The UK Gambling Commission has issued fresh guidance to on-course bookmakers operating at Cheltenham Festival regarding their anti-money laundering responsibilities.
The UK Gambling Commission has issued a targeted reminder to on-course bookmakers ahead of Cheltenham Festival, emphasizing their regulatory obligations around anti-money laundering controls and cash handling procedures.
All on-course bookmakers at Cheltenham Festival must hold an operating licence and comply with strict anti-money laundering frameworks. The Commission specifically highlighted LCCP Condition 12.1.1, which covers prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, requiring operators to maintain robust policies and procedures.
Under these regulations, gambling operators must remain alert to attempts by customers to gamble money acquired unlawfully, whether to legitimize criminal proceeds or simply use illicit funds for betting activities.
Key Licensing Requirements
All on-course bookmakers at Cheltenham Festival must hold valid operating licences and implement robust anti-money laundering frameworks under LCCP Condition 12.1.1. Operators must maintain strict policies to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing while remaining vigilant against customers attempting to gamble unlawfully acquired funds.
Licensees face additional reporting requirements under LCCP Condition 15.2.1 for key events and LCCP Condition 15.1.2 for reporting suspicions of offences relating to betting licences. These conditions mandate immediate escalation when operators encounter suspicious activity or transactions.
"Cheltenham Festival is an exceptionally busy period, and while the vast majority of on‑course betting is entirely legitimate and part of people enjoying their racing experience, Licensees should continue to ensure that their written policies, procedures, and controls remain robust and effective in practice, and that they remain vigilant to guard against counterfeit currency and criminal proceeds entering the gambling system."
— John Pierce, Commission Director of Enforcement
Warning
Licensees must comply with LCCP Condition 15.2.1 for key events reporting and LCCP Condition 15.1.2 for suspicious activity reporting. Failure to immediately escalate suspicious transactions or activities can result in regulatory action and potential licence sanctions.
This intervention signals the Commission's recognition that high-volume racing events create heightened money laundering risks. The emphasis on counterfeit currency detection alongside traditional AML controls suggests operators face evolving criminal methodologies that require constant adaptation of compliance frameworks.
According to UK Gambling Commission.
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This content reflects a general overview of regulatory frameworks based on publicly available information. It does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion. iGamingWriter.blog disclaims any liability arising from reliance on this material.
Written by
Maryna ShevchukContent Partnership Manager
Maryna has been part of the We–Right™ Factory team since 2018, working directly with operators, affiliates, and agencies on content planning and delivery. Her background in copywriting gives her a hands-on understanding of iGaming briefs, regulatory nuances, and market-specific requirements. On the blog, Maryna covers client-side content operations and B2B collaboration patterns in the iGaming industry.
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