UKGC suspends two operator licences for GAMSTOP integration failures
Regulator levies first-of-its-kind sanction on Prophet owner Dynamic Bets but lifts suspension on Sportito
The Gambling Commission has suspended the licences of sports betting firms Dynamic Bets and Sportito for failing to fully integrate with the UK’s national self-exclusion scheme, Gamstop.
In addition, individual licence reviews have been launched by the UKGC into each of the operators suspended. Dynamic Bets powers the Prophet trading platform.
However, Malta-based DFS sports betting firm Sportito has since had its licence reinstated after fully integrating the Gamstop scheme.
The suspensions are the first of their kind following the addition of a mandatory requirement for all UK licensed operators to participate in the Gamstop scheme under LCCP requirements from 31 March.
Dynamic Bets operates the Prophet brand via its betprophet.com website, which launched in October 2019. The site is billed as the ‘only independent, secondary marketplace designed for users to optimally cash out on sports bets’.
At the time of writing, the betprophet website is still live and accepting sign-ups from new players, although there are no markets left to buy or sell.
Sportito primarily offers DFS to UK players and is currently the official fantasy sports partner of EFL Championship team Queens Park Rangers.
Speaking to EGR, Sportito CEO Riccardo Mittiga said the licence suspension had only been for a short period due to a “minor technical integration issue” with the Gamstop scheme.
“It was promptly solved once Gamstop reported it to us. We are fully committed to the Gamstop programme and to following the UKGC directives to protect all customers,” Mittiga said.
“It should also be noted that in the few hours where the integration failed no player was active on the site because of the suspension of all sports activities due to the Covid-19 outbreak,” Mittiga added.
Speaking about the twin suspensions, UKGC CEO Neil McArthur said it was important to demonstrate that the regulator is “ready and willing” to use its powers to protect consumers.
“We took action because the operators had not complied by the deadline, which placed vulnerable consumers at risk. One of the suspensions has now been lifted as the operator is now compliant. Our investigations into both operators continues,” McArthur said.