The UK Gambling Commission has been taking the rules and regulations it has in place very seriously when making checks on UK licensed operators and a number are falling short of its expectations. We have seen recently that InTouch Games surrendered its licence, Done Brothers (Betfred), Videoslots, Skill On Net, William Hill and more have all been affected.
Normal Play is Still Safe
Now we know this might give readers cause for concern, but most of these breaches are not in relation to the day to day operation of the sites, how the games play or how the operators look after the money of the average punter.
Where the operators are being caught out is by not having enough checks in place to cover certain aspects of the business:
to protect those that are betting bigger and more often, that might be a sign of a gambling problem and potential gambling harm
to ensure that the bigger and more frequent deposits and bets are not actually money laundering operations or covering terror financing
Lindar Media was reviewed between July 2021 and September 2022 and in addition to the above failings they also did not advise the Commission when a person in a key position left, they did not make the expected annual contribution to the fund that helps combat problem gambling and that the firm fell short on following all of the advertising codes concerning appealing to minors.
What Penalty Will Lindar Media Face?
The technical terms for the outcome of the investigation is ‘Divestment, Payment in lieu of financial penalty, Commission costs and Public statement’.
As the UKGC was happy that Lindar Media were already taking steps to fix the issues before and immediately after the report the payment in lieu of financial penalty was set at £690,947, which will be used for socially responsible purposes. The firm agreed to publication of the facts of the case and they had to pay the UKGC investigation costs.
What does all this mean for players?
While we say these things need not be a worry to those who play online bingo, slots and casino games and like to bet on sports, it may be that in tightening up rules to meet the UKGC standards, we might all be inconvenienced with more ID checks, checks on how much we can afford to play and checks on where our spending money comes from. This will not go down well with many, so the operators really need to find the path of least resistance with players while meeting their licence requirements. That’s a tightrope to walk!
£50k Winner Celebrates With Cuppa & Biscuits in Bed
If you look up at the moon tonight, you might just spot the shadow of Sam Smitherman – because he’s jumping over it! Sam was the recent winner of a whopping £50,000 jackpot at Mecca Bingo Acocks Green in Birmingham. After realising he’d won, he skipped the celebratory pint at the club for a cuppa and biscuits in bed! Let’s find out about the moment he realised he’d won, what…
by
Esther Rubin
4min
15. Aug 202513:56
From Boardwalk to Betting: 7 Iconic Casino Summer Hotspots
Summer holidays, seaside getaways, and casino culture are probably more common than you realise. With Dabbing Out travelling to Brighton Beach for bingo, we were inspired to seek out more great places to play great games. WATCH: Dabbing Out episode 3: Brighton Bingo From glamorous European shores to bustling tourist hubs and floating resorts, these seven iconic destinations have seamlessly blended the excitement of travel with the thrill of the…
by
Nic McBride
4min
6. Aug 202516:52
Celebs, Bingo Offers, and More: What's on This Month
It’s time to get your daubers out and your party shoes on, because we’re in full swing this August. The only place you can rub shoulders with celebrities, grab incredible bingo and casino offers, and more. With a packed schedule of events, there truly is A LOT to get excited about! WhichBingo Celebrity Party The highlight of the calendar is our sensational Celebrity Party! What’s a summer celebration without some star…
by
Nic McBride
3min
29. Jul 202514:12
Seagull Mayhem 2025: UK’s Most Targeted Beaches Revealed
Nearly half of Brits report being physically attacked by a seagull – with Brighton Beach being the number spot to get your chips stolen by a winged thief. In 2024, WhichBingo revealed that chip-snatching seagulls were wreaking havoc along the British coast. This year, we’ve gone deeper. Our updated 2025 survey captured over 300 public responses from across the UK, focusing not only on food theft but also on behaviour…
by
Killian Morris
3min
15. Aug 202513:56
From Boardwalk to Betting: 7 Iconic Casino Summer Hotspots
Summer holidays, seaside getaways, and casino culture are probably more common than you realise. With Dabbing Out travelling to Brighton Beach for bingo, we were inspired to seek out more great places to play great games. WATCH: Dabbing Out episode 3: Brighton Bingo From glamorous European shores to bustling tourist hubs and floating resorts, these seven iconic destinations have seamlessly blended the excitement of travel with the thrill of the…
by
Nic McBride
4min
7. Jul 202515:27
Behind the Numbers: The WhichBingo Awards 2025 Voting Revealed
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
by
Nic McBride
6min
4. Jul 202512:33
WhichBingo Wins Best Bingo Affiliate 2025
And the winner is… us! A panel of expert judges has officially crowned WhichBingo as the #1 guide to finding top bingo sites. WhichBingo won Best Bingo Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2025 in London. “We’re incredibly proud to receive this award. It’s a clear sign that our commitment to connecting players with the best bingo sites is being recognised by the iGaming industry,” said WhichBingo Senior Director Lynsey…
by
Nic McBride
3min
15. May 202507:00
WhichBingo Awards 2025 – Gala Crowned the Best Bingo Site By You
The WhichBingo Awards are over for another year and what an exciting one it has been! Since first launching in 2014, the WhichBingo Awards have become one of the most coveted awards in the industry and our event this year held on May 14th was a huge success. Once again, the WhichBingo Awards 2025 took place on the beautiful Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Gibraltar, so really there are no losers for…
