Regulatory Action Targets Leicester Operator Over Self-Exclusion Compliance Gap

The UK Gambling Commission has imposed a £150,000 fine on Holland Park Leisure Limited after the operator failed to join a required multi-operator self-exclusion scheme that lets individuals exclude themselves from multiple adult gaming centres at once. The company runs three such centres in Leicester, and the penalty follows a period of non-compliance that only ended once the regulator suspended the operator's licence in October 2025.

Commission records show the firm eventually joined the scheme after the suspension took effect, yet it now faces an additional requirement to complete a third-party audit covering its policies, procedures, controls and staff training. This audit aims to verify that future operations meet all licence conditions tied to consumer protection measures.

Details of the Enforcement Process

Holland Park Leisure Limited operates adult gaming centres where customers can access gaming machines and related services, and participation in the multi-operator self-exclusion scheme forms a core licence condition. The scheme enables people experiencing gambling-related difficulties to register once and be excluded from multiple premises simultaneously, reducing opportunities for continued play across different operators. Data from the Commission indicates that operators must maintain active membership and integrate exclusion lists into their day-to-day operations to prevent access by those who have self-excluded.

Enforcement began after monitoring revealed the operator had not joined the scheme, prompting the licence suspension in October 2025. Once membership was confirmed, the suspension lifted, although the £150,000 financial penalty remained in place alongside the audit mandate. The Commission has stated that self-exclusion participation protects consumers from harm and therefore ranks as a fundamental requirement rather than an optional step.

Holland Park Leisure Limited must now demonstrate through the audit that its controls align with licence conditions, and failure to complete this step could trigger further regulatory measures. The Commission has emphasised that operators cannot treat self-exclusion participation as a secondary task, because the scheme directly supports efforts to minimise gambling-related harm across licensed premises.

Context Within Existing Licence Framework

Under the Gambling Act 2005 and subsequent licence conditions, operators must participate in multi-operator schemes where they exist, and the Commission monitors compliance through routine checks and targeted investigations. When gaps appear, the regulator can apply sanctions that range from warnings to licence suspension and financial penalties. In this instance the sequence moved from identification of non-compliance to suspension and then to the fine plus audit requirement once membership was secured.

Records confirm the three Leicester centres remain operational following the resolution of the suspension, yet the operator continues to operate under heightened scrutiny until the audit concludes. The Commission retains authority to impose additional conditions or further penalties if the audit uncovers persistent weaknesses in policy implementation or staff procedures.