Intouch Games has had its operating licences suspended by the UK Gambling Commission, which becomes the latest action taken after three penalty packages were handed down over the past four years.
The regulator is to commence a review under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005 following concerns that activities may have been carried out contrary to licensing conditions. This may mean that the licensee may be deemed unsuitable to continue with activities.
It is suspected the operator failed to follow licence conditions related to money laundering, fair and transparent terms and practices, and reporting key events.
In January, the UKGC cited a “history of failings” in handing down a £6.1m penalty, taking its total to £11.7m, for social responsibility and money laundering failings.
This followed a £2.2m settlement being paid in 2019 for regulatory failures, as well as a £3.4m action and warning in 2021 after a UKGC assessment revealed social responsibility, money laundering and marketing failures.
Intouch Games, which operates Bonus Boss, Cashmo, mFortune, Casino 2020, Dr Slot, Jammy Monkey, Mr Spin, Pocket Win and Slot Factory, can be contacted through its sites. The suspension does not affect consumers accessing accounts and withdrawing funds.
“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,” the regulator noted.
The Commission will not reveal any further information about the case until the outcome of its licence review is finalised.
An Intouch Games update on its range of sites reads: “We are sorry that we have had to temporarily close this website due to suspension on our operating licence with the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. This means that you can not play any games or deposit funds.
“We are working closely with the UKGC to get the site reactivated and we will provide regular updates for our customers.
“In the meantime, please be assured that your deposits remain safeguarded and are available to withdraw, if you wish to.”
In addition, the Betting and Gaming Council has also responded to the news, noting that the industry body is suspending the group’s membership pending additional details and overall outcome from a regulatory investigation.
A spokesperson for the BGC said: “Following the suspension of their operating licence by the Gambling Commission, consistent with our strict rules, we are immediately suspending In Touch Games Ltd’s membership of the BGC while the details of the case are investigated.
“As the standards body representing the regulated industry, our top priority is ensuring that the interests of In Touch Games Ltd’s customers are protected.”
The UKGC has issued a slew of financial penalties this year, with Betfred sanctioned £3.25m in July, with Star Racing and a £594,000 financial penalty Videoslots, via a $2m sanction, and SkillOnNet (£305,150) also among the latest to fall foul.
Earlier in the year, 888 vowed to continue collaborative efforts alongside the regulator after the William Hill Group received a record £19.2m penalty for an array of social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures.
The financial punishment, which surpassed the £17m issued to Entain last year, saw Mr Green pay £3.7m, while William Hill’s online business penalised £12.5m and a further £3m was aligned to the company’s retail operations.
This followed 10bet’s £620,000 penalty package, TonyBet being penalised £442,750 and Vivaro, trading as VBet, making payments in lieu of a penalty package of £337,631. The Commission also penalised the Kindred Group’s Unibet and 32Red brands a combined £7.1m.
