Holland Park Leisure Hit With £150,000 UKGC Penalty Over Self-Exclusion Failings

Holland Park Leisure has been fined £150,000 by the UK Gambling Commission for failing to comply with the regulator’s self-exclusion requirements designed to protect players from potential gambling harm.

According to an official report by the UK Gambling Commission, the Leicester-based company operating three adult gaming centers in Coalville and Leicester was aware of its obligations as a UKGC licensee and still failed to comply with explicit self-exclusion requirements.

In addition to the financial penalty, the operator is required to undergo a third-party audit focused on its staff training and policies.

Holland Park Leisure Failed to Meet UKGC’s Self-Exclusion Requirements

On July 31, 2026, the UK Gambling Commission published an official press release on its website detailing the steps leading to the regulatory action against Holland Park Leisure.

The report states that Holland Park Leisure Limited failed to comply with the regulator’s Social Responsibility Code Provision (SRCP) 3.5.6, also known as the multi-operator non-remote social responsibility code.

The UK Gambling Commission has a similar Social Responsibility Code in place covering UK online casinos, while the one Holland Park Leisure failed to comply with specifically governs land-based gambling businesses. In accordance with the UK Gambling Commission’s Enforcement, Compliance, and Licensing policy, the outcome of the review was a financial penalty of £150,000.

The regulator’s official press release also details that one of the main aggravating factors in determining the financial penalty under section 121(1) in respect of the Social Responsibility Code Provision failing was that UK Gambling Commission officials had previously approached Holland Park Leisure and warned the operator about its non-compliance. Holland Park Leisure was given enough time to take corrective action, but never took actual steps to ensure regulatory compliance prior to receiving the penalty.

The same report reveals that the licensee in question has since taken steps to ensure future regulatory compliance, but the financial penalty stands.

Previous UKGC Warnings Played a Role in Holland Park Leisure Penalty

The UK Gambling Commission officials made it clear that Holland Park Leisure’s failure to take action after being warned about its regulatory obligations played a role in the financial penalty and enforcement action that followed.

According to the report, the operator, responsible for three adult gaming venues in the UK, was given ample time to address the issue but still continued its operations without participating in the regulator’s mandatory multi-operator self-exclusion scheme.

John Pierce, the UKGC’s Director of Enforcement, briefly commented on the matter, saying that participating in these self-exclusion schemes is not optional but an essential part of the market’s operation. He added that self-exclusion schemes covering all licensed land-based and online gambling venues, including all new online casinos, are the most important safeguarding measure, especially for players who are more prone to gambling-related harm.

The UK Gambling Commission’s self-exclusion scheme allows players to exclude themselves from multiple gambling venues rather than having to contact each operator separately. All participating licensees are required to have measures in place to accurately identify self-excluded individuals and take steps to ensure they can’t access their gambling premises, whether online or offline, during the exclusion period.

Holland Park Leisure Takes Steps Toward Future Compliance

Since the report was published, Holland Park Leisure has taken steps to ensure its future regulatory compliance with the mandatory requirements set by the UK Gambling Commission.

After its license was suspended, the operator joined the multi-operator self-exclusion scheme. Before it returns to business as usual, it will undergo an extensive third-party audit covering its staff training, responsible gambling procedures, and policies.

The £150,000 penalty remains in place as a reminder that the UK Gambling Commission's responsible gambling requirements will be strictly enforced across the entire market.