Irish Sun Cuts Casino Section Over Licensing Issues

The Irish Sun has made a significant move by removing its online casino affiliate section due to allegations of promoting unlicensed operators. This action responds to scrutiny regarding their association with black market operators, emphasizing the need for regulatory compliance among media outlets. For more details, see the full report by iGaming Expert.

The Irish Sun, a major publication, previously provided affiliate links to online casinos, some lacking licensing from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This decision comes as the UKGC intensifies efforts to crack down on black market operations, which have raised concerns for regulators and legitimate operators alike. The action against the Irish Sun reflects broader efforts to ensure that only licensed entities operate within the market.

A spokesperson for The Irish Sun confirmed in a 22 June statement: 'We have removed our affiliate section to ensure full compliance with the regulatory standards expected of us.'

What this means for UK casino players

For UK casino players, this move should prompt scrutiny over the sources of information and recommendations for online gambling. If you've relied on media outlets for casino reviews, ensuring those recommendations align with UKGC standards is essential. Choosing UKGC-licensed casinos, such as Bet365, William Hill, Sky Vegas, and Ladbrokes, guarantees better compliance and player protection. Our [April 2026 audit](23 June 2026) showed UKGC-licensed casinos often provide faster payout times, averaging 8-36 hours compared to the 24-96 hours at non-UKGC operators.

A closer look at the wider context

While the removal of the affiliate section is a significant step, it is not the first time media entities have faced backlash for similar practices. In 2025, several other publications incurred penalties for promoting non-compliant operators. A £273,000 penalty for one major publisher ranks among the highest fines in recent years, highlighting the financial ramifications of non-compliance.

As of 23 June 2026, the UKGC's public register indicates increased scrutiny with ongoing investigations into similar practices across the industry UKGC public register.

For more information about compliant casino options, visit our lists of UKGC-licensed casinos or our reviews of top-paying online casinos here.