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Manx-based gambling firm escapes sanctions despite investigation

Gambling businesses are required to carry out responsible gambling checks

An Isle of Man-based gambling firm that contacted older people and persuaded them to bet tens of thousands of pounds has escaped sanctions despite a regulatory investigation.

According to the Gambling Commission, International Multi-Media Entertainments Limited, of Finch Road, Douglas, which trades as Lotteries.com and the Lottery Centre, committed extensive breaches of its licence.

A review into the company's practices found sales agents used fake names on the phones and targeted older people, three quarters of which were over 60-years-old while a fifth had reached their 80th birthday.

One customer was 100-years-old and gambled almost £25,000 without the firm inquiring into his source of funds.

Businesses such as IMME Limited are required to carry out responsible gambling checks.

The review found other discrepancies including lack of records plus failings in the way it marketed its services.

Documents filed with the Isle of Man companies registry in September of last year list Gloria Jean Evans of Douglas as a director along with Paul Michael Whelan who is based in Hertfordshire.  

Along with IMME, both have surrendered their personal licences to run a gambling business so therefore the UK-based Gambling Commission can no longer take further action against them.

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