888 slapped with record $10M fine for failure to protect problem gamblers

The UK Gambling Commission has slapped online bookmaker 888 Holdings Plc. with a record £7.8 million (US$10.01 million) for failing to stop problem gamblers using its services.

In an announcement posted on its website on Thursday, the British gambling watchdog has found 888 liable for allowing over 7,000 customers who have chosen to self-exclude from their casino, poker or sports betting platform to be able to access the firm’s bingo platform via technical failure.

Sarah Harrison, chief executive at the Gambling Commission, pointed out that the hefty fine is a reflection of “the seriousness of 888’s failings to protect vulnerable customers.”

“The 888 sanction package will ensure those affected don’t lose out, that the operator pays the price for its failings via a sum that will go to tackling gambling-related harm, and that independent assurance will be given to see that lessons are learnt,” Harrison said in a statement.