Targetlocal Limited
Targetlocal Limited, trading as ken howells sports betting, is an online sports betting and casino operator licensed in the UK since 2009. The company holds active licences for betting on real and virtual events, as well as online casino, and maintains a clean regulatory record with no enforcement actions.
Positive Signals
- Continuously licensed since 2009 (17+ years)
- No regulatory enforcement actions recorded by the UKGC
- UK-registered company (TARGETLOCAL LIMITED) since 1991
- Holds active licences for sports betting and online casino
- Active domains with SSL security (Grade A for messagebets.com)
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.
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.
| Licence Type | Status | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Casino | Active | |
| General Betting Standard - Virtual Event | Active | |
| General Betting Standard - Real Event | Active | |
| General Betting Standard | Active |
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).
TARGETLOCAL LIMITED
Active- Company Number
- 02662814
- Incorporated
- 14 November 1991
- Registered Address
- Lavender Lodge Dunvant Road, Killay, Swansea, SA2 7NN
Directors & Officers
| 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.
| Domain | Brand | Status | Site Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| kenhowells.com | KenHowells | Active | Other |