explained that it could not directly answer the question under the FOIA. Instead, it invoked Section 21 of the Act, which exempts information that is already reasonably accessible to the public.
The UKGC pointed the requester to its public register of licensed businesses, the definitive source for verifying an operator's status. The response identified the specific licence holder for the Dafabet.com domain as Asian BGE (Isle of Man) Limited and provided a direct link to their licence details.
This highlights the Commission's process: rather than providing information that could become outdated, it directs consumers to the live, publicly maintained register. This ensures anyone can access the most current information on a company's licence status, including any sanctions or regulatory actions.
Why This Matters for Consumers
This disclosure serves as a crucial reminder for all UK gamblers. Before signing up for any gambling website, it is vital to verify that it is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. An active UKGC licence ensures that an operator is subject to strict rules on fairness, player safety, and financial protection.
The Commission's public register allows consumers to:
- Confirm an operator's right to offer gambling services in Great Britain.
- Identify the specific company behind a brand name.
- View all domain names associated with a single licence.
- Check for any regulatory actions or sanctions against the operator.
By using the public register, consumers can empower themselves to make safer gambling choices and avoid unlicensed, illegal websites. This FOI response, while simple, perfectly illustrates the transparency tools the UKGC provides to protect the public.