UK Regulator Summons Crypto Outfit to Birmingham Court
Football-themed website Sorare.com is due to appear in court next week, charged with providing unlicensed gambling facilities to consumers in Britain. In what the Guardian describes as an “extremely rare use of the Gambling Commission’s prosecutorial powers,” the Paris-based company has been summoned to Birmingham Magistrates Court for an October 4th hearing.
There has been some good news for London’s Grosvenor Victoria Casino. ©Grosvenor
In September 2021, a round of investment in Sorare, a fantasy sports gaming company, saw it attract the fifth-largest-ever funding in the crypto industry. It received $680 million in cash, giving the company a $4.3 billion valuation. In November 2022, Lionel Messi joined Sorare as an investor and brand ambassador. Other stakeholders include sports stars Kylian Mbappé and Serena Williams.
Sorare’s website boasts over three million users and partnerships with major leagues and 317 clubs worldwide. The number includes every Premier League club and European super teams, including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
A spokesperson for Sorare said: “We are aware of the claims made by the Gambling Commission and have instructed our UK counsel to challenge them. We firmly deny any claims that Sorare is a gambling product under UK laws. The Commission has misunderstood our business and wrongly determined that gambling laws apply to Sorare.”
Unlicensed Gambling Arrest in Stoke
The Gambling Commission has also announced a man has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating unlicensed gambling. The 39-year-old was arrested in Stoke-on-Trent as part of an investigation led by the gambling regulator and supported by Staffordshire Police.
“The man is alleged to have committed offences under Section 33 and 330 of the Gambling Act 2005,” said the Commission, stating it will not be commenting further on the case. By coincidence, bet365, the gambling giant which employs over 7,500 people worldwide, is headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent.
Grosvenor Is on a Winning Streak
In the capital, the Grosvenor Victoria, London’s liveliest poker room and casino, has been granted permission by Westminster Licensing Sub-Committee to sell alcohol until 6 am at weekends. The Edgware Road venue in central London requested the amendment – a two-hour extension to its Saturday and Sunday drinks licence – meaning it can now serve drinks until 6 am seven days a week.
To cap a good fortnight for Grosvenor Casinos, the online and land-based casino chain enjoyed positive press and a satisfied customer when a Portsmouth casino goer won its nationally linked progressive stud poker jackpot. The 54-year-old player, who chose to remain anonymous, collected £97,281 after being dealt a royal flush.
