British online gaming company 888 Holdings posted a US$17 million net loss in the first half of the year on exceptional charges of $50.8 million, including a settlement with the UK Gambling Commission.

In a regulatory filing, 888 reported that the UK Gambling Commission’s record £7.8 million (US$10 million) fine and charges for tax provisions in Germany dealt a heavy blow in the company as it saw a reversal of fortune this year from a profit of $27.8 million last year.

The British gambling watchdog slapped 888 with a hefty fine last week after it was found liable for allowing over 7,000 customers who had chosen to self-exclude from their casino, poker or sports betting platform to access the firm’s bingo platform via a technical failure.

“888 takes its obligations as a responsible operator seriously and remains dedicated to providing players with a responsible as well as enjoyable gaming experience,” the firm said. “During the period 888 announced that it had been informed that the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission (‘UKGC’) was conducting licence review of its licensed activities. 888 worked cooperatively and closely with the UKGC and reached a resolution to this process which was published on 31 August 2017.”