The Great Britain Gambling Commission suspended In Touch Games’ three operating licenses. It said that the company may not be suitable to conduct licensed activities.
The suspension takes effect immediately. According to the Commission, In Touch is suspected of violating certain conditions of its licence.
The regulator will flag up areas such as money laundering, fair terms and conditions and reporting of key events.
The suspension will continue until the Commission has completed its review of In Touch. The Gambling Act of 2005, section 118(2), allows for this suspension. The review takes place under section 56 of the Act.
In Touch’s British licenses include online gambling, bingo, and casino software. Its brands include Bonusboss.co.uk, Cashmo.co.uk, Casino.mfortune.co.uk, Casino2020.co.uk, Drslot.co.uk, Jammymonkey.com, Mfortune.co.uk, Mrspin.co.uk, Pocketwin.co.uk and Slotfactory.com.
The Commission stated that it had made it clear to operators that they should focus their efforts on treating customers fairly during the suspension period and keep them informed about any changes which may affect them.
The operator is still able to allow consumers to withdraw funds and access their account despite the suspension. In Touch Games is available through their websites.
BGC suspends In Touch membership
The Betting and Gaming Council announced the suspension of In Touch’s membership after the license suspension was confirmed.
The BGC released a statement saying that the decision was in accordance with their “strict” membership rules and standards.
The BGC announced that “Following their suspension of their operating license by the Gambling Commission in accordance with our strict rules we immediately suspend In Touch Games Ltd’s membership while the details are investigated”,
As the standard-setting body for the regulated gaming industry, we are committed to protecting the interests of In Touch Games Ltd.’s customers.
In Touch suspended after PS6.1m fine
In Touch was fining PS6.1m ($7.7m/EUR7.1m) in January by the Commission. The Commission fined In Touch PS6.1m (EUR7.1m/$7.7m) for social responsibility and money-laundering failures.
The regulator at the time said that the operator had failed an assessment of compliance in March 2022. As a result, it took action.
In Touch failed to meet its social responsibility obligations by not engaging with a client for seven weeks, even though the customer had been flagged as requiring interaction due to erratic playing patterns and prolonged periods of play.
The company also accepted the word of a customer that he earned PS6,000 per month without checking this information. The player’s account had been flagged for excessive gambling and spending by the customer during non-sociable hours.
In assessing the money laundering and terror financing risks, anti-money laundering failures include not taking into account that a user may be a beneficiary of life insurance, have links with high-risk jurisdictions or be a politically-exposed person (PEP), a family member of PEPs or known close associates to a PEP.
In Touch also failed to have adequate policies, procedures, and controls in place that addressed key risks.
