The operator of three Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) in Leicester has been fined £150,000 by the Gambling Commission (GC) for “failing to comply with self-exclusion requirements designed to reduce gambling harm”.
Following a review of its licence, the GC found that Holland Park Leisure was not participating in a “multi-operator self-exclusion scheme” despite having been warned by the regulator it was a requirement.
In October 2025, the GC suspended Holland Park Leisure’s licence, though the land-based firm has since participated in the scheme.
The regulator noted a “significant aggravating factor” in this case was the fact the GC “had previously advised the licensee of the non-compliance, it did not take remedial action at that time, and it provided misleading information to the Commission”.
Besides the £150,000 fine, Holland Park Leisure will also undergo a third-party audit to review its policies, procedures and controls and implementation of the self-exclusion scheme, the GC said.
Staff members will also receive training, as well as an audit of their competency.
GC director of enforcement and intelligence John Pierce remarked: “Self-exclusion schemes provide a crucial service for people who feel they are suffering gambling harm. It is important all operators fully integrate with the scheme and maintain effective safeguards for self-excluded customers.
“Every operator must ensure they are fully participating in a recognised multi-operator self-exclusion scheme, that they have effective procedures to identify and prevent self-excluded customers from gambling in any of their premises, and that their staff are trained to manage self-exclusion and direct individuals to relevant support services.”
The news of the fine comes a week after Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced he was set to scrap the ‘aim to permit’ rule, which currently prevents local councils from refusing the opening of new betting shops, along with planning permission needed to open new AGCs.
EGR gathered the thoughts of several industry voices on the potential scrapping of the rule.
At the end of June, Burnham raised concerns around AGCs at the same time think tank the Social Market Foundation (SMF) published a poll suggesting 43% of the public would support an increase in machines games duty (MGD) on category B machines found in AGCs, betting shops, casinos and bingo halls.
The SMF is calling on the government to double MGD to 40%, a hike the think tank suggests could raise between £275m and £485m a year for the Treasury.
However, strategic advisory firm Regulus Partners has modelled 1,300 of Britain’s 1,400 AGCs would shut, triggering the loss of 13,000 jobs and a tax shortfall of around £64m.
Regulus Partners also projected around 4,000 of the current 5,300 betting shops would be forced to close and 25,000 jobs would be axed.
In July, Betfred became the latest operator to announce a cut to its retail estate, with the Warrington-based bookmaker to shut more than 130 shops and lay off around 600 staff.
Betfred blamed the closures on April’s remote gaming duty hike from 21% to 40%, an increase that was roughly what the SMF had lobbied the government to implement in the Autumn Budget last November.
The retail closures follow Entain cutting 500 jobs last month and evoke in April shutting 270 betting shops in April.
Yesterday, 17 August, Rank Group CEO Richard Harris told EGR a 40% MGD would “likely lead to further venue closures, significant job losses and a net reduction in tax receipts”.
The Grosvenor and Mecca owner reported a 5% increase in net gaming revenue for full-year 2025-26, while hitting out at anti-gambling campaigners for continuing to “cast clouds over a regulated industry that is proud to support jobs across the country”.
The post GC fines Adult Gaming Centre owner £150,000 for self-exclusion failures first appeared on EGR Intel.
Regulator says a major aggravating factor was Holland Park Leisure “did not take remedial action” and “provided misleading information” when previously advised of non-compliance
The post GC fines Adult Gaming Centre owner £150,000 for self-exclusion failures first appeared on EGR Intel.