🚨 UKGC Regulatory Action · 21 September 2026

Ken Howells Licence Suspended — Anti-Money Laundering Failings Found

Ken Howells' online gambling licence was suspended by the UK Gambling Commission on 21 September 2026 after regulator enquiries identified anti-money laundering failings. A review of Targetlocal Ltd's remote licence is open under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005. Customers are still permitted to access their accounts and withdraw funds.

Published: 2026-09-21 · Primary source: UK Gambling Commission — "Suspension of licence — Targetlocal Ltd"

⚠️ Ken Howells Current Status

Legal entity
Targetlocal Ltd
Trading name
Ken Howells Sports Betting
Remote licence status
Suspended
Date of suspension
21 September 2026
Reason stated by UKGC
Anti-money laundering failings
Review basis
Section 116, Gambling Act 2005
Non-remote licence
Not affected
Customer withdrawals
Permitted — customers can still access accounts
SuperSubBetting recommendation
Paused — do not deposit
UKGC statement →Compare Ken Howells alternatives →

What happened to Ken Howells?

Ken Howells' online gambling licence was suspended by the UK Gambling Commission on 21 September 2026 after regulator enquiries identified anti-money laundering failings at the operator. The suspension was published by the UKGC in its news release: "Suspension of licence — Targetlocal Ltd".

The operator is formally known as Targetlocal Ltd, which trades as Ken Howells Sports Betting. The suspension applies to its remote casino, sports betting and virtual event betting operation. Targetlocal's non-remote general betting standard licence is not affected by this action.

The UKGC is reviewing the licence under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005. The suspension remains in place until the regulator is satisfied the business is compliant with its licence conditions, including anti-money laundering requirements.

Importantly, the UKGC has confirmed that customers are still permitted to access their accounts and withdraw funds during the suspension period.

📋 Primary source

UK Gambling Commission — "Suspension of licence — Targetlocal Ltd", 21 September 2026.

Secondary: UKGC public register — Ken Howells

What does anti-money laundering mean in gambling?

UK gambling operators are required by their licence conditions to have robust anti-money laundering (AML) systems and controls in place. These include customer due diligence, source-of-funds checks, transaction monitoring and staff training. A failure to meet these standards means that the operator's platform could — whether intentionally or not — be used to launder money.

When the UKGC identifies AML failings during a compliance review, it has powers under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005 to suspend the operator's licence immediately while the review is ongoing. The suspension does not automatically mean criminal activity has been confirmed — it means the regulator has identified failures that must be addressed before the licence can continue operating.

Licence suspension vs licence revocation — what is the difference?

Suspension (current status)

  • • Temporary regulatory hold
  • • Regulator reviewing compliance
  • • Licence not cancelled — not active
  • • Customers can still withdraw funds
  • • Can be lifted if issues resolved
  • • This is Ken Howells' current status

Revocation

  • • Permanent cancellation of licence
  • • Operator cannot continue gambling operations
  • • Regulatory process completed
  • • Cannot be undone without new application
  • • Not Ken Howells' current status

SuperSubBetting will update this article immediately if Ken Howells' status changes to revocation or reinstatement.

Can Ken Howells customers withdraw funds?

Yes. The UK Gambling Commission's news release on the Targetlocal Ltd suspension confirms that customers are still permitted to access their accounts and withdraw funds.

Recommended steps for Ken Howells customers:

  1. Log in and attempt a withdrawal through the normal cashier
  2. Contact Ken Howells customer support via live chat or email if you encounter any issues
  3. Check the UKGC website for customer guidance on licence suspensions
  4. If unresolved, contact the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS)

Looking for an alternative to Ken Howells?

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William Hill

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Ken Howells?▾
The UKGC (UK Gambling Commission) suspended Ken Howells' remote gambling licence on 21 September 2026 after regulator enquiries revealed anti-money laundering failings at Targetlocal Ltd, the company that trades as Ken Howells Sports Betting. The suspension applies to its remote casino, sports betting and virtual event betting operation. Targetlocal's non-remote general betting standard licence is not affected.
Why was Ken Howells suspended? What is the reason?▾
The UKGC explicitly stated that the suspension followed regulator enquiries which revealed anti-money laundering (AML) failings. The UKGC is reviewing the licence under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005. The suspension remains until the regulator is satisfied the business is compliant.
Who owns Ken Howells?▾
Ken Howells Sports Betting is a trading name of Targetlocal Ltd, the entity whose remote gambling licence has been suspended by the UKGC on 21 September 2026.
Is Ken Howells closed permanently?▾
No. A licence suspension is a temporary regulatory measure, not a permanent revocation. The UKGC is reviewing Targetlocal Ltd's licence under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005. The suspension remains until the regulator is satisfied the business is compliant. SuperSubBetting will update this page if the licence is reinstated or revoked.
Can I still withdraw money from Ken Howells?▾
Yes — the UKGC news release states that customers are still permitted to access their accounts and withdraw funds during the suspension. If you encounter any issues, contact Ken Howells customer support directly. You can also seek assistance from the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) or the UKGC consumer guidance if needed.
What is anti-money laundering (AML) in gambling?▾
Anti-money laundering rules require licensed gambling operators to have systems and procedures to detect and prevent money laundering through their platforms. This includes customer due diligence, source-of-funds checks and transaction monitoring. The UKGC can suspend or revoke a licence if an operator fails to meet AML requirements.
When will Ken Howells reopen?▾
There is no confirmed reinstatement date. The suspension remains until the UKGC is satisfied that Targetlocal Ltd is compliant with its licence conditions. SuperSubBetting will update this article if the licence status changes.
What are the best alternatives to Ken Howells right now?▾
BetTOM (Sub On, Bet On — EveryMatrix platform) is the closest naming and platform peer. 36Vegas (The Bet Must Go On / Pass the Stats) covers Premier League, La Liga and Ligue 1 player markets. William Hill Impact Sub and Betfred Sub Switch are mainstream UK alternatives. All four currently hold active UKGC licences.

Sources

SuperSubBetting reports facts based on publicly available regulatory information. This article will be updated if Ken Howells' licence status changes.

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🛡️ Responsible Gambling

18+ only. Betting should be recreational. For help, contact GamCare, GambleAware or GamStop.