Ken Howell’s Sports Betting online licence suspended over AML failings

The Gambling Commission has suspended the online gambling licence of Targetlocal Ltd, which trades as Ken Howell’s Sports Betting and operates kenhowells.com. The regulator said enquiries revealed anti-money laundering (AML) failings, prompting the immediate suspension of the company’s combined remote operating licence on 21 September. Its online casino, sports betting and virtual event betting activities are affected. Customers can still access their accounts and withdraw money, while Targetlocal’s separate licence for non-remote betting remains in place.

Commission opens licence review

The Commission is reviewing Targetlocal’s remote licence under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005. It said the suspension will remain in place until it is satisfied that the business is compliant. The announcement does not set out the specific AML shortcomings identified or give a timetable for the review.

The regulator has announced a suspension while it investigates the licence. It is not publishing the outcome of a completed enforcement case. It has not announced a financial penalty or said that customers’ funds are missing.

Targetlocal’s combined remote licence covers several types of online gambling under one operating licence. The suspension therefore affects the online business’s casino, sports betting and virtual event betting activities, rather than a single product on the Ken Howell’s website.

Customers can still withdraw funds

The suspension does not stop existing customers from logging into their accounts or withdrawing their money. The Commission said Targetlocal can be contacted through its website and has told the operator to treat consumers fairly and keep them informed of developments that affect them.

“The suspension, which takes place immediately, does not prevent Targetlocal Ltd from allowing consumers to access their accounts and withdraw funds.” — Gambling Commission, 21 September 2026

For customers, the practical distinction is between the suspension of online gambling activity and access to money already held in an account. The Commission has explicitly said withdrawals may continue. It has also placed responsibility on the operator to communicate any relevant developments during the review.

Betting shop licence unaffected

Targetlocal also holds a non-remote general betting standard licence. The Commission said its latest action does not affect that licence. The announcement concerns the company’s remote gambling operations, so it should not be read as a suspension of its land-based betting activity.

The case adds to the Commission’s scrutiny of AML controls among UK-licensed operators. For now, the regulator has provided limited detail about what its enquiries found. Any further action will depend on the outcome of its ongoing review, and the remote suspension will remain until the Commission is satisfied that Targetlocal is compliant.