No mercy to non-conformists by UKGC

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) have upped their game on dealing with casino brands operating within UK. Neil McArthur, CEO of the well-known regulatory board, demonstrated the organization's strict policy towards non-conformists by saying that they will face a "relentless escalation" in penalties. McArthur seems to be pointing out the path UKGC has been on with regards to marketing campaigns, compliance and money-laundering activities is one of rigid determinism.

An interview with the Financial Times was the perfect opportunity for UKGC's CEO to once again make more than clear that the organization will not tolerate operators that ignore signs of problem gambling or funds from money-laundering. McArthur seems set on retaining the same stringent measures to ensure that brands abide by the board's rules. He also announced that there will be even greater fines as was evident in the last 12 months. Operators that failed to comply with UKGC's regulations paid a total of £18 million as a corrective measure last year. Taking into account that the year before the total amount came down to £1.6 million, one can easily see that the organization is determined to not go soft.

The largest amount of last year's penalties was paid by 3 brands, namely William Hill, Coral Interactive, and 888 Holdings, mostly due to not taking UKGC rules' implementation very seriously. While the 3 operators found the fines extremely strict and excessive, none resisted payments. McArthur concluded by emphasizing that the board will definitely continue on this path.

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Established in 1926, Coral is one of the most prominent betting brands among the UK and Irish bettors. It was one of the first that took advantage of the legislation changes, which led to its first betting office opening in 1961. Over the years, the ownership of the company has changed hands numerous times. Today, being part of the experienced Entain Group and holding multiple licenses create a feeling of safety and stability. Although the overall payout is below par, the horse, greyhound, and football sections are packed, with thousands of events and markets available every month. Among UK bookmakers, Coral had one of the smoothest transitions from high street to online betting. Nonetheless, there are a couple of areas I would like to see some improvements. Even though the website is easy to use, it does not keep up with the current gamification trends. It is evident that the bookie still mainly depends on the High Street Shops for revenue. Moreover, international expansion has not been prioritized, which is peculiar for a company of this caliber. I would like to see them accepting players from more countries in the near future. Overall, Coral remains a top choice for horse and football bettors in the UK and Ireland.