Platinum Gaming Hit With £10 Million Fine Over AML and Safer Gambling Failures

Online gambling operator Platinum Gaming Limited has been fined £10 million by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) after an investigation found serious failings in its anti-money laundering (AML) and social responsibility controls.

The operator, which runs Unibet.co.uk and UK.Bingo.com, also received an official warning and must commission an independent third-party audit to assess the effectiveness of its AML and safer gambling procedures.

Repeat Failures After 2023 Enforcement

This is the second time the company has faced UKGC enforcement action. In 2023, Platinum Gaming paid a £2.9 million penalty for similar AML and safer gambling breaches. Read Casinos.com’s 2023 coverage of the fine here.

The latest investigation revealed multiple cases where vulnerable players were not identified or helped, including one customer who lost £5,000 within 24 hours of registration and another who lost more than £31,000 over nine months while repeatedly hitting loss limits.

In one instance, a player exceeded a £2,500 loss limit within 16 minutes of opening an account. Another wagered £73,000 in 23 days, losing £4,100, without any meaningful intervention from the operator.

Risk Assessments and Due Diligence Lapses

The UKGC found that Platinum Gaming’s AML policies failed to consider customers whose accounts had previously been closed for money laundering concerns. This oversight allowed blocked individuals to reopen accounts and gamble again.

The Commission also cited unclear due diligence procedures and inconsistent customer risk reviews that ignored red flags such as high-risk occupations, rapid deposits and withdrawals, and significant losses.

UKGC Response: “Serious Shortcomings”

John Pierce, the Commission’s Director of Enforcement, said: “While industry wide progress has been made in reducing unchecked high spending, the failings at Platinum Gaming are particularly disappointing. The case revealed serious shortcomings in customer interaction systems, including failures to identify and act on clear markers of harm. These included consumers losing thousands within hours or days of registration, repeatedly breaching loss limits, and exhibiting patterns of binge and high-velocity gambling without appropriate intervention.”

He added: “Significant anti-money laundering failures were also identified. These included gaps in the licensee’s risk assessment, which failed to account for previously blocked accounts linked to money laundering concerns, and a lack of clarity in the AML policy around due diligence thresholds. Customer reviews did not consistently consider high-risk factors, despite these being outlined in the licensee’s own framework.”

Mandatory Audit and Ongoing Oversight

Pierce said the operator must now carry out an independent audit and internal investigation, reporting regularly to the Commission.

“Alongside the £10 million financial penalty this operator is required to conduct a follow-up independent audit and internal investigation - providing regular updates to the Commission,” Pierce said. 

“These added conditions are designed to drive meaningful change, reinforce accountability, and embed a culture of compliance. Senior leaders must take ownership of compliance outcomes and ensure lessons are embedded across the organisation, supported by structured reporting and board level oversight – and further regulatory activity will remain a possibility.”

UKGC Stepping Up Enforcement

The UKGC has stepped up enforcement in recent years to ensure online operators meet social responsibility and AML standards. The Platinum Gaming case highlights the regulator’s continued focus on protecting vulnerable players and preventing criminal funds from entering the gambling system.

The Commission said repeat failures would attract escalating penalties and potential licence review. Players are encouraged to check a casino’s UKGC licence status before playing.

For more on responsible play, visit the Casinos.com Safer Gambling Hub or the UK Gambling Commission’s official enforcement reports.