188Bet Closes Doors with Immediate Effect
By Simon Wright, Last updated Jan 7, 2021
188Bet the online sportsbook and online casino operation, who in the past were the official bookmaker for Premier League clubs such as Chelsea, have announced today they are ceasing operations for players located in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar and Ireland.
An announcement on their website reads: “With effect from today, 26 March 2019, 188BET.co.uk (Annatar Limited) will cease providing gambling services to players located in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar and Ireland.
This is a commercial decision in a very competitive marketplace. Annatar Limited is solvent and fully able to meet all its financial obligations which includes its customer funds that remain ring-fenced and safe.
We have provided advance notice of this to our regulators and we will manage the closure of our Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar and Ireland business and return customer funds in an orderly manner.
With effect from today at 00:01 hrs (GMT) on 26 March 2019, 188BET.co.uk (Annatar Limited) will cease to accept bets from customers…..“
According to the Racing Post website, it reaffirms Annatar Limited assertion that the move to cease operations for residents of the UK, Channel Islands, Gibraltar and Ireland is a commercial decision, due to the competitive market place that 188Bet has found itself in.
The Racing Post also states that all ante post bets placed with 188Bet up until the 30th June will stand. Unlike what recently occurred with Betbright, who voided all ante post bets, upon the sale of their technology to 888Holdings.
188Bet is primarily focused on the far east market of which it continues to operate in. Annatar Limited, the owners and operators of 188Bet, stress they will continue to operate in the other territories where they have a presence.