The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has suspended the operating licence of BGO Entertainment effective immediately – citing concerns that the operator may be unsuitable to carry out licensed activities.
Issuing a statement, the Commission confirmed that Gibraltar-based BGO had been placed under its licensing review in accordance with Section 116 of the 2005 Gambling Act.
BGO’s immediate suspension has been authorised under Section 118 (2) of the Act – which allows the Commission to suspend a licence under investigation if it deems that “activities have been carried on in a manner which is inconsistent with the licensing objectives”.
“The review and consequent suspension follow concerns that activities may have been carried out contrary to the Act, not in accordance with conditions of their licence and that the Licensee may be unsuitable to carry on the licensed activities. Failing to protect consumers was a key consideration in the suspension decision.” – The UKGC’s statement explained.
Last Autumn, the UKGC imposed ‘new restrictions’ on BGO’s licence, as the operator was judged to have systemic failures related to AML controls and customer care duties, recorded during the period of September 2018 to March 2020.
BGO was forced to pay a £2 million settlement and undertake ‘enhanced due diligence checks on its top 250 customers as a compliance obligation of the UK’s Money Laundering Regulations of 2017.
The UKGC provided no information with regards to BGO’s sudden suspension but stated that the operator “must keep customers fully informed of any developments which impact them”.
Issuing a statement on the websites of Bgo.com, powerspins.com, vegasluck.com and chilli.com – BGO informed customers that “we are working with the Gambling Commission to resolve this situation quickly, but in the meantime, you are able to withdraw any funds currently in your account. Deposits will not be permitted.”