Overview

Operator Type: Online sports betting and casino operator

Targetlocal Limited is an established UK-based gambling operator, primarily known to consumers through its trading name, 'ken howells sports betting'. The company has held a continuous gambling licence since January 2009, demonstrating a long-standing presence in the regulated UK market. It operates several websites, including its main portal kenhowells.com, and the more recently registered messagebet.co.uk and messagebets.com.

Originally focused on sports betting, Targetlocal Limited has recently expanded its offering. In July 2024, the company was granted licences for online casino and virtual event betting, indicating a strategic move to provide a more comprehensive suite of gambling products to its customers. This adds casino games like slots and table games to its traditional real-event sportsbook.

The operator is backed by the private limited company, TARGETLOCAL LIMITED, which was incorporated in 1991 and is based in Swansea. The company is controlled by its director, Kenneth Grant Howells, and has a clean regulatory history with no enforcement actions recorded by the UK Gambling Commission. Its websites are secured with SSL certificates, with messagebets.com holding a top 'A' grade for security.

Where Is This Operator Based?

Understanding where an operator is based matters for regulatory accountability. UK-based operators are subject to UK courts and consumer protection laws.

Headquarters
Ken Howells Sports Betting, 65 Wind Street, AMMANFORD, SA18 3DT, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Source: UKGC Register
Company Registered
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Source: Companies House
Directors Based
United Kingdom (1) 🇬🇧
Source: Companies House
Fully UK-based

This operator is headquartered in the UK and registered with Companies House. They are fully subject to UK courts, consumer protection laws, and regulatory oversight.

Licence Details

Targetlocal Limited holds several active licences issued by the UK Gambling Commission. Its core 'General Betting Standard' licence, permitting it to take bets from customers, has been active since 1st January 2009. The company has recently expanded its licensed activities, securing a 'Casino' licence in July 2024 to offer online casino games, alongside specific licences for betting on 'Real Events' and 'Virtual Events'. This diverse licensing allows the operator to offer a full range of online sports betting and casino products.

UKGC licences held by Targetlocal Limited — Source: UKGC Public Register
Licence Type Status Granted
Casino Active
General Betting Standard - Virtual Event Active
General Betting Standard - Real Event Active
General Betting Standard Active

View on UKGC Register

Enforcement & Compliance History

No regulatory actions recorded.

No enforcement actions recorded.

This operator has no public enforcement actions, financial penalties, or regulatory warnings on record with the UK Gambling Commission.

Corporate Structure

TARGETLOCAL LIMITED is an active private limited company incorporated on 14th November 1991 and registered in Swansea. The company's key officer is Kenneth Grant Howells, who has served as both director and secretary since 1992. According to public records, the company's beneficial owners are Mr Kenneth Howels (50-75% ownership) and Mrs Joanne Howells (25-50% ownership).

Company Number
02662814
Incorporated
14 November 1991
Registered Address
Lavender Lodge Dunvant Road, Killay, Swansea, SA2 7NN

Directors & Officers

Current directors and officers — Source: Companies House
Name Role Residence Appointed
HOWELLS, Kenneth Grant secretary 19 March 1992
HOWELLS, Kenneth Grant director 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 19 March 1992
HOWELLS, Kenneth Grant secretary 19 March 1992

Associated Domains

Targetlocal Limited operates several active domains under its UKGC licence, including kenhowells.com, messagebet.co.uk, and messagebets.com. The primary domain, kenhowells.com, was first registered in 2007, indicating a long-term online presence. The operator's websites are secured with SSL encryption; messagebets.com has a strong 'A' grade, while kenhowells.com holds a 'B' grade. No public Trustpilot scores are currently available for these domains.

Domains registered to Targetlocal Limited — Source: UKGC Public Register
Domain Brand Status Site Type
kenhowells.com KenHowells Active Other

Offers

4 active offers across this operator's sites.

View all offers →