ProgressPlay CEO Receives Personal Warning Over Gambling Compliance Failures

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a formal warning to ProgressPlay chief executive Itai Loewenstein. This is after determining that he failed to take reasonable steps to ensure the operator met its regulatory obligations.

The decision was dated 29 October 2026. It followed a review of Loewenstein's Personal Management Licence (PML), which he holds in connection with his responsibility for the company's overall management and direction.

The regulator found that he had breached the general conditions attached to personal licences under Section 75 of the Gambling Act 2005. A warning was subsequently issued under Section 117(1)(a) of the Act, with details published on the Commission's regulatory register.

Failures in Financial Crime Prevention and Player Protection

The Commission identified shortcomings in Loewenstein's oversight of two key areas of gambling regulation. These were anti-money laundering procedures and customer protection.

They included failures to take all reasonable steps to ensure ProgressPlay complied with licence conditions relating to the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing.

The findings also covered requirements under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017. These apply to relevant operators based outside the UK.

Separately, the regulator identified failures relating to Social Responsibility Code Provision 3.4.3. This governs how gambling businesses identify and respond to customers showing signs of potential harm.

Operators must monitor customer activity from the opening of an account, respond appropriately to indicators of gambling harm and assess whether interventions have been effective.

The Commission determined that Loewenstein had not taken all reasonable steps to ensure these obligations were met.

Regulator Acknowledges CEO's Cooperation

Despite the findings, the Commission acknowledged Loewenstein's conduct during its investigation.

In its published decision, the regulator stated:

"Mr Loewenstein has been open and transparent throughout our engagement with him."

It also confirmed that the chief executive had accepted shortcomings in his oversight and demonstrated an understanding of the issues identified.

The resulting sanction was a formal warning rather than the suspension or revocation of his personal licence. The Commission's published decision does not announce an additional financial penalty against Loewenstein.

Personal Accountability Under UK Gambling Rules

The case shows the responsibilities placed on senior executives holding personal management licences within the UK gambling industry.

Operators are responsible for maintaining compliant systems. Individuals, however, are in charge of overseeing their management. They must also take reasonable steps to ensure regulatory requirements are followed.

The distinction is particularly relevant to anti-money laundering and safer gambling obligations. Any weaknesses in operational procedures can raise questions about senior management oversight.

For other UK-licensed gambling businesses, the decision shows how compliance failures can lead to regulatory scrutiny of individual executives, rather than action being limited to the companies they manage.

Loewenstein's warning has been recorded on the Commission's public register. This makes the outcome publicly accessible.