Corbett Bookmakers has been fined £686,070 by the UK Gambling Commission for serious failings in anti-money laundering and responsible gambling. The investigation revealed inadequate controls on at-risk players, allowing some customers to bet and lose large sums of money without intervention. The operator will also have to undergo an independent audit within 12 months. This sanction underlines the increased rigour of regulators in dealing with betting operators who do not comply with the rules, recalling previous fines imposed on other companies in the sector.
The UK betting industry is once again under fire. Corbett Bookmakers, operator of 36 venues across the country, has been fined £686,070 by the Gambling Commission for serious breaches of regulations on money laundering and social responsibility. This follows a previous fine of £216,000 imposed in 2022 for similar offences. The failings identified occurred between February 2022 and May 2024.
Worrying shortcomings
The Gambling Commission’s investigation highlighted several instances where Corbett Bookmakers failed to identify or interact appropriately with at-risk customers. For example, one customer bet £23,674 over a 13-day period without being flagged as potentially at risk. Another placed 56 bets in four hours, losing £3,523, without adequate staff intervention. A third customer wagered £47,416 over ten weeks, incurring a loss of £6,741, without any significant interaction taking place.
In addition to the social responsibility failings, the Commission identified major flaws in Corbett Bookmakers’ anti-money laundering procedures. The operator had set high financial thresholds, allowing some customers to avoid standard checks. In one case, a customer was able to bet £47,000 and lose £14,000 over an eight-month period without the operator checking the legitimacy of the funds used. The Commission criticised the company’s risk assessment, pointing out that it failed to take into account key factors such as customer behaviour, payment methods and geographical risks.
Increased monitoring and corrective action required
In response to these breaches, the Gambling Commission has ordered Corbett Bookmakers to undergo an independent audit of its anti-money laundering and responsible gambling policies and procedures. This audit must be completed within 12 months.
John Pierce, director of enforcement at the Gambling Commission, said.
‘Corbett has failed to adhere to vital regulations designed to make gambling safer and free from criminal activity. As a result, it will not only pay a significant fine but also undergo a rigorous audit to ensure full compliance with anti-money laundering and safer gambling measures.’
A warning to the betting industry
This case serves as a warning to all betting operators in the UK. The Gambling Commission recently fined AG Communications £1.4 million for similar breaches, including failing to respond when customers lost large sums in a short space of time and allowing previously self-excluded players to create new accounts.