BGO Entertainment Suspends UK Activities Following Regulatory Action
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Who: BGO Entertainment, an online casino operator based in Gibraltar.
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What: Immediate suspension of its UK operations following an investigation by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
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Why:
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The UKGC believes BGO breached its licensing conditions, particularly in relation to:
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Consumer protection.
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Anti-money laundering (AML) controls.
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Activities were suspended under Section 118 of the 2005 Gambling Act.
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BGO had previously paid $2.7 million in 2017 due to AML failings.
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When: Issues were noted from September 2018 to March 2020, but the suspension was enforced recently.
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Current Status:
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UKGC has not shared further details.
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BGO has posted notices on its websites (bgo.com, vegasluck.com, chili.com, powerspins.com).
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Players can withdraw funds, but no deposits or bets are allowed during the suspension.
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BGO is cooperating with the UKGC to resolve the issues.
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International Operations:
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Non-UK users can still access BGO’s services via 7Casino.com, which operates under an Alderney licence.
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Wider Context:
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The UKGC is increasing its scrutiny on online gambling, especially for AML compliance and consumer protection.
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Gibraltar hosts about 15 gaming firms, contributing to 12% of its workforce. Several are listed on the London Stock Exchange.
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