The Gambling Commission has suspended the licences of two UK betting operators, Bet St George and BresBet.
This is the latest example of the regulator clamping down on the missteps of the gambling industry, coming after enforcement actions against larger companies QuinnBet and Evolution.
Nic Brereton is involved in both businesses, founding BresBet and chairing Bet St George.
Both operators’ suspensions follow Commission enquiries which the regulator states “revealed suspected social responsibility and anti-money laundering failings”.
It comes just over a year after BresBet received its own licence, having previously operated via a white label partnership since 2021. Bet St George had only launched in the UK this March.
Though the announcement was brief, serious breaches must have occurred given operators have generally been forced to pay settlements in the past rather than having their licence temporarily removed.
An ongoing review is now taking place, and neither business will be able to have their licence back until the regulator is satisfied that they are compliant.
“It has been made clear to both operators that during the course of the suspension they are expected to treat consumers fairly and keep them fully informed of any developments which impact them,” the Commission said.
“The suspension, which takes place immediately, does not prevent either operator from allowing consumers to access their accounts and withdrawing funds. Both businesses can be contacted through their websites.”
Bet St George’s UK journey yet to pass embryonic stage
As stated, Bet St George launched in the UK just five months ago. The firm gained the relevant licences to operate as a casino and sportsbook in December 2025 and spoke to SBC News in March after its launch.
The opportunity to launch a second brand focused on patriotism was enticing. Andre Au, Head of Marketing at Bet St George, affirmed that “England hasn’t really had a bookmaker built around its national sporting identity”.
The firm has been emulating the operations of similar nation-focused UK brands – McBookie in Scotland and DragonBet in Wales, specifically.
Bet St George was very vocal during its initial launch, with targeted marketing campaigns around Cheltenham Festival and an exclusive interview with SBC News.
Its marketing has not seemed to come to a complete halt since the suspension though, as a Bet St George advert was heard on talkSPORT’s GameDay Live with Sam Matterface on Sunday 30 August – two days after the Commission announced its licence suspension.
Both BresBet and Bet St George have posted on social media since the announcement, posting near-identical statements on X to confirm their unavailability following the suspension and that further updates will be provided “when appropriate”.
The operators confirmed that they are “not currently accepting bets”.
They also stated that they are “dealing with a high volume of enquiries” but assured customers that “any bets already placed will stand and be settled as normal” and their account balances “remain safe and unaffected”.
SBC News has contacted Bet St George and BresBet for comment.