UK Gambling Commission mysteriously suspends Matchbook casino licence

[BTCDestiny]

"For 'reasons unknown', the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has “temporarily” suspended the online gaming licence of online casino and betting exchange Matchbook. Matchbook contacted customers on Monday to say they would be closed for all betting and casino activity from Tuesday onward, but promised they would return to normal service soon. Customers were also informed that they would be able to withdraw funds and that open positions would be settled." - source UKGC mysteriously suspends Matchbook casino licence
 
Maybe this had something to do with it? (a few weeks ago)
https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/cork-based-tech-company-caught-up-in-1m-a-day-international-betting-scam-38908141.html

[harizen]

UK Gambling Commission is highly authorized and responsible to regulate gambling within their scope.

Even Matchbook has been in service for long-time, no way the commission will just issue a suspension without a valid reason. If it was disclosed, much better.

I think only a few users here use the service so I think it's not alarming. And besides, it's just a temporary suspension and all users are allowed to withdraw their funds.

[Timelord2067]

Perhaps if you had gone here first: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/Home.aspx and had a look around you might have found clues to your concern.

You can also check here: https://www.casino.co.uk/blacklisted/ for information on black-listed casinos.

and... what's more likely to have occurred can be found on this page: "Gambling on credit cards to be banned from April 2020" https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/gambling-on-credit-cards-to-be-banned-from-april-2020?mod=article_inline


I doubt there's really anything "Mysterious" in their decision.

[tyKiwanuka]

I think only a few users here use the service so I think it's not alarming.

This. I used to play a bit with them, when my Betfair account was closed, and it's a pretty shitty exchange. I don't know anyone who plays there and 99% of liquidity comes from their market makers imo.

What turned me off was their commission model (not sure, if it's still the same). They charged commission on every matched bet and this is just a no-go. You can punt there, but even some low-frequency trading is already a nightmare. If you are doing multiple trades in a market you are totally doomed. The commission will eat a huge portion of your winnings, if not all.

I am waiting for the day there is a real competitor to Betfair. They are really annoying with their monopoly and can do whatever they want with their customers. After Betfair shut down for a lot of people, Betdaq got some more liquidity, but it was only short-lived. Everybody returned to Betfair sooner or later with faked utility bills, bought accounts or via agents.

[Haunebu]

"Gambling on credit cards to be banned from April 2020" https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/gambling-on-credit-cards-to-be-banned-from-april-2020?mod=article_inline

This would make crypto betting sites like Fairlay even better propositions due to the anonymous aspect involved which is why this isn't a completely bad move in my opinion.

I am waiting for the day there is a real competitor to Betfair. They are really annoying with their monopoly and can do whatever they want with their customers. After Betfair shut down for a lot of people, Betdaq got some more liquidity, but it was only short-lived. Everybody returned to Betfair sooner or later with faked utility bills, bought accounts or via agents.

At present, Fairlay is an excellent competitor to Betfair in the crypto market based on my experience with them. I pay a very small commission of 0.2256% on my winnings there and the liquidity is decent too making it my favorite crypto exchange overall.

[Docnaster]

Usually when something like this happens it's because the regulatory body is unable to release further information for a variety of reasons. The actual cause behind the suspension is likely valid though, since these organizations don't mess around.

Most likely there is a criminal or civil case going on, or the casino is currently being investigated by the police. As such, releasing the information why could compromise the criminal investigation.

In any case, I'd avoid this place and any related casinos for now.

[mBet_Shaun]

We dont chime in on other operator threads, this is just a link to point people at the actual information:

https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/News/the-gambling-commission-has-undertaken-a-licence-review-under-s116-of-the-gambling-act-2005-the-act-into-triplebet-limited

[tyKiwanuka]

At present, Fairlay is an excellent competitor to Betfair in the crypto market based on my experience with them. I pay a very small commission of 0.2256% on my winnings there and the liquidity is decent too making it my favorite crypto exchange overall.

This is a bit off-topic now, but no, I don't think so. I heard good things about fairlay and checked them out for myself, but being an excellent competitor is something else imo Betfair has no competition.

Check the market for Tottenham - Leipzig.

Betfair - volume 235,000 Euro:



Fairlay - volume 0.02 mBTC:




The navigation at Fairlay is weary, but this might be me, since I am not used to it. Afaik they have no API and/or you can't use trading software (if you can trade properly at Fairlay anyway). But it's of course fine to place your bets there, if it suits your needs. I am not saying they are bad, but they are not what I need and no competition to Betfair (yet ?).