UK Gambling Commission Restores Ken Howells Sports Betting Licence Following AML Suspension

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has restored the remote gambling licence of Ken Howells Sports Betting operator Targetlocal Limited, following a suspension imposed over anti-money laundering (AML) failings.

The regulator confirmed on 13 October 2026 that the suspension had been lifted after Targetlocal took significant action in response to concerns identified during an investigation into its operations.

Targetlocal's online gambling licence had been suspended since 21 September, when the Commission identified AML failings and launched a formal review under Section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005.

The latest decision allows Targetlocal to resume activities covered by its remote operating licence, although the regulator has not disclosed the specific improvements made by the company or confirmed whether its wider investigation has concluded.

Ken Howells Licence Restored Following Regulatory Review

The original suspension followed enquiries into Targetlocal's operations that raised concerns about the company's compliance with anti-money laundering requirements.

Alongside suspending its remote gambling licence, the UKGC initiated a formal review to assess whether the operator continued to meet the standards required of licensed gambling businesses.

During the suspension, Targetlocal was prohibited from conducting gambling activities covered by its remote licence. However, existing customers were still permitted to access their accounts and withdraw funds, ensuring that the restrictions did not prevent players from recovering their balances.

The company's separate land-based betting licence was not affected by the action and remained active throughout the suspension period.

In its 13 October update, the Commission acknowledged that Targetlocal had taken significant action, providing the basis for removing the restrictions on its online operations.

The regulator published the decision as an update to its original September announcement rather than issuing a separate enforcement notice. It did not provide details of the remedial measures introduced or explain which compliance concerns had been addressed.

Three Online Gambling Activities Reinstated

Following the decision, the UKGC's public register confirms that Targetlocal holds active authorisation for three categories of remote gambling activity.

These include Casino Remote, General Betting Standard – Real Event Remote and General Betting Standard – Virtual Event Remote, allowing the operator to provide online casino products alongside betting on real and virtual events.

All three activities are covered by licence number 000422-R-336567-002, the same authorisation that was suspended in September.

The regulator has therefore reinstated Targetlocal's existing operating licence rather than granting a new authorisation, with the three remote activities listed as active on the public register as of 15 October.

Targetlocal's separate non-remote betting licence, numbered 000422-N-103261-013, also remains active. That licence was never subject to the September suspension.

While the updated register confirms that the operator is authorised to conduct remote gambling activities again, it does not specify when individual products resumed accepting bets.

Wider AML Investigation Outcome Remains Unconfirmed

Although the suspension has been lifted, the UKGC has not confirmed whether its broader review of Targetlocal's AML compliance has been completed.

The original investigation was launched under Section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005, which gives the regulator powers to review operating licences where concerns arise about compliance with licensing requirements.

The October update relates specifically to the suspension and does not establish whether the Commission has reached a final decision on the underlying AML findings.

Consequently, it remains unclear whether Targetlocal could face further regulatory action or whether the measures introduced by the operator will satisfy all outstanding concerns.

For Ken Howells Sports Betting, the immediate outcome is the restoration of its remote gambling authorisation following a suspension lasting just over three weeks.

Any further developments will depend on the Commission's handling of the original licence review, with no additional enforcement decision or timetable for concluding the investigation announced.