Gambling fines for 2024 reach $184.4 million, down 73.3%

Neha Soni January 8, 2025

SiGMA news

Gambling industry regulators across the world issued financial penalties of a total $184.4 million in 2024, a 73.3 percent drop from the corresponding year, as reported by Gambling Industry News. In 2023, fines totaled a record-breaking $442.6 million.

A total of 96 fines were issued in 2024. For the year, Spain topped the list of most fines.

Spain tops the list of most fines

Spain’s Ministry for Consumer Affairs set a new record for the year with €65 million in fines in 2024. The ministry issued fines to 15 gambling operators. Of this, 13 were operating in the local market without a licence. Spain’s total fine collection since 2021 has reached €398 million.

Gambling fines issues by regulators in Australia reached $58.5 million in 2024, a significant drop from the $311.4 million issued in 2023. The Federal Court of Australia issued the largest fine of the year. The court penalised SkyCity Adelaide following proceedings initiated by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and levied a fine of AU$67 million.

SkyCity Adelaide faced allegations of significant and systemic non-compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) laws, brought by AUSTRAC in 2022. SkyCity Adelaide admitted to breaching the AML/CTF Act 2006. The breaches include deficiencies in its AML/CTF programs, failing to meet required standards, and not conducting adequate ongoing due diligence for higher-risk customers and transactions.

The Netherlands Gambling Authority issued penalties of $25.7 million, with the largest fine of $21.3 million being levied on Gammix for illegal gambling. This $21.3 million penalty was a record fine for the regulator.

In Sweden, regulator Spelinspektionen collected $11.5 million in fines. The largest fine was levied by Spooniker for offering unauthorised bonuses, collecting $2.7 million.

US gaming commission collected $9.4 million in fine for the year of 2024. MGM Resorts was levied the largest fine by the US Justice Department. The company was fined $7.5 million in relation to illegal sports betting operators that the former president and chief operating officer of Resorts World Las Vegas, Scott Sibella, was aware of.

Meanwhile, UK Gambling Commission brought in £6.6 million ($8.4 million) for the year, down from £214.2 million collected in 2023. The UKGC’s largest fine was £6 million, levied on Gamesys Operations Limited for failings regarding social responsbility and anti-money laundering (AML).

reported Finland, Italy and Canada came next in line with $3 million, $1.4 million and $21,483 collected in the year of 2024.

Looking for regulated excitement? Whether you’re chasing high-stakes action, instant payouts, or unbeatable bonuses, SiGMA Play connects you to the best sports betting sites. Your journey to the ultimate gaming experience begins now!