Merkur Slots UK Fined £95,450 for Failing to Prevent Gambling Harm
The UK Gambling Commission has fined Merkur Slots UK £95,450 ($119,000) for failing to uphold its social responsibility obligations. The penalty follows an investigation into the operator’s handling of a customer who lost £1,981 over two days at its Stockport venue without intervention.
Extended Gambling Sessions Went Unchecked
Regulators found that the individual gambled for nearly five hours on November 1 and then for more than 11 hours between November 2 and 3. Despite these extended sessions, Merkur Slots did not take steps to engage with the customer or assess potential harm, breaching the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP).
The Gambling Commission reaffirmed that land-based operators must meet the same responsible gambling standards as online businesses.
“This was a clearcut case of an operator failing to follow rules aimed at keeping consumers safe from harm. 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”, commented Andrew Rhodes, CEO of the Commission.
The regulator continues to monitor compliance across the industry, emphasizing the need for effective harm prevention policies and staff training.
Merkur Group Undergoing Leadership Changes
This enforcement action comes as Merkur Group prepares for significant leadership transitions in January 2025, signaling a period of organizational change for the company.