The Gambling Commission has taken decisive action by suspending the operating licences of two online betting companies, BresBet Ltd and Bet St George Ltd. This move, effective from 28 August 2026, stems from suspected violations of social responsibility protocols and inadequate anti-money laundering (AML) controls.
These suspensions followed the Commission's initiation of formal licence reviews under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005. The reviews were triggered by preliminary inquiries that raised concerns about regulatory compliance at both BresBet, which operates the website bresbet.com, and Bet St George, accessible at betstgeorge.com.
According to the Commission, the suspensions will persist until the operators satisfactorily address and resolve the compliance issues identified. Both companies have been directed to ensure fair treatment for their customers during this suspension and to keep them informed about any updates that may affect them.
Customers can still access their accounts, including the ability to withdraw funds, and can reach the companies through their respective websites.
BresBet, established in the UK since 2021, now faces this setback, while Bet St George, which launched earlier this year, is experiencing its licence suspension merely six months after starting operations. Notably, Nic Brereton serves as a director for both companies.
In an interview with iGB in March, Brereton discussed the challenging environment for UK bookmakers, particularly in light of upcoming tax increases, but he also pointed to potential opportunities for brands that can navigate the market effectively. "It’s a challenging time for bookmakers in terms of launching, but we still feel that if you’ve got the right brand and the right cost of service, there are still opportunities to have a successful business," he stated.
The suspension of Bet St George's licence comes on the heels of its brief existence in the UK market. Despite being listed as separate entities, the two companies share office space and, until recently, a director.
Sarah Laycock, who managed BresBet since 2025, resigned from her position earlier this month and left her role at Bet St George on the same day. Meanwhile, Brereton, who stepped down from BresBet in 2021, returned to the company in 2023.
The Gambling Commission's latest report on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing has drawn attention to persistent operator-side deficiencies that contribute to significant risks in these areas. The report found widespread issues with AML and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) policies, as well as training inadequacies among staff.
It highlighted problems with poorly defined AML thresholds and insufficient monitoring of accounts that might be linked or duplicated. Recently, another operator, QuinnBet, was fined £609,104 ($830,501) for similar AML failings.
Industry criticism has emerged regarding the Gambling Commission's frequent tendency to issue fines or regulatory settlements rather than enforcing suspension as a punitive measure for compliance failures.
Former betting shop manager and safer gambling advocate Terry White expressed concerns about the efficacy of fines, stating, "When a betting shop or organization is told they can’t trade in the UK or globally for, let’s say, a month, that’ll hurt them, and they’ll never do it again. But they’ll pay [a fine] all day long… They don’t care. They make more than that in what they actually do."
