Mastercard and Visa Under Fire for Ties to Illegal Gambling Sites Scamming UK Customers

Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 07:59am on 09 Mar 2025,Sunday International

An investigation reveals that Mastercard and Visa continue to process payments for illegal gambling websites scamming UK customers. Despite commitments to block transactions on unlicensed sites, Mastercard was found on nine such platforms and Visa on two. Victims report significant financial losses, inability to withdraw winnings, and sudden account closures after raising concerns. Both companies profit from these transactions, raising compliance and regulatory effectiveness questions. The Gambling Commission is aware and has issued cease and desist notices, but these sites remain active. Mastercard and Visa claim to investigate illegal activities on their networks, emphasizing reliance on partner banks for regulation. This situation underscores the need for increased enforcement and accountability in payment processing.

Read More at The Guardian

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