TGP Europe exits UK market after $4.38 million fine for AML breaches

TGP Europe, a white-label gambling operator linked to multiple Premier League football clubs, has withdrawn from the UK market following a £3.3 million ($4.38 million) penalty imposed by the UK Gambling Commission for breaches of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.

The Isle of Man-based company, which operated 31 gambling domains including sites that sponsor top-tier football clubs, was found to have failed in carrying out adequate checks on business partners and assessing money laundering risks. The Commission also cited failures to address potentially illegal activities by third parties associated with TGP’s operations.

Affected Premier League clubs include AFC Bournemouth (sponsored by BJ88), Fulham FC (SBOTOP), Newcastle United FC (Sportsbet.io and Fun88), Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (Debet), and Burnley FC (96.com). These sponsors were operating under TGP Europe’s licence, which is no longer valid.

John Pierce, Head of Enforcement at the Commission, said: “This case involves a gambling company that was unwilling or unable to meet the regulatory standards we expect from our licensees.”

He added that the Commission has already contacted the clubs “to highlight the impact of the withdrawal from the market by TGP and make clear that we will be carrying out checks—without further notice—to ensure these sites remain blocked.”

The Commission warned that clubs continuing to promote these now-unlicensed operators may be liable to prosecution. “Should any of these sites be available to GB consumers, we will take appropriate action,” Pierce said.

“We would like to warn consumers that sites operated by TGP are now unlicensed and may not provide protections against criminality or gambling-related harm,” the Commission said.

Football clubs have been instructed to demonstrate due diligence on their commercial partners and verify the source of funds associated with sponsorship deals. “It is essential that football clubs play their part in protecting fans and GB consumers who may be exposed to advertising of these sites through their sponsorship arrangements from harm or exploitation,” Pierce said.

The regulator emphasized the need for effective geo-blocking, noting that some methods can be bypassed with virtual private networks (VPNs).

TGP Europe’s exit follows earlier regulatory interventions involving its other partners, including Stake (Everton), Kaiyun (Nottingham Forest), and BC.Game (Leicester City), the latter having reportedly lost its Curaçao licence amid bankruptcy rumours.

“All licensed operators with similar arrangements to TGP should take notice of the action taken in this case,” Pierce warned.