Paddy Power Betfair Penalised Two Million Pounds for Social Responsibility Breaches by Gambling Commission

Paddy Power Betfair, a leading operator in the online betting sector, has been compelled to pay a penalty of two million pounds following an investigation by the Gambling Commission which identified significant shortcomings in the company’s social responsibility protocols. The failings centred on delays in intervening when customers engaged in high-stakes or compulsive betting behaviours.

The assessment, conducted last year, revealed multiple instances where Paddy Power Betfair did not take prompt action while customers wagered substantial sums. In one case, a client lost six thousand pounds after placing eighty-six thousand pounds in bets over a sixteen-day period, with a manual review occurring only after losses escalated. Another example involved a customer making more than three hundred bets totalling twenty thousand pounds in a single session lasting over seven hours, again without timely interruption from the operator.

Four entities under the Paddy Power and Betfair brands, including PPB Entertainment, PPB Counterparty Services, Betfair Casino, and TSE Malta, are included in the enforcement. The commission noted a clear lapse in monitoring behaviours such as rapid increases in deposits, extended overnight gambling sessions, and significant deviations in betting patterns. Issues were not typically flagged or acted upon until retrospectively, rather than in real time as required.

John Pierce, director of enforcement at the Gambling Commission, stated that the two million pound penalty reflects the gravity of the identified deficiencies and underscores the necessity for strict adherence to social responsibility standards. He emphasised that such failings are unacceptable, regardless of the company’s subsequent cooperation and remedial action plan.

The business has faced previous penalties; in May 2023, the commission imposed a fine of four hundred ninety thousand pounds on Paddy Power Betfair for distributing promotional materials to customers who had self-excluded from gambling activities. The company asserts that its safety protocols have evolved markedly and that most checks now occur in real time, facilitated by a new customer safety platform.

Flutter, the parent group of Paddy Power Betfair, maintains that customer protection remains its highest priority, with ongoing investments in technology and staff training aimed at strengthening industry standards. The firm contends that the issues highlighted by the investigation have been addressed and would not recur under current operational safeguards.