Retail betting shops will pay less tax compared to online operators. However, recent enforcement action against Betfred shows that the sector remains highly exposed to serious regulatory consequences.
On December 3, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) announced that Done Brothers (Cash Betting) Limited – the company behind Betfred’s retail division – has been fined £825,000 for breaches of social responsibility and anti-money laundering (AML) requirements.
This is the second time Betfred has faced enforcement. Previously, the Commission found that licensing requirements regarding social responsibility and AML were not being fully met across the company’s retail network of 1,400 betting shops.
In 2023, the company had already paid £3.25 million to the Commission after the regulator concluded that several shops had insufficient controls and poor record keeping. Nonetheless, this amount remains lower than the record fines imposed on Entain (owner of Ladbrokes Coral) – £17 million in 2022 – and William Hill (then already Evoke) – £19.2 million in 2023.
John Pierce, Commission Director of Enforcement, said: “While the failings identified during the 2024 Compliance Assessment were predominantly technical breaches rather than arising from specific customer examples, they were nevertheless unacceptable, particularly with thresholds appearing too high and insufficiently risk based when assessed in practice, and deficiencies in some processes and procedures adopted by the Licensee.”
The violations identified by the Commission will be familiar, since most enforcement actions in recent years have focused on AML and social responsibility issues.
In this case, the Commission found that Betfred failed to effectively manage money laundering risks associated with B3 gaming machines. The operator did not have an effective policy for dealing with customers subject to financial sanctions, and had set incorrect risk-based thresholds: £15,000 in losses and £125,000 in stakes over 365 days.
From a social responsibility standpoint, it was determined that spending levels and financial indicators of potential gambling harm related to B3 machine use were not properly identified. When risks were detected, customer interactions did not always take place, and when they did, the Commission considers that they did not sufficiently reduce the risk of gambling harm. Finally, the quality of interactions did not meet the required standards.
Nevertheless, the regulator noted that Betfred has taken the necessary steps to address the identified deficiencies.
“We fully acknowledge the improvements the operator has already made since these issues were identified, and the independent audit will be key to confirming these changes are sustained so that the operator continues to be fully compliant with social responsibility and anti-money laundering requirements,” said Pierce.
The retail network is the foundation of Betfred’s business, although the company also has a significant online presence – a sportsbook and casino.
Changes to the UK’s tax system, announced last week, may lead the company to revise its product strategy, as CEO Joanne Whittaker previously hinted in interviews with The Times and SBC News. As part of the budget presented by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, it was announced that Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) will increase from 21% to 40% in April 2026, and General Betting Duty (GBD) from 15% to 25% in March 2027.
However, the GBD increase includes several exemptions, and retail betting is largely spared from the new charges. Most of the burden falls on online gaming. This will significantly affect the online operations of omnichannel companies like Betfred, although their retail businesses will remain almost untouched in comparison.
According to the Commission, retail betting participation and gross gaming yield (GGY) are declining, while online indicators continue to grow. Exemption from GBD may give retail the breathing room it needs, although shop closures remain a possible cost-cutting measure for operators.
Meanwhile, enforcement actions like this show that the retail sector is also vulnerable. With ongoing political pressure on the entire industry, operators will need to operate flawlessly to ensure long-term sustainability during one of the most challenging periods in the sector’s history.
Betfred issued the following statement regarding the UKGC decision:
“Following a review of our UK-based betting shops by the Gambling Commission we have further strengthened our Anti-Money Laundering and Social Responsibility policies. During the review, the Commission found no evidence of criminal spend in our shops. Betfred is committed to ensuring a safe gambling experience for all our customers.”
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