The UK Gambling Commission has fined Holland Park Leisure Limited £150,000 ($202,888) for failing to join the mandatory multi-operator self-exclusion scheme. The company operates three adult gaming centres in Leicester.
The breach relates to section 3.5.6 of the social responsibility code. The self-exclusion programme allows players to block access to multiple land-based venues across a region and is mandatory for all UK licence holders. Holland Park Leisure had received a prior warning but took no action. The operator has been ordered to commission an independent audit of its responsible gambling policies, procedures and staff training. John Pierce, executive director for enforcement, called the requirement 'a fundamental condition of a licence, not an option'.
The regulator noted that the operator provided misleading information during the investigation. Compliance steps were taken only after enforcement proceedings began, which increased the penalty. Last week prime minister Andy Burnham announced planning-permission reforms for adult gaming centres, calling AGCs and betting shops 'dubious businesses'. The changes will require amendments to the Gambling Act 2005.
