HMRC Reports UKGC Over AML Compliance Checks

The figures show the UKGC spent around £227,700 on AML work in 2023–24. That’s only a small rise from previous years. In 2022–23, the budget was £194,000, and it was £213,000 the year before that. Many are questioning whether that’s enough to keep up with the fast-moving world of financial crime.

Even more concerning is the sharp drop in enforcement action. The UKGC issued just seven fines in the last year, totalling £9 million. That’s a big dip compared to 19 fines worth £53.5 million the year before and many people are speculating about whether this is an effective use of resources (or effective protection for players).

The UKGC continues to oversee hundreds of casino operators, most of them online. Many of these are linked to overseas ownership in places like Malta, Cyprus, the British Virgin Islands, and the US. This global spread makes monitoring even harder.

Staffing levels are another sticking point. Only five full-time employees focus solely on AML and Counter-Terrorist Financing. Although more staff help part-time, there are concerns about how effective the team really is against the backdrop of an industry making significant profits.

John Pierce, the UKGC’s enforcement director, has criticised operators for ticking boxes without actually addressing the risks. He says some companies treat compliance like a checklist instead of truly monitoring customer activity.

At the same time, online gambling revenue is growing fast. In late 2024, total online gross gambling yield hit £1.54 billion, a 21% increase from the previous year. That growth, paired with fewer active accounts, raises questions about whether high-spending players are being properly monitored.