The Gambling Commission has fined Holland Park Leisure Limited £150,000 after finding that the operator of three Adult Gaming Centres in Leicester failed to take part in the required multi-operator self-exclusion scheme.
The regulator said the company breached Social Responsibility Code Provision 3.5.6, which covers self-exclusion for relevant land-based gambling venues. Under the rules, consumer-facing operators in Great Britain must participate in a multi-operator scheme so that people who want to bar themselves can do so across premises in their area.
According to the Commission, Holland Park Leisure had been made aware of its obligation but did not join the scheme until the regulator suspended its licence in October 2025. The Commission’s register entry also says its officials had previously advised the company that it was not compliant, that the business did not take remedial action at the time, and that it provided misleading information during the Commission’s enquiries.
The register says those points were treated as significant aggravating factors when the penalty was set under section 121(1) of the Act. It also records that once the licence review began, the company took remedial action to ensure future compliance. The decision date listed on the register is 31 July 2026.
Alongside the fine, the Commission said Holland Park Leisure must undergo an independent third-party audit of its policies, procedures and controls, the way they are implemented, and the training and competency of its staff.
A BBC investigation found that self-exclusion schemes were often not properly enforced, reporting that only one of 14 Adult Gaming Centres visited in Portsmouth refused entry to an undercover reporter who had registered to self-exclude. It also said there are nearly 1,500 adult-only gaming centres in Britain and that some operate around the clock.
In announcing the fine, John Pierce, the Commission’s director of enforcement and intelligence, said self-exclusion schemes provide a crucial service for people who feel they are suffering gambling harm. He said operators must fully participate in recognised multi-operator schemes, maintain effective procedures to keep self-excluded customers out, and ensure staff are trained to manage the issue and direct people to support services.
