London, UK – The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has imposed a £1 million fine on ProgressPlay Limited following a series of serious breaches related to anti-money laundering (AML) and social responsibility obligations. The operator, which oversees more than 130 gaming websites across the UK, has also been issued a formal warning and ordered to undergo an independent third-party audit.
Regulatory Findings
The UKGC’s investigation revealed that ProgressPlay failed to:
- Conduct a proper Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (MLTF) risk assessment
- Implement effective controls to mitigate MLTF risks
- Monitor customer transactions and verify sources of funds
- Assess the risk profiles of high-spending users
In addition to AML shortcomings, the Commission cited social responsibility failures, including:
- Inadequate systems to detect and prevent gambling-related harm
- Poor customer interaction tracking and follow-up procedures
- Insufficient evaluation of whether interventions were effective
Repeat Offender Status
This is not ProgressPlay’s first run-in with the regulator. The company was previously fined £175,000 for similar violations. UKGC Director of Enforcement and Intelligence John Pierce emphasized the gravity of repeated non-compliance:
“Operators should be in no doubt — repeated breaches will lead to escalating enforcement action. ProgressPlay’s failure to meet its AML and social responsibility duties is unacceptable.”
Pierce reiterated that all licensed operators must maintain robust, regularly tested systems to protect consumers and uphold the integrity of the industry.
Industry Implications
The UKGC has urged all licensees to take note of this case and strengthen their compliance frameworks accordingly. Simultaneously, the Commission has launched consultations on proposed updates to the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), signaling further regulatory tightening ahead.
