Key Moments:
- The UK Gambling Commission has suspended Spribe’s operating license for unauthorized gambling services.
- Spribe possessed a gambling software license since 2020 but lacked the required remote casino (game host) operating license for its hosting activities.
- The UKGC emphasized stringent oversight for all industry participants, including software suppliers, not only gambling websites.
Regulator’s Decisive Action
The UK Gambling Commission has revoked Spribe’s operating license, citing repeated unauthorized operations despite several formal warnings. The watchdog stated that Spribe continued delivering gambling services without necessary approvals.
Industry-Wide Compliance in Focus
This suspension highlights broader regulatory scrutiny, as the UKGC has warned that oversight extends to every sector of the industry, including both online gaming platforms and the companies supplying underlying technology and games.
Licensing Requirements and Regulatory Clarification
According to the UK Gambling Commission, Spribe has been in possession of a gambling software license since 2020. However, this did not cover the hosting services it provided, which are subject to a different licensing category. Under UK law, companies need a remote casino (game host) operating license to host casino gaming content through other operators’ sites.
The UKGC stated:
“If you are a gambling software business that provides facilities for playing casino games but only in circumstances in which you host those facilities through other operators’ platforms, then you may be eligible to hold a remote casino (game host) operating license.”
Spribe’s Market Presence and Partnerships
Spribe, widely recognized for its Aviator game, maintains significant operations in numerous regions including Malta, Gibraltar, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Ontario. Additionally, Spribe’s profile has been boosted by partnerships such as collaborations with UFC fighters Merab Dvalishvili and Alex Pereira.
Implications for the Gambling Industry
With this move, the UK Gambling Commission is reinforcing its commitment to stricter regulation, seeking to establish a clear distinction between software providers and those directly operating games for consumers.
| Company | License Held Since | License Type | Regions Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spribe | 2020 | Gambling software license (UK); other licenses in Malta, Gibraltar, Netherlands, Sweden, Ontario | Malta, Gibraltar, Netherlands, Sweden, Ontario |
- Author
Daniel Williams
