It marks the first time that the UK’s gambling commission has taken legal action against anyone involved with unlicensed gambling linked to video-games.
The pair were charged under the UK’s Gambling Act in September for promoting a lottery and advertising unlawful gambling to Nepenthez’s YouTube subscriber base off 1.45 million fans.
"Its gravity is reflected in the significant financial penalties imposed by the judge,” said Sarah Harrison, CEO of the commission
"The defendants knew that the site was used by children and that their conduct was illegal but they turned a blind eye in order to achieve substantial profits. The effect on children of online gambling was rightly described by the court as ‘horrific’ and ‘serious’.”
"All websites offering gambling facilities in Britain must be licensed; it is the only way in which children and vulnerable people can be protected. This case demonstrates that we will use the full range of our statutory powers to investigate and prosecute individuals and companies who try to operate illegally.”
