Gambling Commission Suspends Spribe's UK Licence

The UK Gambling Commission has suspended the operating licence of Spribe OÜ, citing a failure to adhere to the regulator’s hosting requirements. This decision was announced by the Commission, emphasizing the action was based on "grounds of suitability" due to "serious" non-compliance. As a result of this suspension, Spribe is obliged to immediately cease all hosting activities. Resumption is only possible if the suspension is withdrawn and a compliant hosting licence is issued. This announcement underscores the strict regulatory environment within which gambling service providers must operate in the UK.

Hosting and Legal Requirements

The concept of hosting within the context of the Gambling Commission’s regulations refers to suppliers hosting games on their servers, allowing player access via an operator's platform. This is in contrast to games being housed on an operator’s servers. In the UK, conducting these operations necessitates a hosting licence, distinct from a gambling software licence. The Gambling Commission reinforced its stance by referencing Section 33 of the Gambling Act 2005, indicating that offering gambling facilities in Great Britain without proper licencing is a criminal offence, punishable by fines or imprisonment. Consequently, the Commission has initiated a review of Spribe’s licence and its associated activities. Attempts to obtain a statement from Spribe on the issue have been unfruitful as of this writing.

Impact on Spribe's Operations and Aviator

Spribe’s popular game "Aviator" faces disruption following the announcement. The game, which has amassed significant popularity across the UK and Europe since its 2019 launch, boasts over 42 million monthly users worldwide. This includes 350,000 bets per minute at 5,000 casinos, as highlighted by Spribe CEO David Natroshvili in a February op-ed. The suspension has had immediate effects, as indicated by the unavailability of the Aviator game via platforms like Paddy Power. In light of these developments, the Gambling Commission reiterated its commitment to maintaining high compliance standards, urging licensees to halt all operations that contravene their licence stipulations and promptly inform affected parties. Spribe received its gambling software licence in Great Britain in December 2020, and this suspension marks a significant regulatory challenge for the company.

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