Paddy Power pledges to improve social responsibility processes

Paddy Power is set to contribute £280,000 (€355,500/$388,500) to socially responsible causes and share lessons with the industry after the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) found that the operator had failed to effectively combat crime and protect vulnerable people.

In a statement, the national regulatory body said that the failings relate to the way Paddy Power handled relationships with two customers at one of its betting shops and with one of its online customers, who was later convicted of serious criminal offences.

In response, the UKGC is urging all operators to read details of the failures and ensure that their own processes are in line with the regulator’s requirements.

Paddy Power has also agreed to improve its anti-money laundering and social responsibility processes.

Richard Watson, programme director at the UKGC said: “We expect the industry will learn the lessons from this case – it is their duty to keep crime out of gambling and protect vulnerable people from harm.

“If operators don’t implement processes and policies aimed at doing this then they risk losing their operating licence.

“Paddy Power failed in its dealing with three customers and is now facing the consequences of these actions in a very public way.”

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