AG Communications Limited, trading as Aspire Global and operating 58 gambling websites primarily on a white-label basis in the UK, was found to have serious shortcomings in its compliance with responsible gambling and anti-money laundering regulations.

The Commission’s investigation revealed multiple instances where the Malta-based operator failed to protect vulnerable customers and to properly monitor financial transactions.

The payment will be directed toward socially responsible causes under the terms of the settlement.

Social responsibility failures

Among the social responsibility breaches identified, the company did not have effective systems in place to prevent customers from spending substantial sums in short periods before assessing their potential risk for gambling-related harm.

One instance highlighted by the Commission involved a customer losing £6,000 in 48 hours, triggering a safer gambling interaction only after reaching a £5,000 daily loss limit.

Another case revealed a customer losing £7,000 in just over four hours due to a system failure that allowed play beyond a preset limit.

Furthermore, the company failed to prevent a self-excluded individual from opening multiple gambling accounts.

One self-excluded customer was able to register in excess of 100 accounts and went on to deposit some £30,000 and lost around £19,000 over a 21-month period.

AML shortcomings

The company’s AML failures identified during the investigation were equally concerning.

The UKGC found that Aspire’s AML and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) policies were overly dependent on financial thresholds, meaning that customers were not subjected to enhanced due diligence checks until they hit certain financial triggers.

This led to significant delays in launching checks, with one customer only undergoing a financial review a week after reaching the threshold.

Additionally, the investigation found that the operator had failed to follow its own policies, delaying enhanced due diligence checks even when required.

Repeat offences

This is not the first time Aspire Global has faced regulatory action in the UK.

In 2022, the operator paid £237,600 as part of another settlement related to AML failings.

Given the repeat nature of these breaches, the Gambling Commission has issued a stern warning.

UKGC director of enforcement John Pierce said: “This case marks the second occasion that this operator has been subject to enforcement action.

“Its failure to uphold anti-money laundering standards, delays in necessary interventions, and deficiencies in social responsibility measures are wholly unacceptable.”

Pierce emphasised that operators must enforce strict AML policies and respond swiftly to signs of suspicious activity, adding: “This case stands as a clear warning to all operators that repeated regulatory failings will result in increasingly stringent enforcement action.”

Aggravating and mitigating factors

The Commission highlighted several aggravating factors in its decision. The failings were serious and had the potential to impact the licensing objectives.

Moreover, compliance assessments in 2023 repeatedly found breaches, some recurring from earlier reviews.

The company had also been subject to a previous operating licence review, and the breaches occurred in circumstances similar to past cases where the Commission had already issued guidance to the wider industry.

However, the Commission also acknowledged mitigating factors. Aspire Global has since taken steps to address these issues, implementing an action plan, cooperating fully with the investigation, and agreeing to a third-party audit to ensure compliance and improve internal training.