The UK Gambling Commission has suspended the operating licenses of Smart TV Broadcasting Ltd pending a review of the company’s suitability to continue offering online gambling services.
On Friday, the UKGC announced it had commenced a review of Smart TV under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005 based on the regulator’s belief that the operator is “unsuitable to carry on the licensed activities (section 120(1)(d) of the Act).”
While the review is underway, the UKGC said it was suspending Smart TV’s combined remote operating license and general betting standard operating license. The UKGC said the suspension was an interim measure, “the need for which will be kept under consideration whilst the review takes place.”
The UKGC ordered Smart TV to settle any outstanding winning bets and return any outstanding balances to customers. The UKGC acknowledged that “there are currently customers who have outstanding balances in their accounts with the operator. Regrettably, at this point we have no further information on the position of customer funds.”
Founded in 2007, the London-based Smart TV offers online gambling via interactive TV and via seven UK-licensed websites: guruplay.com, smartlivebaccarat.com, smartlivebingo.com, smartliveblackjack.com, smartlivecasino.com, smartlivepoker.com and smartlivesports.com.
The sites are all currently redirecting to Smartlivegaming.com, which displays both a UKGC icon and that of the Malta Gaming Authority. The site says its live dealer casino is operated by Smart Gaming Group Malta Ltd. SmartLiveGaming’s official Twitter feed has not been updated in a month.
The last time the UKGC announced a suspension under Section 120(1)(d), the target was Metro Play Limited, the operators of 666Bet and Metroplay.com. Company officials were accused of involvement in a money laundering and tax fraud scheme and Metro Play was ordered into compulsory liquidation several months later.
