Betfred, a UK-based bookmaker, has been ordered to pay a fine of £900,000 ($1.19 million) by the UK Gambling Commission due to shortcomings in its efforts to prevent gambling harm. This decision was announced on June 30, following a license review that included a compliance assessment conducted between May and June 2024.
The UK Gambling Commission's investigation revealed significant deficiencies in Betfred’s monitoring and intervention systems intended to protect users from gambling-related harm. Betfred did not adhere to multiple sections of the Social Responsibility Code (SRCP) 3.4.3, which mandates effective systems to identify and respond to customer risk.
John Pierce, the director of enforcement at the Gambling Commission, emphasized that Betfred lacked effective procedures for timely outreach to customers showing signs of gambling-related harm. While the identified gaps were considered unacceptable, Pierce noted that the company acted quickly to implement interim measures to address the immediate concerns. They subsequently provided an action plan, demonstrating steps taken to ensure compliance with the Commission’s requirements. However, the investigation also indicated that Betfred's automated systems for detecting harm were deficient.
The Gambling Commission pointed out that the operator failed to establish robust automated processes for logging key indicators such as excessive spending, prolonged gaming sessions, and harmful behavioral patterns. A critical flaw in their procedures surfaced when it was revealed that once a customer account was flagged for review, it could not be flagged again for seven days, leading to delayed interventions. One particular case highlighted involved a customer who lost £17,900 within 24 hours without any follow-up contact.
As a result of the Commission's findings, Betfred has agreed to the £900,000 financial penalty.
