32Red hit with $2.6M fine failing to protect problem gambler

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) slapped British online casino operator 32Red with a £2million fine for failing to protect a problem gambler.

The £2million penalty includes £709,046 ($933,214) divestment of the financial gain, a £1.3million ($1.7 million) payment to be used on the National Responsible Gambling Strategy that tackles problem gambling, and £15,000 ($19,742) towards the cost of the investigation, according to the UKGC.

The UK gambling regulator admonished 32Red for failing to carry out social responsibility or money laundering checks when it allowed its VIP customer with problem gambling behavior to deposit £758,000 ($997,645).

“Instead of checking on the welfare of a customer displaying problem gambling behavior, 32Red encouraged the customer to gamble more—this is the exact opposite of what they are supposed to be doing,” UKGC Executive Director Richard Watson said in a statement.