by
Jennifer McFadyen
3min
22. Jul 202515:49
From Bed to Bathroom: WILD Places Brits Are Playing Bingo Online
When you’ve gotta bingo, you’ve gotta bingo and this has made for some… interesting spots for people to play the classic game. The digital age has unleashed an online bingo revolution, and it’s happening in the most unexpected (and often hilarious) places. The 2025 WhichBingo Bingo Player Survey, polling 1,200 UK players, revealed a glimpse into the bizarre world of online bingo habits, proving that Brits will squeeze in a…
by
Nic McBride
3min
7. Jul 202515:27
Behind the Numbers: The WhichBingo Awards 2025 Voting Revealed
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
by
Nic McBride
6min
16. Apr 202512:35
Hook, Line & Winner: Fishin’ Frenzy Bingo Goes Live
Fishin’ Frenzy Bingo is a brand new bingo game, the latest innovation in the bingo world, offering players like yourself an exciting new twist on the classic 90-ball bingo game. This game combines the fun of bingo with the excitement of slot features, jackpots, and bonus rounds, all while staying true to the famous Fishin’ Frenzy brand. The game looks great and is totally in line with the brand’s design…
by
Esther Rubin
2min
17. Nov 202406:55
Safer Gambling Week 2024: An Important Conversation
For most people, gambling is a fun thing to do. A small deposit, a few wagers, or a cheeky flutter here and there can add a bit of thrill to your day. But for some, gambling can get out of control, creating financial and emotional challenges… or worse. That’s why Safer Gambling Week 2024 (SGW) which is running from Monday 18th of November to Sunday 24th of November is so…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
28. Nov 202415:45
Two Developments in UK Gambling Designed to Protect Players
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced two measures to improve player protection designed to reduce the risks of gambling addiction while ensuring that more operators contribute to helping people affected. The changes involve new stake limits and a statutory levy. Let’s read more about it. 1. New Stake Limits While full details have yet to be outlined, based on the Gambling Review’s White Paper, the…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
20. Nov 202415:49
Safer Gambling Week 2024: Promoting Positive Play and Industry Support
Safer gambling week is upon us once again but what does that mean for the gambling industry and those who play? For gambling companies it is an opportunity to engage with their customers and promote the various tools that are on offer to help players manage their gambling spend, their time spent gambling and their access to gambling. For consumers it is a chance to have open and honest conversations…
by
Rob Mabbett
3min
17. Nov 202406:55
Safer Gambling Week 2024: An Important Conversation
For most people, gambling is a fun thing to do. A small deposit, a few wagers, or a cheeky flutter here and there can add a bit of thrill to your day. But for some, gambling can get out of control, creating financial and emotional challenges… or worse. That’s why Safer Gambling Week 2024 (SGW) which is running from Monday 18th of November to Sunday 24th of November is so…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
13. Jun 202410:59
Rise in Safer Gambling Tools Use During Safer Gambling Week
New figures released have shown a substantial uptake in the use of safer gambling tools during last year’s Safer Gambling Week. 2023’s Safer Gambling Week was held from November 13th to November 19th and promoted an exciting campaign on the use of safer gambling tools when gambling. Safer Gambling Week is organised by the Betting and Gaming Council and is in its 7th year. It brings together many different areas…
by
Jennifer McFadyen
1min
16. Aug 202509:55
£50k Winner Celebrates With Cuppa & Biscuits in Bed
If you look up at the moon tonight, you might just spot the shadow of Sam Smitherman – because he’s jumping over it! Sam was the recent winner of a whopping £50,000 jackpot at Mecca Bingo Acocks Green in Birmingham. After realising he’d won, he skipped the celebratory pint at the club for a cuppa and biscuits in bed! Let’s find out about the moment he realised he’d won, what…
by
Esther Rubin
4min
15. Aug 202513:56
From Boardwalk to Betting: 7 Iconic Casino Summer Hotspots
Summer holidays, seaside getaways, and casino culture are probably more common than you realise. With Dabbing Out travelling to Brighton Beach for bingo, we were inspired to seek out more great places to play great games. WATCH: Dabbing Out episode 3: Brighton Bingo From glamorous European shores to bustling tourist hubs and floating resorts, these seven iconic destinations have seamlessly blended the excitement of travel with the thrill of the…
by
Nic McBride
4min
6. Aug 202516:52
Celebs, Bingo Offers, and More: What's on This Month
It’s time to get your daubers out and your party shoes on, because we’re in full swing this August. The only place you can rub shoulders with celebrities, grab incredible bingo and casino offers, and more. With a packed schedule of events, there truly is A LOT to get excited about! WhichBingo Celebrity Party The highlight of the calendar is our sensational Celebrity Party! What’s a summer celebration without some star…
by
Nic McBride
3min
29. Jul 202514:12
Seagull Mayhem 2025: UK’s Most Targeted Beaches Revealed
Nearly half of Brits report being physically attacked by a seagull – with Brighton Beach being the number spot to get your chips stolen by a winged thief. In 2024, WhichBingo revealed that chip-snatching seagulls were wreaking havoc along the British coast. This year, we’ve gone deeper. Our updated 2025 survey captured over 300 public responses from across the UK, focusing not only on food theft but also on behaviour…
by
Killian Morris
3min
Updated October 16, 2024
Anita Heffernan
Author & Managing Editor
The Bingo Queen is a fun name earned from colleagues through Anita Heffernan's exceptional knowledge and commitment to the online bingo world. With over 20 years of experience as both a player and an expert in the industry, Anita has built a reputation as a trusted authority on all things bingo.
4min 
Reader comments