William Hill fined record $23.7M for social responsibility, AML failures

The U.K. Gambling Commission announced Tuesday three units of British bookmaking service William Hill Group will pay a record fine of 19.2 million pounds (U.S. $23.7 million) for failures regarding social responsibility and anti-money laundering (AML).

WHG (International) Limited will pay £12.5 million (U.S. $15.4 million), Mr. Green Limited will pay £3.7 million (U.S. $4.6 million), and William Hill Organization Limited will pay £3 million (U.S. $3.7 million). William Hill Group, which was acquired by 888 Holdings in July, operates more than 1,000 gambling premises across the United Kingdom.

Andrew Rhodes, U.K. Gambling Commission chief executive, said the company’s failings “were so widespread and alarming, serious consideration was given to license suspension.” However, since the company recognized its shortcomings and worked with the commission to implement improvements, it was not suspended and instead subjected to the largest enforcement action in the regulator’s history, said Rhodes.