ProgressPlay will pay a £1m fine after an investigation from the Gambling Commission uncovered anti-money laundering (AML) and social responsibility failings at the operator.
The Cyprus-headquartered firm, which runs 134 websites, including a host of white-label operations, has also been given a warning over its conduct.
ProgressPlay is also expected to undergo a third-party audit to ensure it is effectively implementing AML and social responsibility processes and controls.
On the AML front, ProgressPlay failed to conduct an appropriate money laundering and terrorist financing (MLTF) risk assessment and did not implement controls to minimise the risk of MLTF.
The regulator added the company had not considered all risks associated with its business and failed to take a “sufficiently risk-based approach to AML”.
ProgressPlay also failed to verify source of funds throughout customer journeys, the Gambling Commission added.
In terms of social responsibility, ProgressPlay did not have “adequate systems and processes” to monitor customer activity when accounts were opened, meaning early indicators of risk were not acted upon.
The firm’s customer interactions policy was also lacking against some elements of the remote customer interaction section of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice.
Finally, ProgressPlay did not have processes in place to understand individual interactions and actions with customers, meaning the risk of harm continued and corrective action was not taken.
The Gambling Commission said ProgressPlay cooperated throughout the investigation and took steps to address failings.
ProgressPlay previously paid a £175,718 in a regulatory settlement with the Gambling Commission in 2022.
The company has had a casino licence from the GB regulator since November 2014 and added a sports betting licence in December 2018.
A bingo permit was secured in August 2024. The firm runs sites such as MobileMillions, PushBet and PlayMagicial.
John Pierce, Gambling Commission director of enforcement and intelligence, said: “Gambling businesses must have robust policies and procedures in place to protect consumers and ensure appropriate anti-money laundering controls are maintained. These measures must be actively implemented and regularly tested to confirm their effectiveness.
“This case marks the second time ProgressPlay Limited has been subject to enforcement action by the Gambling Commission. Its failure to meet AML obligations, along with the gaps identified in its social responsibility processes, are unacceptable.
“As part of the regulatory outcome, ProgressPlay is now required to undergo an independent third-party audit to assess the adequacy of its compliance arrangements across these areas.
“Operators should be in no doubt: repeated regulatory breaches will result in increasingly severe enforcement action.
“We urge all operators to examine the failings identified in this case and take proactive steps to strengthen their own systems and controls.”
The post ProgressPlay to pay £1m fine after Gambling Commission uncovers AML failings first appeared on EGR Intel.
Operator hit with fine three years after agreeing a six-figure settlement with the regulator, as Gambling Commission notes lack of appropriate controls and risk assessments
The post ProgressPlay to pay £1m fine after Gambling Commission uncovers AML failings first appeared on EGR Intel.