Gala Coral Fined £880,000 Over Gambler Who Stole to Feed Habit; Industry Warned to Learn From Mistake

The Gambling Commission reportedly claimed that Gala Coral fell short of fulfilling its duty to prevent money laundering and problem gambling, concluding that the safeguards to stop both were not as adequate. They said that the bookmaker failed to look into the source of a man's wealth that gambled nearly £850,000 in its shops as well as online.

According to Biz Radar, it was said that Gala Coral somewhat relied on what is labelled as uncorroborated suggestions that the man was wealthy on their own when he had stolen the money from a probable vulnerable citizen. The bookmaker is willing to pay £846,000 to the victim of the said crime, and to 'reflect the cost' of the commission's investigation is another allocation of £30,000.

As per Brief Report, the crime's perpetrator was a customer of Gala Coral between 2012 and 2015 and was officially jailed for three years over the said theft charges.  The settlement is claimed to be part of an effort via the commission to track the bookmakers who advertently avoid spilling cases of money laundering and problem gambling, and Gala Coral gave their word to improve anti-money-laundering and social responsibility process.

The Guardian noted that it was earlier this year that Paddy Power was obliged to pay out £280,000 after the commission found out about its instigation towards a problem gambler to keep betting until he lost five jobs, his home and worse, access to his children.

Richard Watson, the commission's Program Director, was quoted, "We expect the industry will learn the lessons from this case, as it is their responsibility to keep crime out of gambling and protect vulnerable people from harm.

We know that Gala Coral have reflected heavily on this case and have assured us of actions they have taken to address the failings. Operators must proactively monitor customers to keep gambling safe and free from crime."

Gala Coral can be recalled to have gone through a similar issue in the past, and the similar parties under the commission are no longer surprised that another issue came after it. As for now, the commission is under a strong lead, with their new Chief Executive, Sarah Harrison.

Tags

Gala Coral, Gambling Case, Paddy Power, Gambling Commission

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