Lottomart fined £360k by UKGC over AML and player safety breaches

The fine highlights growing concerns over repeated compliance failings across the industry.

Earlier this year, the UK government upgraded the gambling sector’s money laundering risk level from low to medium, which reiterated its determination to clamp down on weak compliance.

What were the failings?

A compliance review found Maple International’s systems between June 2023 and July 2024 fell short in multiple areas:

• Risk assessments ignored threats from organised crime gangs and mule accounts.

• Duplicate account detection was so weak a player bypassed checks by simply reversing their first and last names.

• Identity verification gaps allowed customers to transact beyond due diligence thresholds without being fully verified.

• Player protection tools failed to flag binge sessions, sudden spikes, overnight gambling or high-staking after wins.

• Customer interactions were delayed or absent, leaving potentially harmful play unchecked.

Here’s a quick overview of the regulator’s findings:

Category	UKGC Findings
AML Controls	Outdated risk assessments, mule accounts overlooked
Identity Verification	Unverified players allowed beyond thresholds
Duplicate Detection	Easy to evade by reversing name order
Player Protection	Failure to track binge play, spikes, overnight sessions

What does this mean for players?

For Lottomart players, the UKGC has made clear that there is no evidence that player funds were ever at risk. 

However, going forward, people with accounts at Lottomart can expect tighter KYC checks, stricter affordability checks, and reduced frictionless play. Players may also find they need to confirm account details, such as contact number, more frequently. 

The penalty, which includes a £50,000 divestment, will be channelled entirely into socially responsible causes such as GambleAware, GamCare, Ygam, the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, and university-led research projects.

Importantly, Maple International has:

• Cooperated fully with the investigation.

• Accepted the failings early.

• Already begun implementing corrective measures.

A wider crackdown on money laundering

This case comes at a time when the UKGC is increasing its scrutiny of operators. 

The regulator has made clear that even companies with previously clean compliance histories, as Maple International, will not be spared if controls are lacking.

The issue is not confined to the UK. In Greece, officials are currently being investigated for using gambling activities as a channel for money laundering, highlighting the scale of the challenge worldwide.

The UKGC’s message to the industry

John Pierce, the UKGC’s Director of Enforcement, reinforced the Commission’s stance:

“The cornerstone of every licensed business must be the proper implementation of effective policies and procedures aimed at making gambling crime-free and safer.”

The UKGC has urged all operators to review Maple International’s case and test their own systems. It is also revising its guidance on financial penalties to deliver greater transparency and consistency across enforcement actions.

An evolving threat

The Lottomart fine is a reminder that compliance cannot stand still. With financial crime threats evolving rapidly, operators must continually update risk assessments and player protection measures.

With fines increasing in frequency and severity, the Lottomart case serves as a warning that even mid-size operators will face costly consequences for weak safeguards.