Merkur Slots UK Limited has been issued a £95,450 fine by the Gambling Commission following an investigation into its failure to adhere to social responsibility standards at one of its adult gaming centres in Stockport.
The fine stems from the operator’s treatment of a customer who lost £1,981 over a period between November 1 and November 3, 2023. The Commission’s investigation revealed that Merkur Slots UK did not intervene or engage with the customer during their extended gambling session, which lasted from 1:50 PM to 6:43 PM on November 1 and from 1:28 PM on November 2 until 12:57 AM on November 3.
This oversight violated the Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), which require that gambling businesses take proactive steps to minimize the risk of harm to customers. According to the LCCP, premises-based operators must identify customers who may be at risk and take appropriate action to address any signs of gambling-related harm.
The fine underscores the importance of operators complying with responsible gambling regulations and ensuring that adequate measures are in place to protect customers. This case highlights the ongoing focus by the Gambling Commission on ensuring that all operators in the UK gambling sector meet the highest standards of social responsibility.
Andrew Rhodes, Commission CEO, said: “This was a clearcut case of an operator failing to follow rules aimed at keeping consumers safe from harm.
“In recent years there have been a number of cases of online gambling businesses failing to meet their social responsibility obligations – but this investigation shows that land-based operators also need to make sure they are minimising the risk to customers experiencing harms associated with gambling.
“All operators should make sure that not only do they have policies and procedures aimed at preventing harm in place, but also that staff are effectively trained to follow and implement them.”
