Home NetBet fined $850K after failures in AML and social responsibility

NetBet fined $850K after failures in AML and social responsibility

NetBet Enterprises Limited has been fined £650,000 ($850,400) after the UK Gambling Commission found AML and social responsibility failures.

An investigation from the UKGC has found anti-money laundering and social responsibility failures at online gambling business NetBet Enterprises Limited. The company, which runs NetBet and partners with various casino games providers, must now pay £650,000 towards socially responsible causes and undergo an independent audit.

Specifically, the UKGC found that NetBet was overly reliant on financial triggers, with cases found where users were able to spend more than they should based on their net income. Concerning behaviors from customers were also overlooked by NetBet, where they should have been flagged as potential risks.

NetBet’s money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessment was also found lacking, particularly when it comes to the management of third-party business relationships, high-stakes gambling, and controls relating to third-country nationals residing in the UK.

NetBet was also pulled up on social responsibility failures

On top of the AML failures, NetBet were also found to have ineffective customer interaction systems, leading to risk of customers being exposed to gambling-related harm. Warning signs of harmful behavior, like overnight play, rapid deposits, maximizing limits, and escalated gameplay, were not identified soon enough, and often only via a manual review. Incorrect information was also submitted in NetBet’s regulatory returns.

“This case highlights the serious consequences of failing to meet anti-money laundering and social responsibility obligations,” said John Pierce, Commission Director of Enforcement. “We expect all operators to take note and ensure their systems are not only well-designed but are working effectively to protect consumers and to keep crime out of gambling.”

Pierce went on to explain that NetBet is required to take immediate action to rectify the failings, as well as pay the fine and conduct an independent audit as noted above.

“Our focus is on ensuring operators meet the standards we expect, and where they fall short, we will intervene,” concluded Pierce.

ReadWrite has contacted NetBet Enterprises Limited for comment.

Featured image: NetBet Enterprises Limited

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Rachael Davies
Freelance Journalist

Rachael Davies has spent six years reporting on tech and entertainment, writing for publications like the Evening Standard, Huffington Post, Dazed, and more. From niche topics like the latest gaming mods to consumer-faced guides on the latest tech, she puts her MA in Convergent Journalism to work, following avenues guided by a variety of interests. As well as writing, she also has experience in editing as the UK Editor of The Mary Sue , as well as speaking on the important of SEO in journalism at the Student Press Association National Conference. You can find her full portfolio over on…