In a statement, the Commission confirmed it had ordered the company to cease all hosting activities until a suitable hosting licence is obtained.
“We have clearly communicated to the operator that all hosting activity must stop immediately unless and until a suitable hosting licence is obtained,” the regulator said.
Under the UK’s gambling regulations, suppliers who host games on their own server – allowing access via an operator’s platform – are required to hold a specific hosting license in addition to a gambling software license. The Commission clarified that offering such services without proper authorization could constitute a criminal offense under Section 33 of the Gambling Act 2005, carrying potential fines or imprisonment. The UKGC has also initiated a formal review of Spribe’s license and activities.
“The Gambling Commission takes a robust approach to unlicensed gambling activity and always expects the highest standards of compliance and integrity from its licensees,” it added.
The regulator further stated that Spribe must promptly notify any affected parties of potential service disruptions and ensure that all operations are halted until further notice.
In a statement, Spribe said it is taking the matter “extremely seriously” and is preparing an application to address the licensing gap. The supplier added that it remains “fully committed to compliance, transparency, and maintaining the highest standards of software integrity” and is working with the Commission to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
The company also clarified that the suspension does not affect players’ ability to access their accounts or withdraw funds.
The Gambling Commission reiterated its expectation that all licensees uphold the highest standards of integrity and compliance, and that any service disruptions resulting from the suspension should be communicated promptly to affected partners. Spribe was first granted a UK gambling software license in December 2020.
Source: GMB
