In the United Kingdom and the Gambling Commission regulator has reportedly launched an official investigation into SkyVegas.com after receiving complaints that the online casino had offered complimentary ‘spins’ to recovering gambling addicts.

According to a Wednesday report from The Guardian newspaper, the website is operated by Sky Betting and Gaming subsidiary Bonne Terre Limited and is thought to have sent promotional e-mails to people who had earlier barred themselves voluntarily from enjoying video slots or games such as roulette online. The source detailed that the potential gaffe could prove all the more embarrassing as it emerged during the local iGaming industry’s most recent Safer Gambling Week campaign and only days after its definitive parent had boasted of its own improved safer gambling protocols.

Dual direction:

SkyVegas.com is ultimately owned by London-listed Flutter Entertainment and is to now reportedly be examined over claims that it sent these electronic marketing messages to those who had earlier signed up for the GamStop self-exclusion program. This probe will also purportedly look into allegations that the site had disregarded the wishes of patrons who had opted out of receiving such direct communications.

Previous penalty:

The Guardian reported that this is not the first time Sky Betting and Gaming is thought to have violated its licensing terms as it was fined £1 million ($1.35 million) in 2018 after being found guilty of electronically sending inappropriate promotional materials to some 50,000 customers. However, parent Flutter Entertainment, which used to be known as Paddy Power Betfair until undergoing an early-2020 re-brand, purportedly disclosed on Tuesday that its own third-quarter financial results had suffered as a direct result of tightened safer gambling controls.

Individual involvement:

A spokesperson for the Gambling Commission reportedly proclaimed that the watchdog is now due to look into allegations that SkyVegas.com had ‘sent promotional e-mails to self-excluded customers.’ One of these, Bristol playright Adam Peck, purportedly told the newspaper that he had received such communications despite being on the GamStop register and as a result had attempted to place a wager.

Peck reportedly told The Guardian…

“I thought if I’m receiving promotional material then my self-exclusion might not be working so I tried to access my account and get my password reset. They shouldn’t be targeting anyone, let alone people who’ve told them they have got a problem with gambling and it could be triggering. That it’s happened during Safer Gambling Week is perverse.”

Considered concession:

For its part and Leeds-headquartered Sky Betting and Gaming reportedly released a statement in which it apologized for sending such promotional offers and ‘the distress this may have caused some recipients’. The operator furthermore purportedly asserted that it is ‘treating this matter extremely seriously’ and has launched a thorough investigation of its own in hopes of discovering ‘how this happened as a matter of urgency.’