Merkur Slots UK Fined £95,000 for Social Responsibility Failings at Stockport Venue

Merkur Slots UK has been fined £95,000 by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) after a serious lapse in social responsibility standards at one of its adult gaming centres in Stockport.

The fine follows a UKGC investigation which found that Merkur staff failed to appropriately intervene with a customer who engaged in prolonged gambling sessions—playing continuously from 1:50 PM to 6:43 PM on 1 November, and again from 1:28 PM on 2 November until 12:57 AM the following day. The customer ultimately lost £1,981 during this period.

The regulator concluded that the venue breached the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), which require proactive customer interaction to mitigate potential gambling-related harm.

“This case clearly demonstrates an operator failing to comply with regulations designed to protect consumers,” said UKGC Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes. “In recent years, we’ve penalised online operators for similar failings. This investigation highlights that land-based venues are equally accountable and must take action to reduce the risk of harm.”

The UKGC cited that Merkur’s Stockport staff did not properly implement existing company policies and procedures. In response, Merkur acknowledged the shortcomings and has since introduced immediate remedial measures at the location.

Rhodes emphasized the importance of robust internal controls: “All operators must ensure they have effective policies in place and that staff are properly trained to apply them in real-world situations.”

Part of a Broader Push for Safer Gambling

This enforcement comes amid broader regulatory efforts to strengthen consumer protections across the retail gambling sector. The UKGC has launched a public consultation on gaming machine technical standards and safety protocols, running from 29 January to 20 May.

As part of the Gambling Act Review White Paper rollout, the consultation proposes five new technical standards, a new licence condition, and a social responsibility code provision—all aimed at helping players use gaming machines more safely at every step of their journey.

Tim Miller, UKGC Executive Director for Research and Policy, commented: “The White Paper sets a clear direction for safer gambling, and our latest consultation outlines how we plan to implement these changes in the land-based sector.”