The UK Gambling Commission has suspended the operating licences of BresBet and Bet St George Ltd with immediate effect, citing suspected social-responsibility and anti-money-laundering failings identified during regulatory enquiries. The Commission is reviewing both licences under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005.
The regulator said the suspensions followed enquiries that identified suspected social-responsibility and anti-money-laundering failings.
BresBet, an online firm launched in 2021, has sponsored the stable of Grade One-winning jumps trainer Fergal O’Brien, as well as horse and greyhound racing. Neither the extent of any underlying breach nor a final finding against either operator has been confirmed at this stage.
Immediate Operational Impact
The suspension took effect immediately. BresBet’s website displayed a message saying it was currently unavailable and directed customers with queries to its support address. In an announcement on X, the operator said it was working through the matter and was not accepting bets.
The Commission said the suspension does not prevent either operator from allowing consumers to access their accounts and withdraw funds. It also said both businesses can be contacted through their websites and are expected to treat consumers fairly and keep them informed of developments that affect them.
Statutory Review Under Section 116
The Commission said the suspension will remain in place until it is satisfied that BresBet and Bet St George are compliant. Its review of both licences is being conducted under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005.
Source: Mirror
Petra Vanhoof has spent the better part of a decade following the shifting tides of gambling regulation across Europe and beyond. She came up through the compliance side of the industry before pivoting to writing, which gives her a grounded, no-nonsense perspective on the rules, loopholes, and political maneuvering that shape how operators actually do business. She is particularly drawn to the gap between what regulators say and what the market ends up doing in response.