The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has concluded a licence review into Evolution Malta Holding Limited, with the company agreeing to a £4.75 million regulatory settlement after its games were found to have been made available via unlicensed websites accessible from Great Britain.
While Evolution is best known as a live online casino supplier, the company also provides games to many of the UK’s leading online bingo operators, making the settlement significant for businesses operating across the regulated bingo sector.
The settlement, announced by the Commission, consists of a payment in lieu of a financial penalty, the Commission’s investigation costs and the publication of a public statement, bringing to an end a licence review launched in December 2024 under Section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005.
Investigation centred on unlicensed gambling websites
The Gambling Commission opened its review after identifying Evolution content on websites that were available to British consumers despite not holding a UK gambling licence.
During the investigation, Evolution worked with the regulator to remove access to its games from the identified websites.
In a statement issued when the review commenced, the company said:
“Evolution has been informed by the UK Gambling Commission that it has commenced a review of Evolution Malta Holding Limited’s operating licence under Section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005.
The review was initiated after the Commission identified Evolution games being accessible from the UK through operators not holding a Commission licence.”
Evolution added:
“Evolution is cooperating fully with the Commission and has taken requested immediate actions to remedy the situation. Games on the identified websites not holding a Commission licence have been made unavailable from the UK. Evolution continues to actively work with the Commission to resolve this matter.”
Following its investigation, the UKGC confirmed the matter had now concluded through a £4.75 million regulatory settlement.
Why the case matters to the online bingo industry
Although the investigation did not involve a UK bingo operator directly, Evolution’s products are widely available across the UK’s regulated online gambling market, including many websites where bingo sits alongside casino games.
Evolution has grown into one of the industry’s largest gaming technology suppliers through a series of acquisitions, including NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming, Nolimit City and DigiWheel. Games from those studios feature on numerous UK-licensed online bingo websites operated by major brands.
Most licensed online bingo operators supplement their bingo products with slot games, instant win titles and live casino content supplied by third-party providers such as Evolution, making supplier compliance an important part of the wider regulated market.
Focus extends beyond operators
The settlement also demonstrates the Gambling Commission’s continued oversight of business-to-business licence holders as well as consumer-facing operators.
Rather than focusing solely on the operators offering gambling to consumers, the Commission’s investigation examined whether a licensed supplier had adequate controls to prevent its products being made available through unlicensed websites targeting British players.
The review was carried out under Section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005, which gives the Commission powers to investigate the suitability of licence holders and, where appropriate, impose regulatory sanctions.
About Evolution Malta Holding Limited
Evolution Malta Holding Limited forms part of Evolution AB, the Stockholm-listed gaming technology group regarded as one of the world’s largest suppliers of online casino content.
The company develops live casino games, game shows, slots and digital gaming products for licensed operators in regulated markets across Europe and beyond. Its portfolio expanded significantly following the acquisitions of NetEnt in 2020, Big Time Gaming in 2021 and Nolimit City in 2022.
Evolution’s content is supplied to numerous UK-licensed gambling operators, including those offering combined bingo and casino products.
Continuing regulatory focus
The Commission has repeatedly stated that tackling illegal gambling remains one of its priorities, with enforcement activity increasingly extending beyond operators to include licensed suppliers.
The Evolution settlement serves as the latest example of the regulator using its powers to ensure gambling products licensed for the British market are not made available through unlicensed websites, reinforcing compliance expectations across the wider online gambling ecosystem, including suppliers serving the UK’s online bingo sector.
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