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Lessons to be learned from failures at Paddy Power Group

29 February 2016

An operator is set to share lessons with the wider industry and contribute £280,000 to socially responsible causes after failing to keep crime out of gambling and protect vulnerable people.

Paddy Power has also agreed to improve its anti-money laundering and social responsibility processes following a Gambling Commission investigation.

The failings relate to the way Paddy Power handled relationships with two customers at one of its betting shops, and with one of its online customers who was later convicted of serious criminal offences.

All operators are advised to read Paddy Power Group: Failures in anti-money laundering (remote and non-remote) and social responsibility controls (non-remote) for further details and lessons to be learned.

Richard Watson, Programme Director at the Commission said: “We expect the industry will learn the lessons from this case – it is their duty to keep crime out of gambling and protect vulnerable people from harm. If operators don’t implement processes and policies aimed at doing this then they risk losing their operating licence. Paddy Power failed in its dealing with three customers and is now facing the consequences of these actions in a very public way.”

Details of how Paddy Power failed to meet its anti-money laundering and social responsibility duties are included in the Commission’s public statement.

Public statements

Public statements are only available online for 3 years from the date of issue. If you require a copy of a historic public statement, contact us with details of the statement you require.

Note to editors

  1. More information about how we regulate the gambling industry.
  2. Useful statistics on the gambling industry.
  3. More information on prevention of money-laundering.
  4. Read more about voluntary settlements on page 11 of Statement of principles for licensing and regulation.

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Last updated: 22 March 2021

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