A shamed gambling firm and football sponsor is quitting the UK after being fined £3.3 million for bad practice.
The Gambling Commission fined TGP Europe for breaching anti-money laundering rules and for not carrying out sufficient checks on business partners.
TGP Europe recently promoted its betting websites by sponsoring Premier League clubs including Newcastle, Fulham and Wolves.
John Pierce, Head of Enforcement for the Gambling Commission, said that it is “right that they have now exited the British market”, and that TGP was “unwilling or unable” to follow UK regulations.
He stated: “It is essential that football clubs play their part in protecting fans and GB consumers who may be exposed to advertising of these sites through their sponsorship arrangements from harm or exploitation.”
The Commission warned football clubs that they could face prosecution “if they promote unlicensed gambling businesses that transact with consumers in Great Britain”.
Will Prochaska, Director of the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, welcomed the fine against TGP Europe, but said that the Gambling Commission’s warnings to football clubs “ring hollow”.
He noted: “Premier League clubs, including Everton and Leicester, have been advertising unlicensed sites for months with no action taken by the Gambling Commission.”
Prochaska added: “Questions should be raised of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as to how they have allowed English football to become a vehicle for the promotion of nefarious and unlicensed gambling companies.”