Failure to prevent fraud offence
28 May 2025
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) introduces a new corporate criminal offence of ‘failure to prevent fraud’, which may apply to some licensees.
Licensees are reminded that the new offence in the ECCTA will come into force on 1 September 2025.
The Gambling Commission draws relevant licensees’ attention to guidance (the Guidance) published by the Home Office on 6 November 2024 (opens in new tab) to assist organisations to navigate this corporate criminal fraud offence, and in making sure they take appropriate action to prevent fraud. Although the offence of failure to prevent fraud targets large organisations, the principles outlined in the Guidance represent good practice and may also be helpful to smaller organisations.
If licensees are unsure whether the offence of failure to prevent fraud applies to their business, or if they have queries about any other aspect of the offence, they are encouraged to seek professional legal advice.
The Commission expects all licensees to have effective measures in place to prevent gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime.
Further information can be found in the: