UKGC suspends BGO Entertainment's license, cites failures to protect consumers

The operating license of BGO Entertainment Limited has been suspended by the UK Gambling Commission, as it carries out a review under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005, announced the regulating body last Friday. According to the Commission, failures to protect consumers were key factors for reaching this decision.

The review and consequent suspension follow concerns that activities “may have been carried out” contrary to the Act and not in accordance with license conditions. In consequence, the UKGC says that the licensee “may be unsuitable to carry on the licensed activities.” The alleged activities have not been listed by the Commission.

The suspension has been authorized under section 118, which states the Commission may review any matter connected with the provision of facilities for gambling as authorized by an operating license if the UKGC has reason to suspect that activities may have been carried on in purported reliance on the license, “but not in accordance with a condition of the license.”

The section also states reviews can be launched if the Commission suspects that, for any reason, the licensee “may be unsuitable to carry on the licensed activities”, or thinks that a review would be appropriate.

“We have made it clear to the operator that during the course of the suspension, we expect it to focus on treating consumers fairly and keeping them fully informed of any developments which impact them,” said the Commission in a statement.

The UKGC further clarifies that the suspension does not prevent the operator from allowing consumers to access their accounts and withdrawing funds. BGO, the operator of bgo.com, m.bgo.com, powerspins.com, vegasluck.com and chilli.com, can still “be contacted through its websites.”

BGO has issued a statement on the suspension to its customers, both via email and through their websites. “Following a notification from the Gambling Commission of Great Britain that BGO Entertainment limited operating license has been suspended, it is with regret that we have to inform you that UK players are not currently permitted to access any of our services.”

“We’re working with the Gambling Commission to resolve this situation quickly, but in the meantime you are able to withdraw any funds currently in your account,” further stated the company. “Deposits will not be permitted.”

The UKGC has not indicated how long the suspension will last. In October 2020, BGO was issued with a £2 million payment as a financial penalty following a number of failures, which included not doing enough to keep consumers safe and failing to prevent money laundering and criminal spending.