GC suspends BresBet and Bet St George licences, six months after latter entered UK market 

The Gambling Commission has suspended the operating licences of two online betting operators, BresBet Ltd and Bet St George Ltd, citing suspected failures in social responsibility protocols and anti-money laundering (AML) controls.

The suspensions took immediate effect on 28 August 2026 following the Commission’s initiation of formal licence reviews under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005. 

These reviews were prompted by initial enquiries that flagged potential regulatory shortcomings at BresBet, which runs the bresbet.com platform, and Bet St George, which operates betstgeorge.com.

According to a statement from the Commission, the suspensions will remain in place until the operators address and rectify the identified compliance issues to the regulator’s satisfaction. 

Both operators have been instructed to continue treating customers fairly during the suspension period and to keep consumers informed about any developments affecting them. 

Importantly, customers will retain access to their accounts, including the ability to withdraw funds, and the sites continue to be contactable through their respective platforms.

Company loses licence months after launching

BresBet has been an established company operating in the UK since 2021. Bet St George, meanwhile, first launched in the UK earlier this year. Notably, Nic Brereton serves as director for both brands.

Speaking to iGB in March, Brereton noted the challenging outlook for the UK sector amid incoming tax hikes, though he also highlighted the opportunity for a new approach in the market. 

“It’s a challenging time for bookmakers in terms of launching, but we still feel that if you’ve got the right brand, the right cost of service, you’re willing to try and take a bet, there are still opportunities to have a successful business.” 

Bet St George’s licence suspension comes six months after its launch.

Although listed as separate private companies, both share an office block and, until recently, a director. 

Sarah Laycock, who had been the managing director for BresBet since 2025, resigned earlier this month. Laycock also resigned from Bet St George on the same day. Brereton resigned from BresBet in 2021 but was reappointed in 2023.

AML failings continue

Last month, the GC published its anti-money laundering and terrorist financing report revealing that operator-side failings remained a major contributor to ML/TF risk. Across multiple subsectors, the Commission noted deficient AML/CTF policies and controls as well as poorly trained personnel.

The report also noted the inadequate or improperly set AML thresholds and the weak monitoring of linked or duplicate accounts.

A couple of weeks ago QuinnBet was ordered to pay £609,104 ($830,501) also due to AML failings. 

Industry folk have been critical of the Commission’s tendancy to introduce fines or regulatory settlements following compliance failures.

Speaking to iGB recently, Terry White, a safer gambling advocate and former betting shop manager, had criticised the GC for only fining and not suspending those companies breaching AML policies.

“When a betting shop or organisation is told that they can’t trade in the UK or globally, for let’s say a month, that’ll hurt them, and they’ll never do it again,” he said. “But they’ll pay [a fine] all day long. They’re not bothered. It’s the price of doing business.”

“[They get] fined astronomical amounts of money again, but their licence does not get revoked or suspended. The companies don’t care. They make more than that in what they actually do.”