UK CMA launch enforcement action against online gambling operators

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), in collabroation with the UK Gambling Commission, has announced it is launching enforcement action against a number of unidentified online gambling operators who it alleges are in breach of consumer law.

The investigation was founded on the CMA’s belief that “people aren’t getting the deal they expect from sign up promotions” and that operators are “unfairly holding on to people’s money”. In addition, the CMA cited confusing, unclear, and sometimes, unfair terms and conditions in forming its investigation.

“Gambling operators must treat customers fairly – but some have been relying on terms that are unclear with too many strings attached,” Gambling Commission Chief Executive, Sarah Harrison, said.

Harrison warned that the UK Gambling Commission will take decisive action on operators who the CMA deem aren’t in compliance with consumer law and will consider those actions to be a breach of operating licensing conditions.

The CMA initiated its investigation late last year based on interviews with “800 unhappy customers” and its own Q&A with online gambling operators.

“This investigation is part of a joint programme of work with the Gambling Commission to tackle issues around fairness and transparency in the gambling industry. As well as the enforcement cases, the investigation may lead to further action, from the CMA or the Gambling Commission, to improve practices across the online gambling sector”, the CMA’s press statement reads.

More information here: https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/online-gambling and http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/2017/Gambling-operators-face-landmark-enforcement-action-over-unfair-practices-and-promotions.aspx

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