UKGC: No Direct Contact with 8XBet
FOI data shows the regulator communicates with the brand's white-label provider, not the brand itself, highlighting a common industry structure.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission holds no records of direct communication with gambling brand 8XBet. The data highlights the industry's white-label structure, where the UKGC communicates with the licence holder, TGP Europe, rather than the consumer-facing brand.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) holds no records of direct correspondence with entities related to the gambling brand 8XBet.
The response, published on the regulator's website, confirms that a search for communications with email domains qooglobal.com or 8xbet.com between 1 January 2022 and 20 September 2023 yielded no results.
The White-Label Structure
This lack of direct communication, while notable for a prominent brand, sheds light on the operational structure of the UK's online gambling market. 8XBet operates in the UK as a 'white label' brand. This means it uses the gambling licence of another company, in this case, TGP Europe Limited.
Under this arrangement, TGP Europe is the legal entity holding the UKGC licence and is therefore responsible for all regulatory compliance. The Gambling Commission's primary point of contact for any issues related to the 8XBet brand in the UK would be TGP Europe, not 8XBet or its associated entity, QOO Global.
The FOI request specifically asked the UKGC to exclude correspondence with external representatives such as TGP Europe, indicating an interest in direct communication with the brand itself.
Details of the Request
The request, dated 20 September 2023, sought:
- Email correspondence to or from
qooglobal.comor8xbet.comemail accounts. - The specified period was from 1 January 2022 to 20 September 2023.
- An alternative request for other communication methods with members of QOO Global or 8XBet was also included.
In its official response, the Gambling Commission stated: "I can confirm that no information falling within the scope of your request is held by the Gambling Commission." This is a formal declaration under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 that no matching records were found after a search.
What This Means for Consumers
This disclosure clarifies the lines of regulatory accountability. While consumers interact with the 8XBet brand through its website and marketing, the UKGC's regulatory oversight is directed at the licence holder, TGP Europe.
For consumers, this serves as an important reminder to identify the licensed operator of any gambling website they use. This information is typically found in the footer of the website and clarifies which organisation is legally responsible for ensuring fair and safe play under UK law. Any complaints or disputes that are escalated to the regulator would be handled in relation to the licence holder, not the consumer-facing brand name.