UKGC Silent on Alleged SunCity Links
Regulator refuses to confirm or deny ties between UK operators and the controversial Macau junket group, citing law enforcement exemptions.
The UK Gambling Commission has used law enforcement exemptions to avoid confirming or denying whether UK-licensed operators, including TGP Europe, have links to the controversial SunCity Group. The refusal leaves consumers in the dark about the ultimate ownership of some gambling brands.
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UKGC Withholds Information on Operator Ownership
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has refused to confirm or deny whether UK-licensed gambling companies have ties to the notorious Macau-based junket operator, SunCity Group. In response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request dated 4 December 2023, the regulator cited law enforcement and data protection exemptions to withhold the information entirely.
The refusal leaves consumers and the public in the dark about the ultimate ownership and influence behind certain UK-licensed gambling operators, a matter of significant public interest given SunCity Group's history.
What the FOI Request Asked
The request sought to establish whether a network of companies, including prominent 'white label' provider TGP Europe and the former operator of 138.com, were part of or connected to the SunCity Group. The query specifically asked if SunCity's co-founders were among the owners of the UK-licensed entities.
Key questions included:
- Was the 138.com brand (run by Fesuge Ltd) part of SunCity Group?
- Was TGP Europe part of SunCity Group?
- Were co-founders of SunCity Group among the owners of the holding companies for these UK operators?
- Were there links to other related technology and marketing companies?
The Commission's 'Neither Confirm Nor Deny' Response
Rather than providing the information or stating that it did not hold it, the UKGC issued a "neither confirm nor deny" response. This is a specific type of FOI response used when simply confirming that information is held would, in itself, disclose sensitive details.
The Commission relied on two key exemptions to justify its silence:
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Section 31 (Law Enforcement): The UKGC argued that confirming or denying whether it held the information could harm its ability to perform its regulatory duties. Crucially, it stated that doing so "may prejudice the outcome of any ongoing or future investigation by the Commission, or another body, to the detriment of the public interest."
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Section 40 (Personal Data): The regulator also claimed that confirming whether it held information on the individuals named in the request would breach data protection principles, as it would constitute an unfair and unlawful disclosure of personal data.
Why This Matters to Consumers
The UKGC's response, particularly its use of the law enforcement exemption, is significant. While it does not confirm any wrongdoing, the suggestion that disclosure could prejudice an "ongoing or future investigation" indicates the matter is highly sensitive from a regulatory perspective.
SunCity Group was a major junket operator that brought high-rollers to Macau casinos. Its founder was jailed in 2023 for charges including illegal gambling and founding a criminal group. Any potential link between such an organisation and the UK's regulated market is a serious consumer protection issue.
For consumers, this lack of transparency from the regulator makes it difficult to make informed choices. The case highlights the often opaque corporate structures behind online gambling brands, particularly those operating under white-label arrangements where one company's licence can power dozens of different consumer-facing websites.