The UK Gambling Commission’s tightening grip on the online gambling industry has most recently manifested itself in the suspension of the B2C services of online gambling provider and white label operator EveryMatrix.
In a statement on its official website, the UK gambling watchdog announced that it has initiated a review under Section 116 of the Gambling Act of 2005 into EveryMatrix Software Limited. The commission further pointed out that the probe was launched after “compliance activity which included examining [EveryMatrix’s] customer interaction framework.”
The regulatory body did not provide any additional information on what EveryMatrix’s violations might have been.
Over the course of the commission’s review, EveryMatrix would not be able to provide B2C services, including offering real event betting or betting on virtual events and operating an online casino, on the territory of the UK. However, the suspension of its B2C license would not affect the company’s B2B business, which means that it will be able to carry on with its activities of manufacturing and supplying software for the online gambling industry.
The suspension of EveryMatrix’s B2C activities took effect immediately, the commission also revealed in its statement.
EveryMatrix’s Statement
The company confirmed its license suspension with a statement on its official website. EveryMatrix said that as a result from the recently launched review of its activities in the UK, it would not be able to accept gamblers from the country on the bookee.co.uk, pwrbet.com, fantasino.com, playfrank.com, sportingindex.com, westcasino.com, dragonaraonline.com, jetbull.com, mrwin.com, and casinomulti.com websites.
The company also informed UK gamblers that they will be able to access their existing accounts and withdraw their funds at any time. EveryMatrix will honor ante-post bets and will pay out any winning bets placed on future events.
White Label Crackdown
EveryMatrix was the second software provider/white label operator to have its B2C license suspended by the UK Gambling Commission in recent weeks. Last month, the regulator announced that it has started a review into the white label activities of local technology supplier FSB Technology (UK) Limited.
The review was instigated under the same Section 116 of UK’s gambling law, which states that the local gambling watchdog can launch a review into a UK-licensed operator if there is a reason to “suspect that activities may have been carried on in purported reliance on the licence but not in accordance with a condition of the licence.”
Section 116 goes on that a review might also be initiated if the commission:
(b) believes the licensee, or a person who exercises a function in connection with or is interested in the licensed activities, has acquired a conviction of a kind [..], or
(c) for any reason –
(i) suspects that the licensee may be unsuitable to carry on the licensed activities, or
(ii) thinks that a review would be appropriate.
The FSB review was launched after the company suspended the operations of its white label Blackbet brand. FSB said explained that the UK Gambling Commission had recently expressed concerns “over the levels of due diligence performed on a small number of our white label partners.”
The Blackbet website was the second white label operation that provided its services in the UK under a license agreement with FSB to have had its activities suspended. Following an investigation of the Sunday Times, Russian bookmaker 1xBet had its UK-facing website shuttered last month over allegations of questionable advertising practices. FSB said back then that it was reviewing its further collaboration with 1xBet.
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