Online gambling - third-party accounts

Request

• Is the Gambling Commission aware that the Economic Crime Units and/ or Serious Crime Directorates of various police authorities across the UK are looking to confiscate the winnings and prosecute people who gamble online using third-party accounts?
• Have the Gambling Commission been consulted on the use of third party betting accounts being fraud by false representation?
• Have the Gambling Commission been consulted on a police force successfully obtaining a prosecution or Account Forfeiture Order against a pro-gambler using third party accounts on the basis that using an account in someone else’s name even with their permission is fraud by false representation?
• Will the Gambling Commission look into licensed betting operators and review how they balance their books by placing bets with rival companies using bets placed by third parties in-shop and online?

Response

Thank you for your request which has been processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

In your email you have requested:

• Is the Gambling Commission aware that the Economic Crime Units and/ or Serious Crime Directorates of various police authorities across the UK are looking to confiscate the winnings and prosecute people who gamble online using third-party accounts?
• Have the Gambling Commission been consulted on the use of third party betting accounts being fraud by false representation?
• Have the Gambling Commission been consulted on a police force successfully obtaining a prosecution or Account Forfeiture Order against a pro-gambler using third party accounts on the basis that using an account in someone else’s name even with their permission is fraud by false representation?
• Will the Gambling Commission look into licensed betting operators and review how they balance their books by placing bets with rival companies using bets placed by third parties in-shop and online?

The FOIA gives individuals the right to request only recorded information held by public authorities, such as the Gambling Commission. It does not provide an avenue for individuals to gain views or opinions of public authorities or information not held at the time the request is made.

As this is not a request for specific recorded information we are unable to provide any information in line with the FOIA.

We can advise that the Commission will offer support to law enforcement agencies where possible and relevant advice will be provided on a case-by-case basis. However, it should be noted that we are unable to comment on investigatory work carried out by ourselves or by law enforcement agencies.

Review of the decision

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your Freedom of Information request you are entitled to an internal review of our decision. You should write to FOI Team, Gambling Commission, 4th floor, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B2 4BP or by reply to this email.

Please note, internal review requests should be made within 40 working days of the initial response. Requests made outside this timeframe will not be processed.

If you are not content with the outcome of our review, you may then apply directly to the Information Commissioner (ICO) for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have already exhausted the review procedure provided by the Gambling Commission.

The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office (opens in a new tab), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Information Management Team
Gambling Commission
Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham B2 4BP