Letter to the gambling sector published by Competition and Markets Authority and Gambling Commission

“On 29th April the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the Gambling Commission (the Commission) published a letter following their work on suspected breaches of consumer protection law in the remote gambling sector. The work focused on fairness and transparency and the potential for consumers to be misled by practices relating to online bonus promotions and obstacles preventing customers from withdrawing funds.

The work resulted in six gambling firms providing undertakings to the CMA not to continue or repeat certain practices which were deemed unfair. The Commission ruled that all gambling firms would need to comply with the requirements set out in the published undertakings and all firms should now have amended their terms and conditions accordingly.

The letter urges firms to continue auditing business systems and practices and to scrutinise affiliates and third party suppliers, as firms are responsible for the actions of affiliates and third party suppliers under the current Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice.

The CMA have stated their intention to continue working with the Commission to address unfair terms and practices and ensure the fair treatment of consumers.

The full letter can be viewed here:-  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/joint-letter-from-the-cma-and-the-gambling-commission“