The UK Gambling Commission suspended the remote operating licence of Ken Howells (as of 21 September 2026), citing significant anti-money laundering (AML) failings. Ken Howells' non-remote general betting licence (racecourse operations) remains active.
The AML Problem
The Gambling Commission said it is now conducting a review of the licence under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005. The suspension will remain in place until the regulator is satisfied the business is fully compliant with AML requirements.
The Commission has not yet disclosed the specific nature of the AML failings, but the decision to suspend immediately suggests the breaches were deemed serious enough to warrant urgent action.
Ken Howell's only received its remote operating licence in August 2024 – just over two years ago – making this suspension particularly swift action against a relatively new operator.
Customer Impact
Players will not be able to gamble on Ken Howells until this is resolved, but you can access existing accounts and withdraw funds.
The suspension also does not affect Ken Howells' separate non-remote general betting licence, which covers the operator's land-based betting activity.
Part of a Broader Crackdown
This latest enforcement action fits into a pattern of increasingly aggressive UKGC activity against operators with compliance failures. In recent years, the Commission has handed out substantial fines and licence suspensions to operators, most recently including Bresbet & Bet St George.
The regulator appears to have shifted toward using licence suspensions as a primary enforcement tool – moving beyond fines to directly restrict operations.
AML compliance is now a top priority for the Gambling Commission. Operators must demonstrate robust customer due diligence, source of funds verification, and transaction monitoring.
Failure to implement these controls effectively – or to document them – has resulted in penalties ranging from millions of pounds in fines to full licence suspensions.
What Ken Howell's Must Do
To reinstate its licence, Ken Howell's will need to submit evidence that it has overhauled its AML procedures and controls. The Commission will likely require independent audits confirming compliance before any suspension is lifted.
Given the Commission's recent enforcement trajectory, a swift resolution is far from guaranteed.
Steven is an experienced iGaming content writer who has been working in the industry since 2018. He is passionate about sports betting and enjoys writing about all aspects of the industry, including bookmaker reviews, betting tips and strategies, and news and analysis.