source: Google Three gambling businesses owned by the Willam Hill Group have been on the receiving end of a record forced settlement by the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission).
The betting, bingo and slots brand, now owned by the 888 group and 88 years old, has been handed a record settlement of £19.2 million by the UKGC, for what it termed “widespread and alarming” social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures.
WHG (International) Limited, which runs williamhill.com, will pay £12.5 million, Mr Green Limited, which runs mrgreen. com, will pay £3.7 million and William Hill Organization Limited, which operates 1,344 gambling premises across Britain, will pay £3 million.
Andrew Rhodes, Gambling Commission chief executive, said of the record fine
“When we launched this investigation the failings we uncovered were so widespread and alarming serious consideration was given to licence suspension.
“However, because the operator immediately recognised their failings and worked with us to swiftly implement improvements, we instead opted for the largest enforcement payment in our history.”
The breaches relate to before William Hill was purchased by the 888 Group. A spokesperson for the 888 Group said:
“The settlement relates to the period when William Hill was under the previous ownership and management. After William Hill was acquired, the company quickly addressed the identified issues with the implementation of a rigorous action plan.
“The entire Group shares the GC’s commitment to improve compliance standards across the industry and we will continue to work collaboratively with the regulator and other stakeholders to achieve this.
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