Bet St George Enters Administration as UKGC Redirects Customer Claims

The appointment was made before the regulator’s announcement. A notice in The Gazette, published on October 12, puts the date at October 8.

Three Administrators Took Office

The notice names Joanne Louise Hammond, Robert Neil Dymond and Phil Stone of BTG Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP as joint administrators of Bet St George Ltd. The company had already given up its gambling licence on September 4, alongside BresBet. Both bookmakers were suspended on August 28 following UKGC enquiries into suspected anti-money laundering and social responsibility failings.

The suspensions did not, by themselves, stop customers from accessing accounts or withdrawing funds. At the time, the regulator expected both businesses to keep customers informed and treat them fairly.

The position is different now for Bet St George. Under the UKGC’s October 16 guidance, customers who believe they are owed money should contact BTG at betstgeorge@btguk.com.

Neither the regulatory update nor the Gazette notice provides a total for outstanding customer balances. There is also no published repayment timetable in either document.

Both Bookmakers Have the Same Key Individuals

A check of the Companies House register by 15M covered directors, persons with significant control and filing histories for both bookmakers. The records show:

• Directors. Nicholas James Brereton is listed as a director of both businesses.
• Ownership. He and Rebecca Brereton appear as persons with significant control at both companies. Nicholas Brereton holds more than 50% of BresBet’s shares, compared with more than 25% but no more than 50% at Bet St George.
• Director departure. Sarah Jane Laycock ceased to be a director of Bet St George and BresBet on August 10, 18 days before their licences were suspended.

The filings do not explain her departure or establish any connection with the subsequent regulatory action.

HMRC Filed a Petition Against BresBet

BresBet is also facing a winding-up petition from HMRC. The petition was registered with the courts on September 29, according to an October 18 report by Racing Post.

The newspaper also reported that BresBet had told the Independent Betting Arbitration Service (IBAS) it was entering administration. IBAS said the bookmaker did not dispute customers’ entitlement to their account balances.

No administrator appointment is listed in BresBet’s published Companies House filing history. The UKGC has not yet provided a contact for customers seeking unpaid funds from the company.