UK Gambling Commission Fines Fafabet Operator £170,000 Over Unfair Terms
The UK’s Gambling Commission has levied a substantial fine of £170,000 ($231,952) on Taichi Tech Limited, the entity responsible for the Fafabet betting brand, citing violations related to unfair contractual provisions. Fafabet UK fine
In its official statement, the Commission identified that Taichi Tech breached licensing obligations through the inclusion of “unfair” bonus terms. Notably, the regulator highlighted the presence of a “discretionary” clause within the casino bonus T&Cs, granting the operator the authority to close accounts or forfeit winnings at its sole discretion.
The regulator emphasized that such measures “without clear justification” contravene the principles of fair and transparent licensing conditions. Furthermore, the Commission pointed out that these terms lack clarity and could result in unjust outcomes for consumers.
This assessment draws particular attention to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA), Britain’s primary consumer protection legislation, which is also incorporated into the operator’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP).
The investigation extended beyond contractual issues, revealing deficiencies in anti-money laundering (AML) protocols and social responsibility measures. The Commission noted instances where players were permitted to wager large sums within brief periods, despite limited customer data collected by Taichi Tech.
Moreover, the operator was found to have failed in addressing signs of potential gambling harm among certain players. Specifically, Taichi Tech did not follow up with customers who disregarded safer gambling communications sent via email, raising concerns about its commitment to responsible gambling practices.
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In light of these findings, the regulator imposed the £170,000 fine and mandated a third-party audit to verify the implementation of AML procedures and safer gambling controls.
While acknowledging that the Fafabet operator recognized its shortcomings, the Commission noted that Taichi Tech has already initiated steps to rectify these issues.
John Pierce, the Director of Enforcement and Intelligence at the Gambling Commission, stated, “We expect all operators — regardless of their size or customer base — to comply with consumer protection legislation and ensure their terms and conditions meet regulatory standards. Licensed operators must ensure their terms are clear, fair, and transparent, so customers fully understand what to expect.” Fafabet UK fine
