UK Gambling Commission suspends Spribe licence over hosting non-compliance

Spribe OÜ's UK license has been suspended after the Gambling Commission detected non-compliance with hosting requirements, describing the breach as “serious.”

The suspension, which took immediate effect, halts all of Spribe’s hosting activity in the United Kingdom while the Commission conducts a review under Section 118(2) of the Act. The regulator said the action was taken on “grounds of suitability” after identifying non-compliance with the licensing framework related to the developer’s hosting operations.

Hosting activity requires separate licence

The Gambling Commission clarified that hosting occurs when a supplier houses games on its own servers, allowing players to access them through an operator’s website or app rather than through the operator’s own servers. Companies carrying out this activity must obtain a remote casino game host licence in addition to a gambling software licence.

Under Section 33 of the Gambling Act 2005, providing gambling facilities in Great Britain without the appropriate licence constitutes a criminal offence. A company found guilty of such an offence may face a level 5 fine or imprisonment for up to 51 weeks.

The Commission said it has instructed Spribe to halt all hosting operations unless and until a suitable hosting licence is obtained. It also reminded the developer to notify any parties affected by service disruptions in line with the conditions of its operating licence.

Spribe acknowledges oversight in licensing process

Spribe confirmed to iGB that it is preparing an application for a remote casino game host licence to resolve what it called a “technical licensing gap.”

“The issue relates to an oversight in the licence application process. In 2020, Spribe applied for and was granted a remote gambling software licence. However, it has now been identified that our business model also requires a remote casino game host licence. This is a technical licensing gap that was not identified during the original application process in 2020,” the company said in a statement.

Spribe added that it is working “urgently” to meet all technical and regulatory requirements and hopes to resume operations in the UK once the application is approved. The company also stated that the suspension should not affect players’ access to their accounts or their ability to withdraw funds.

Review underway

Spribe, which received its gambling software licence in Great Britain in December 2020, said it remains committed to maintaining compliance and transparency in all markets where it operates. The Gambling Commission has initiated a full review of the company’s licence and activities as part of the suspension process.

In a statement, the Gambling Commission said it “always expects the highest standards of compliance and integrity from licensees” and continues to take a robust approach to unlicensed gambling activity.

The regulator’s review of Spribe’s hosting practices remains ongoing, and operations in the UK will stay suspended until a new hosting licence is approved.