Gambling giant agrees to pay £615 million in deferred prosecution

A UK gambling firm has agreed to pay £615 million as part of a complex international investigation launched by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Entain PLC (formerly GVC Holdings), an online sports betting and gaming business and owner of Ladbrokes and Coral bookmakers, has agreed the payment as part of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) relating to its former Turkish business.

The agreement with Entain PLC was approved during a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice today (5 December 2023) and is the first ever DPA involving HMRC or the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The DPA relates to offences under Section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010 and a failure by the Company to prevent bribery in relation to its legacy Turkish-facing business.

Richard Las, CBE, Chief Investigation Officer and Director Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:

“HMRC is committed to creating a level playing field for businesses and this judgement should serve as a wake-up call to others to make sure their house is in order.

“This was a complex international investigation that was launched as part of our role as an anti-money laundering supervisor. It has resulted in today’s hearing that revealed Entain failed to prevent bribery in relation to its former business in Turkey.

“This case is a significant multi-million pound agreement for the taxpayer, which includes a £585m penalty, £20m for charities and a further £10m in legal costs.”

Entain sold its Turkish business in 2017 has been trading as Entain PLC since 2020.

Notes for editors

1. The agreement was approved at the Royal Courts of Justice by Dame Victoria Sharp, DBE, today (5 December 2023).
2. The DPA relates to a failure to prevent bribery under section 7 of the Bribery Act (2010).
3. The DPA and judgement is available from the CPS.
4. A Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) is an agreement reached between a prosecutor and an organisation which could be prosecuted, under the supervision of a judge. The agreement allows a prosecution to be deferred for a defined period provided the organisation meets certain specified conditions.
5. DPAs can be used for fraud, bribery and other economic crime. They apply to organisations, never individuals.
6. DPAs were introduced on 24 February 2014, under the provisions of Schedule 17 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013
7. Find out more about HMRC's anti-money laundering role
8. Follow HMRC’s Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice