The Gambling Commission (UKGC) has launched a formal review of Evolution’s licence over potential ties to unlicensed operators.

According to an Evolution announcement, the review, which is a serious regulatory step, was prompted by concerns about Evolution’s games being accessible to UK consumers through operators that do not hold a UKGC licence.

According to the UKGC, the review could result in various outcomes, depending on its findings.

The possible outcomes range from no further action being taken, to the imposition of licence conditions or financial penalties, or even the suspension or revocation of Evolution’s operating licence.

Evolution, which also recently received a fine in Pennsylvania, has responded proactively to the Commission’s concerns. The company said it is cooperating fully with the investigation and has already implemented certain corrective measures to address the issue.

Meanwhile, the supplier said it has disabled access to its games on the websites identified as lacking a UKGC licence, but did not specify the sites in question. The company also emphasised its commitment to resolving the matter and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

While the UK market accounts for only around 3% of Evolution’s total revenue, the investigation could have broader implications for its reputation and operations.

The global gaming giant is primarily known for its cutting-edge live casino products. Any regulatory action from a major authority like the UKGC could potentially influence its standing in other jurisdictions.

Doubling down on oversight

The development comes at a time when regulatory scrutiny of the gambling industry is intensifying globally. Authorities in various regions are implementing stricter measures to ensure that operators comply with licensing requirements and promote responsible gambling.

The UK, in particular, has been at the forefront of these efforts, with the UKGC frequently reviewing operators to ensure adherence to its standards.

Last month, Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes doubled down on the oversight. He urged operators to thoroughly vet their supplier partners to ensure they are not inadvertently facilitating illegal gambling activities.

Rhodes also emphasised that due diligence is crucial in preventing connections to the unregulated gambling market.

“The Commission’s approach to tackling illegal gambling is focused on creating significant upstream disruption. This is why we target entities like internet service providers, payment processors, search engines, software suppliers, and others,” Rhodes said during the Commission’s annual meeting with gambling industry CEOs.

Despite this call to action, some operators and other industry experts expressed concerns with the suggestion, asserting that it would be highly challenging for operators to oversee the actions of their B2B partners.

Representatives from trade organisations in Germany and Sweden echoed this sentiment, suggesting that it is the regulator’s responsibility to ensure all parties comply with the licensing requirements in their respective markets, not the operators themselves.

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