Paddy Power Betfair fined £2M for failing to stop harmful gambling habits
Paddy Power Betfair has agreed to pay £2 million after failing to prevent serious gambling harm. The penalty comes as the Gambling Commission uncovered social responsibility failures during a compliance review. This is the second sanction for the firm in just over two years, following a 2023 fine for sending promotional messages to self-excluded customers. The investigation revealed that Paddy Power Betfair did not act quickly enough to stop harmful betting behavior. In one case, a customer staked £86,000 over 16 days, losing £6,000 before the company reviewed the activity. Another gambler placed over 300 bets in a seven-hour session, spending £20,000. The Gambling Commission found that warning signs—such as rapid deposits, late-night betting, and sudden changes in behavior—were not addressed until the following day. The settlement will be paid by four operators under the Paddy Power and Betfair brands, all owned by Flutter Entertainment. Flutter Entertainment defended its safer gambling measures, claiming its controls have improved significantly since the assessment. The company now conducts most checks in real-time. However, the Gambling Commission’s director of enforcement cautioned against relying too heavily on automation to detect harm. The £2 million payment follows repeated failures in protecting vulnerable customers. The Gambling Commission has stressed the need for faster, more effective interventions. Flutter Entertainment maintains that its current systems are stronger than before.
