FOI: One Domain Used by Two Operators
UKGC data reveals an unusual five-month overlap where both TGP Europe and Fesuge Limited reported using the 138.co.uk domain.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed that for five months in 2020, two distinct gambling licensees reported using the same domain name. The UK Gambling Commission described the situation as 'unusual' but noted it can occur through commercial agreements, highlighting the need for consumer vigilance.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) response from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has shed light on an unusual period where two separate gambling operators reported using the same website domain concurrently.
For approximately five months in 2020, both TGP Europe Limited and the now-surrendered Fesuge Limited notified the regulator that they were using the domain name 138.co.uk. The data, released following a request dated 14 April 2023, highlights a potential area of confusion for consumers and underscores the importance of verifying an operator's licence.
Why This Matters
For consumers, knowing precisely which licensed company is providing gambling services is crucial. This determines who is responsible for protecting your funds, ensuring fair outcomes, and handling any complaints or disputes. When a single domain is associated with two different licensees, it can create ambiguity about who the customer's contract is with, especially if the on-site information is not perfectly clear.
The UKGC mandates that "a website offering gambling products must be clear about which licence gambling is being provided in reliance on." This information is typically found in the footer of a gambling website.
A Breakdown of the Overlap
The FOI response provides a specific timeline for the use of the 138.co.uk domain:
- Fesuge Limited: Reported using the domain from 12 June 2018 until it surrendered its licence on 7 August 2020.
- TGP Europe Limited: Reported using the domain from 31 January 2020 to 30 June 2020.
This created an overlap of five months, from the end of January to the end of June 2020, where both companies had notified the Commission of their use of the same domain.
In its response, the Commission stated, "It is unusual that a domain name would be registered a live with 2 licensees." However, it explained that such situations can arise. The regulator noted that "through third party agreements and sales between licensees, the running of gambling products linked to specific domain names can transfer between licensees." It also acknowledged that notifications from operators about domain changes can sometimes be delayed, meaning the official register may not be "100% accurate" at all times.
Corporate Structure Clarified
The FOI request also sought to clarify the relationship between TGP Europe Limited and Fesuge Limited, referencing a 2017 UKGC public statement that described them as 'part of a single group of companies'.
The Commission's response corrected this previous description, stating: "TGP Europe Limited and Fesuge Limited were not part of a single group of companies. Rather they were owned by separate companies that were owned by some of the same owners."
This distinction, while subtle, is important for understanding corporate accountability and the separation between licensed entities. For consumers, this data serves as a key reminder to always check the licence details on any gambling site to confirm exactly which company they are betting with.