William Hill Organization Limited

Account number

2752

Head office address

William Hill Bookmakers, 1 Bedford Avenue,
LONDON, WC1B 3AU, United Kingdom

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Summary menu

Regulatory actions

Settlement

What is a settlement?

Following an investigation into a licence holder we may enter into a regulatory settlement. These take place, for example, where the licence holder has been open and transparent with us and has shown a willingness to suggest actions that prevent the need for a more formal sanction.

Decision date: 28 March 2023

Outcomes: Divestment, Payment in lieu of financial penalty, Commission costs, Variation to apply conditions to licence and Public statement

Details of action

This investigation followed a compliance assessment and resulted in the commencement of a section 116 regulatory review of William Hill Organization Limited (WH Retail / the Licensee).

The regulatory review found failings in the Licensee’s processes which were aimed at preventing Money Laundering (ML), and safer gambling.

Between 1 January 2020 and 18 October 20212, the Licensee failed to comply with certain Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), specifically:

• paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of licence condition 12.1.1, requiring the conducting of an appropriate risk assessment, the implementation of appropriate policies and procedures and keeping such policies under review to ensure their effectiveness, all with the objective of preventing ML and Terrorist Financing (TF)
• paragraphs 1 and 2 of Social Responsibility Code Provision (SRCP) 3.4.1, requiring licensees to interact with customers in a way which minimises the risk of customers experiencing harms associated with gambling, and to take into account the Commission’s guidance on customer interaction.

Taking into account remedial action taken by the Licensee and in line with our Statement of principles for licensing and regulation, the Licensee will voluntarily make a payment in lieu of a financial penalty of £2,999,850 which includes a divestment of £244,026.95, and will vary its licence to add additional licence conditions. 

More information about this case can be found on the Commission's website, here: William Hill Organization Limited Public Statement (gamblingcommission.gov.uk)