UKGC Warns About Licensed Software on Illegal Gambling Sites
The British gambling regulator UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a warning regarding illegal gambling sites offering online casino games from licensed providers. According to the UKGC licensed providers distributing their games through third parties to unregulated online casinos not only put players to risk but also risk losing their gambling licences in the United Kingdom.
Third-party distributors facilitate the spread of games such as online pokies and live casino offerings from licensed operators to illegal gambling platforms targeting the UK. This exposes vulnerable groups, including self-excluded gamblers registered through GAMSTOP, to heightened risks of fraud, unfair practices, and a lack of responsible gambling measures.
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Maximum Stake Limits To Reduce Financial Harm
The UKGC underscores that licence holders are accountable for their entire supply chain and are obligated to report doubtful activities to the regulator. B2B operators that fail to adequately monitor their partnerships face penalties, including potential licence suspension. In a new statement, Andrew Rhodes, the UKGC’s chief executive, highlighted the Commission’s proactive stance during an IAGA webinar:
“I’ve previously stated that everyone within the regulated sector must ensure their suppliers and partners are not involved in unlicensed activities targeting the UK. Some interpreted my remarks to mean this responsibility lies with the industry rather than the regulator. Personally, I find it difficult to understand why anyone in the licensed industry would work with companies supporting illegal competition – to me it’s completely illogical. If such practices were considered acceptable, it might indicate that the illegal market is not as significant a problem as some suggest.
Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive UKGC
Rhodes also announced that the UKGC has strengthened its investigative capabilities by employing tools like mystery shoppers to more effectively detect and tackle illegal operators.
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Investigation Into Evolution
Evolution Gaming is a key provider under UKGC investigation for allowing games to appear on illegal sites. The company has since removed all casino games that were previously accessible on unlicensed platforms in the UK. The review of Evolution’s licence was partly triggered by an exposé from investigative journalists at Josimar, which revealed that the company had supplied casino games to unauthorised gambling sites in Asia, some of which were linked to organised crime. In December 2024, Evolution AB shares on the Stockholm stock exchange dropped by over 10% amidst the company’s involvement in a defamation lawsuit against an unidentified party behind a 2021 report. The report accused Evolution of operating in black markets, including countries under US sanctions such as Iraq and Syria.
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About Evolution
Evolution is a leading live casino game developer from Sweden that was founded in 2006. The Scandinavian company is considered the pioneer of interactive live dealer gambling broadcasting live through HD live streams from a fully equipped studio. Initially focusing on live versions of table games, the company has expanded its portfolio through the development of game shows and strategic acquisitions of other prominent developers. These partnerships have enabled Evolution to find their way to new markets and combine online gambling with live dealer games. The Evolution Group now includes well-known brands such as Big Time Gaming (BTG), Nolimit City, Red Tiger, NetEnt, DigiWheel, and live provider Ezugi. The company’s diverse portfolio has solidified Evolution’s position as a dominant force in both live casino offerings and the broader gaming industry.
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About The UKGC
The Gambling Commission is a non-departmental public body of the UK Government responsible for regulating gambling and overseeing gaming laws in Great Britain. Its jurisdiction includes land-based gambling such as arcades, betting shops, bingo, casinos, pokie machines, lotteries. The same holds true for remote gambling including online casinos, bingo sites and sports betting platforms. Established under the Gambling Act 2005, the Commission took over responsibilities from the Gaming Board for Great Britain in 2007.
The UKGC main objective is to prevent crime in gambling, ensure fairness, and protect minors and other vulnerable individuals. Considered one of the most stringent authorities in Europe, the British government proposed significant changes to online gambling regulations in April 2023, including maximum stake limits for online pokies and financial vulnerability checks. Stake limits were introduced in February 2024, setting a £5 per spin cap for adults aged 25 and over, whilst players aged 18 to 24 are held to a lower £2 limit.
From August 2024, operators are also required to conduct financial checks if a player’s net deposits exceed £500 within a 30-day period. This rule has sparked fierce debate in the country with opponents nominating this measure as a privacy violation. Despite ongoing discussions, the threshold is set to lower to £150 per 30 days starting 28 February, 2025.
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