BC.Game Expected to Obtain Gaming License in Vanuatu

Next.io is reporting that BC.Game is in pursuit of a gaming license in the South Pacific island of Vanuatu.

Earlier Monday, the gambling firm announced it would not longer be servicing the United Kingdom.

The statement read as follows:

Please note that bcgame.uk will no longer be available to both new and existing players.

In an effort to efficiently proceed with the closure of the website, we disabled any new registrations from Thursday 14th November 2024, and all existing players have been contacted via their registered email address to confirm the closure of their accounts and settlement of open bets.

Any outstanding balances have been withdrawn back to the last deposit method used. However, if this was not possible, we have attempted to contact all affected players to arrange the withdrawal of their funds. Deletion of any personal data will be actioned in line with TGP Europe's Privacy Policy and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018).

The decision comes just days after BC.Game reassured England football club Leicester City it would be honoring a multi-million dollar contract.

BC.Game's Curaçao gaming license is in danger of being revoked, according to regulators there.  The company could go through a period of time where it is without a license and unable to obtain funding.

BC.Game has vehemently rejected a November 12 Curaçao Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten ruling that declared it bankrupt.  The company had until this past Friday to plead its case.

BC.Game tried in filings to argue its Small House BV holding company had purchased the operator’s assets from Blockdance BV in a deal that did not extend to its liabilities after a group of organized players claimed they were owed by the gambling company.

The court further found that BC.Game had breached its licensing conditions by failing to maintain a reputable local bank account and failing to pay a €5m 2022 Spanish government penalty.

Following the case, BC.Game management said: “We strongly disagree with the court’s recent rulings and will vigorously appeal the decision, as we believe it failed to adequately consider key facts.

“BC.Game is confident in our ability to demonstrate compliance and uphold our reputation as a legitimate operator in the industry.

“We are evaluating the most robust options to safeguard the company’s continued operations and maintain strict compliance with industry standards. Our users’ trust and satisfaction are our top priorities.”

It is not known whether Vanuatu would allow BC.Game to be licensed on the island. 

Vanuatu, with a population of 335,908, is recognized as the first ever jurisdiction to offer an online gaming license in the 1990's.

"Now, the island nation has re-launched its well known licensing framework for pre-regulated markets and we are delighted to not only share the details with you, but also assist you in obtaining a brand new Vanuatu Interactive Gaming License."

The regulatory body here cites Curaçao as an example of the industry standard, thus casting in doubt the likelihood of BC.Game obtaining a license here.

"When selecting a gaming license, it's crucial to ensure its acceptance by third parties such as banks, payment service providers (PSPs), and games and platform suppliers. We can assist license holders in obtaining offshore banking and payment solutions. Some payment firms directly accept Vanuatu licensed entities, while others may require a setup through payment arms based in locations like Cyprus or the Isle of Man.

"This approach is familiar to those who have dealt with Curacao licenses. Therefore, banking and payment processing shouldn't pose significant issues, and our assistance is available if needed."