UKGC reinforced player protection with a £2m Paddy Power fine.

Paddy Power Betfair has agreed to pay £2 million following an investigation by the UK Gambling Commission into serious breaches of social responsibility and customer engagement standards. The enforcement action applies to four entities operating under the Paddy Power and Betfair brands: PPB Entertainment Limited, PPB Counterparty Services Limited, Betfair Casino Limited, and TSE Malta LP.

The UKGC’s investigation revealed that the operator’s monitoring systems were not sufficiently sensitive to identify risky gambling behaviour in a timely manner. In several cases, customers were able to deposit, wager, and lose substantial sums over short periods without meaningful intervention. Examples included deposits of up to £25,000 within weeks, losses exceeding £12,000 before review, and prolonged betting sessions involving hundreds of bets.

According to the regulator, these failings represented systemic weaknesses in how customer risk was assessed and managed. UKGC Enforcement Director John Peers stated that the settlement reflects the seriousness of the breaches and the importance of complying with player protection requirements.

While the commission acknowledged that Paddy Power Betfair cooperated fully, accepted the findings early, and implemented an action plan, it emphasised that such responses are the minimum expected when serious deficiencies are identified. This enforcement marks the second significant disciplinary action against the group, following a £490,000 fine in 2023 related to marketing to vulnerable consumers.

The UKGC has positioned supervisory measures as a tool to raise industry standards rather than solely punish operators. Regulators stress that early compliance and swift corrective action are essential to reducing harm and maintaining trust in the UK’s regulated gambling market.