Gambling Commission forces TGP Europe out of GB market

David Gravel
Written by David Gravel

TGP Europe has left the British gambling sector after the UK Gambling Commission issued a final whistle on its white label operations. After a heavy regulatory booking worth £3.3 million (€3.86 million), TGP walked off the pitch rather than face extra time under Commission scrutiny. The operator surrendered its licence and shut down services for consumers in Great Britain.

But the decision doesn’t just shake up the betting table. Brands tied to TGP’s license sponsored several Premier League clubs, putting them in a difficult position. The Commission has warned that it could face penalties of its own if it fails to block access to these now-unlicensed sites.

White label failings exposed

TGP Europe fielded dozens of gambling websites through a white label model, where third-party brands operate under a licensed provider’s banner. But while the branding might’ve looked match-ready, the defence was missing.

The Commission found the company had:

  • failed to conduct proper checks on ownership structures
  • missed due diligence on funding sources
  • ignored clear money laundering risks
  • overlooked third-party activity that could be illegal in the UK or abroad

Even more damning, TGP failed to follow its own anti-money laundering playbook. It skipped enhanced due diligence despite clear red flags.

This wasn’t their first yellow card. TGP was previously booked in 2023 for similar fouls, including relying on automated alerts instead of human intervention when players triggered safer gambling warnings. The earlier fine? £316,250 (€370,0000). A warning shot they didn’t seem to hear.

Meanwhile, offshore developments raise further questions. Celton Manx, parent company of SBOTOP, also surrendered its Isle of Man licence on 9 May. The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission offered no specifics, but the timing only intensifies scrutiny on white label operators still linked to UK-facing brands.

Football clubs under fire

With TGP off the field and benched, its associated domains are now unlicensed and must be blocked from British users.

The Gambling Commission has contacted five Premier League clubs, all of whom have sponsorship ties with sites once run under TGP’s banner:

  • AFC Bournemouth (BJ88)
  • Fulham FC (SBOTOP)
  • Newcastle United (Sportsbet.io and FUN88)
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers (DEBET)
  • Burnley FC (96.com)

Each club has been told to show proof that access from the UK is fully geo-blocked, and that they’ve done their due diligence on these white label partners. Some clubs now face the very real prospect of promoting offside operators, and the Commission has made it clear there’ll be no VAR leniency.

And it’s not just about blocking. The Commission is pressing high. Clubs must show that VPN circumvention is also being accounted for. If fans in the UK can still reach those sites, even through the back door, there could be red cards all round, including criminal liability for club officers.

Gambling Commission raises the stakes

John Pierce, Head of Enforcement at the UK Gambling Commission, confirmed the move was part of a broader shift toward tighter squad discipline across the gambling industry.

“This case involves a gambling company that was unwilling or unable to meet the regulatory standards we expect from our licensees. It is right that they have now exited the British market.”

He added that checks will now be made without warning and that club sponsorships and affiliate arrangements will also come under the microscope.

Operators who can’t control their white label partners are being told in no uncertain terms that the ref is watching. And the replay system is live.

No room left on the bench

TGP’s exit is more than a loss of one player. It’s a shift in the formation. White labels are no longer benchwarmers. They’re in the starting XI of risk, and regulators expect every move tracked, and every tactic assessed.

Football clubs are now part of the compliance equation. Sponsorship deals must come with due diligence, clear contracts, and technical safeguards that actually stop users from breaking through the back line.

This isn’t about box-ticking. It’s about ensuring UK consumers aren’t exposed to unlicensed operators masquerading behind Premier League shirts. And for everyone else still in the game, the message is coherent. Follow the playbook, mark your risks, and don’t get caught offside. Because in this league, the UK Gambling Commission always plays till the final whistle.

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