Key Moments:
- The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) secured a conviction against Haydon Simcock for running an unlicensed betting operation on WhatsApp.
- Simcock received a 30-week suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay over £290,000 in compensation.
- Court findings covered illegal gambling activities between 18 October 2023 and 11 September 2024, and unauthorized advertising from 26 May 2023 to 1 March 2024.
Summary of the Case
A Stoke-on-Trent resident, Haydon Simcock, has been found guilty by the UK Gambling Commission for running an unauthorized gambling operation on WhatsApp. He posed as the “VIP Commercial Manager” for a fake group called “The Post Bookmakers.” However, he operated the scheme entirely on his own, handling every part of the business. As a result, the UKGC flagged the case as a major example of the risks tied to unregulated gambling markets and noted that it reflects its stronger enforcement actions.
Details of the Illegal Betting Operation
According to evidence presented at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, Simcock took stakes, managed payments, settled bets, and maintained customer balances. He did all of this without authorization and without any regulatory protections. Moreover, most of the activity took place on WhatsApp, where he advertised betting opportunities and convinced users that he was a legitimate bookmaker. Devices seized during the investigation later showed long-running communication with multiple victims.
One victim lost more than £240,000 after depositing funds with Simcock. However, when the individual asked for a withdrawal, only £10,000 was returned, and the rest was withheld.
Timeline and Investigative Triggers
Simcock’s illegal gambling services ran from 18 October 2023 to 11 September 2024. In addition, he promoted unauthorized gambling from 26 May 2023 to 1 March 2024. The investigation began after a Racing Post journalist posed as a customer and then reported the operation. Consequently, the UK Gambling Commission and Staffordshire Police launched a joint investigation.
Sentencing and Regulatory Commentary
On December 9, 2025, Simcock appeared in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. He received a 30-week suspended sentence, active for two years, along with 200 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay more than £290,000 in compensation.
John Pierce, Enforcement Director at the UKGC, said the case shows “all the risks that consumers face from illegal gambling, links to crime, having no regard for social responsibility, repeatedly exploiting consumers, and operating without any of the necessary operational safeguards in place.” He stressed that the regulator remains committed to pursuing illegal gambling operators. Furthermore, Pierce noted that activity on encrypted platforms can still be tracked, stating that WhatsApp “does not make illegal gambling invisible or beyond our reach.”
UKGC Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes also emphasized the danger of the black-market sector. He called the illegal online market “unsafe, unfair, and criminal.” Additionally, he reported that enforcement activity has increased tenfold since April 2024, reflecting the UKGC’s intensified approach.
Financial Details and Timeline of the Offenses
| Key Figure/Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Compensation Ordered | Over £290,000 |
| Victim’s Largest Known Loss | £240,000 deposited, £10,000 returned |
| Illegal Gambling Services Period | 18 October 2023 – 11 September 2024 |
| Unauthorized Advertising Period | 26 May 2023 – 1 March 2024 |
| Sentencing Date | December 9, 2025 |
| Sentence | 30-week suspended prison sentence (two-year term), 200 hours of community service |
- Author
Daniel Williams
