The leading global betting, gaming and interactive entertainment group, Entain, announced that it has set aside some £585 million ($747 million) regarding its ongoing deterred prosecution agreement (DPA) negotiations with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over an investigation by the HMRC for one of its former Turkish-facing businesses. The business, which was under the name of GVC Holdings, before it was sold by Entain in 2017, was probed over alleged breaches of Section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010.

In light of the investigation by the HMRC, previously, Entain confirmed that it entered into DPA negotiations with the CPS to resolve the years-long issue. After a few years into the issue, the company confirmed that it may be able to resolve the HMRC investigation.

The terms of the DPA remain subject to approval from a judge but Entain believes that setting aside £585 million ($747 million) as a potential settlement may resolve the issue. The aforementioned sum, if such resolution is approved, would be paid by the company over a period of four years. Although the provision of the hefty sum was announced Thursday, Entain said that it may seek judicial approval at some point in Q4 2023.

“While the full terms of a DPA are subject to judicial approval, the Company has a sufficient degree of confidence to take a provision of £585 million against a potential settlement, which would be paid over a four-year period in relation to alleged offences under Section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010,“

explains a statement released by Entain

The Company Updated Its Bribery Policies

Barry Gibson, Entain’s chairman, said that the company is delighted to see progress on the years-long issue, involving a business that was sold nearly six years ago. He explained: “We have been working closely with the CPS throughout this process, and they have recognized our extensive cooperation.” Last but not least, Gibson noted that Entain improved its strategy, business model and culture in the last few years.

“Following a complete overhaul of our business model, strategy and culture in the last few years, the Entain of today bears no resemblance to the GVC of yesterday.“

Barry Gibson, chairman at Entain

Since the launch of the HMRC probe, Entain has gone through an extensive review and update of its anti-bribery policies and procedures. Ultimately, the company sought to update and improve its policies, complementing and strengthening its compliance with different markets around the globe.

With the latest update, Entain hopes to resolve timely the matter. Currently, the company holds licenses in more than 40 jurisdictions and is recognized as a leading betting, gaming and entertainment company around the world.

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Entain, a global gaming and betting giant, unveiled that it is in deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) negotiations with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). This company seeks to resolve the ongoing HM Revenue & Customs investigation (HMRC) hurdles related to a former Turkish subsidiary.

Back in November 2019, an Entain subsidiary received a production order from the HMRC, asking it to provide information about its former iGaming and betting business in Turkey. The business in question was held by the company from 2011 to 2017, after which the group sold it.

The investigation, Entain said, was at first directed at several former third-party suppliers that processed iGaming payments in Turkey. On July 11, 2020, the scope of the investigation was expanded to include potential corporate offenses by entities within the Entain group.

Entain noted that the offenses under investigation include, but are not limited to, section seven of the Bribery Act 2010.

The Company May Receive a Fine

Entain continued that it understood that the ongoing investigation includes a review of the former Turkish-facing business. It admitted that it is possible for misconduct involving former third-party suppliers to have occurred in the past. Because of that, Entain emphasized that it is committed to cooperating with the HMRC and the CPS.

Entain noted that, at this point, it is still impossible to say what the investigation will yield. It is possible that an entity within the group may defend its action successfully or be convicted. In any case, Entain is now seeking to conclude DPA negotiations with the CPS. The resolution, the gambling giant said, would be subject to judicial approval.

Entain warned that the case might result in a fine of undetermined size.

In the meantime, Entain has started a comprehensive review of its anti-bribery protocols and policies. The company said that it has taken necessary action to reinforce its compliance program and related controls.

Entain said that its board of directors is satisfied with the compliance progress the group is making and is also happy with the progress regarding the ongoing investigation. The company’s board will seek an orderly conclusion to the matter.

This is not the only trouble Entain has faced in recent times. Around a week ago, the company was accused of allegedly funding an organization that incentivizes gamblers to protest against the United Kingdom’s ongoing gambling reforms. Some UK officials were not very happy with these lobbying efforts and called Entain’s methods “underhanded.”

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