Unibet Operator Platinum Gaming Fined £10 Million for Repeated AML and Safer Gambling Failures

The Gambling Commission has imposed a £10 million fine on Platinum Gaming Limited, operator of unibet.co.uk and uk.bingo.com, after uncovering extensive failings in anti-money laundering and safer gambling systems. The company also received a formal warning and will now undergo an independent audit to ensure its internal policies are fully compliant.

Good to Know

• Platinum Gaming was previously fined £2.9 million in 2023 for similar issues.
• The new investigation found repeated lapses in both AML and responsible gambling checks.
• An independent audit and stricter reporting conditions are now mandatory.

The Commission’s latest investigation painted a worrying picture of repeated oversight failures. Among the findings were several instances where players were able to lose large sums within short timeframes, without triggering any meaningful checks or interventions.

Major Customer Failures

Regulators identified one customer who lost £5,000 within 24 hours of registration and over £16,000 within three months, without any affordability or welfare review. Another player repeatedly hit loss limits over a nine-month period, dropping £31,000 in total, while showing clear indicators of gambling harm.

In a particularly striking case, a new account holder exceeded a £2,500 loss limit within just 16 minutes of joining. Yet, no review was initiated. Another player wagered £73,000 across 23 days, losing £4,100—again, without the operator taking any action.

Anti-Money Laundering Gaps

The Commission also found systemic weaknesses in Platinum Gaming’s AML framework. Some customers whose accounts were previously shut down over money laundering concerns were allowed to reopen new accounts and resume gambling.

The company’s AML policy lacked clarity on customer due diligence thresholds and failed to identify how different risk levels were being evaluated. Reviews often ignored vital red flags, such as a customer’s source of income, occupation, and volume of transactions—factors clearly listed in Platinum Gaming’s own risk framework.

John Pierce, the Gambling Commission’s Director of Enforcement, said the case highlighted continuing gaps in Platinum Gaming’s compliance culture. “Consumers lost thousands within hours or days of registration without adequate checks,” he said. “These added conditions are designed to drive meaningful change, reinforce accountability, and embed a culture of compliance.”

Pierce added that the £10 million fine would be accompanied by a compulsory independent audit and enhanced reporting duties. “Senior leaders must take ownership of compliance outcomes and ensure lessons are embedded across the organisation, supported by structured reporting and board-level oversight – and further regulatory activity will remain a possibility,” he stated.

A Pattern of Repeated Offences

This is already the second enforcement action against Platinum Gaming in as many years. In 2023, the company was fined £2.9 million for similar breaches of AML and social responsibility standards. The recurrence of such failures suggests that internal corrective measures have been ineffective.

The Commission has made clear that continued noncompliance will invite even stricter oversight, reinforcing its ongoing effort to ensure that operators prioritize consumer protection and transparency.

FAQ

Why was Platinum Gaming fined again?

The company failed to meet its AML and safer gambling obligations, allowing customers to lose large sums quickly without checks or intervention.

What happens next for Platinum Gaming?

The operator must undergo an independent audit, improve its AML systems, and regularly report compliance progress to the Gambling Commission.

How severe is the fine compared to other cases?

At £10 million, it ranks among the higher penalties issued by the regulator, reflecting repeated failings after an earlier £2.9 million fine in 2023.

Will Platinum Gaming continue to operate?

Yes, but under close monitoring. The company faces increased scrutiny and the risk of further enforcement if it fails to demonstrate meaningful reform.

What message does the Commission want to send?

That accountability must start at the top—operators are expected to treat compliance as a core business responsibility, not an afterthought.

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