In Touch Games, a popular mobile casino operator, has had its Gambling Commission Betting and Gaming (GCB) license temporarily suspended, according to a statement from the UK Gambling Commission. The regulator reached the decision after concerns regarding certain aspects of the company's operations.
Although the statement didn't mention any reasons for the license suspension, the Gambling Commission said it is working with In Touch Games to address the matter and ensure that all necessary procedures are followed to rectify the situation.
The regulator said it launched a thorough review of the Gambling Act 2005, section 116, before suspending the license. There were suspicions that the operator had been running operations outside the mandate in its license, making its legitimacy as a licensee questionable.
In Touch Games is being investigated for allegedly violating critical conditions in its UK Gambling Commission license. The investigations pertain to the operator's inability to prevent money laundering, having unclear terms of service, and failure to report pertinent activities promptly.
During the license suspension, the Commission has made its expectations clear to the operator. The regulator emphasized that the operator must ensure all players from the United Kingdom receive fair treatment and kept abreast of any changes that could affect their accounts. The suspension is effective immediately and does not prevent customers on all mobile casinos operated by In Touch Games from accessing their accounts and withdrawing funds.
At the same time, the Betting and Gaming Council suspended the operator in light of the UKGC decision. Commenting on the suspension, the Council's spokesperson declared:
"Following the suspension of their operating license 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."
Interestingly, this is not the first time the mobile casino operator finds itself in trouble in the United Kingdom. In January, the Gambling Commission slapped the operator with a £6.1 million fine after investigations revealed money laundering and social responsibility failings.
