The Gambling Commission began a regulatory review of MrQ, operated by Lindar Media, following a compliance assessment conducted in September 2022. As a result, Lindar Media is now set to pay £690,947 ($854,664) in the form of a regulatory settlement.
The operator – which trades as MrQ and runs MrQ.com – will pay the money as part of a settlement with the Commission. All £690,947 will go to 'socially responsible causes.'
The regulatory review found failings in MrQ’s processes aimed at preventing money laundering and protecting individuals from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
The offences commenced between July 2021 and September 2022.
A Commission compliance assessment and subsequent regulatory review found failings in MrQ’s implementation of its ‘AML policies, procedures and controls deficiencies in its responsible gambling policies, procedures, controls and practices.’
The assessment also found: 'weaknesses in its reporting arrangements in respect of key events, failure to advertise its marketing products in a socially responsible manner; and failure to make an annual financial contribution to an organisation which supports research, prevention and treatment for those harmed by gambling.'
Furthermore, the review of customer accounts identified that some customers were able to deposit and lose up to and in excess of £10,000, with no controls in place to intervene until the money had been lost.
This regulatory settlement consists of: a payment of £690,947 in lieu of a financial penalty, this includes a ‘divestment of £50,947.’
So far, Lindar Media has: taken immediate steps to rectify the breaches identified and, in some cases, had implemented changes prior to the compliance assessment. The company has also made early disclosure of all relevant facts, accepted the failings at the earliest opportunity, made an early regulatory settlement proposal and has been fully co-operative throughout its dealings with the Commission.
Lindar Media CEO Savvas Fellas commented: "My focus since 2022 has been centred around maturing the day-to-day operations through the development of the senior leadership team.
“We’ve implemented scalable processes that provide consistency as we grow and built technology-driven models that underpin compliance and safer gambling promises to our players; all of which are aligned with our mission of offering progressive, value entertainment – with delight and transparency.”
