The United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission (UKGC) announced that it has suspended the operating license of Spribe OÜ with immediate effect due to reported hosting requirement violations.

UKGC Suspends the Provider’s Operating License

Spribe, which secured a UK license in 2020, has found itself without a license due to a suspension by the UKGC. In its official announcement, the UK regulator announced that the gaming company’s license has been suspended due to an ongoing review of its business.

The UKGC clarified that it is carrying out a review under section 118(2) of the Gambling Act 2005, probing Spribe’s suitability in the wake of instances of non-compliance with the hosting requirements of the UK licensing framework.

For context, hosting refers to the act of indirect provision of content to operators. This includes cases where a provider hosts its own games on a proprietary server, providing the customers of client operators with access to said games.

Spribe Must Stop All Hosting Activity and Inform Affected Parties

The commission noted that it has communicated the matter to Spribe, informing the company that it must stop all hosting activity unless and until the company has obtained a suitable hosting license.

The UKGC emphasized that Section 33 of Great Britain’s Gambling Act 2005 states that it is a criminal offense to provide facilities for gambling in Great Britain without a UKGC license.

The British regulator emphasized its commitment to the highest standards of compliance and readiness to crack down on any unlicensed gaming activity.  The authority added that Spribe should inform all affected clients about the service disruptions caused by the regulatory action.

In August, Aviator pushed back against Spribe as part of a continued legal battle between the two businesses.