Bridget Phillipson has asked the Gambling Commission to examine whether Tether.bet provided or advertised remote gambling to consumers in Great Britain without a licence, and whether UK payments firm Fispay supported those transactions.

The request was reported on September 6, 2026. It does not mean the regulator has opened an investigation. The Gambling Commission has not confirmed that it is examining the allegations.

What the regulator is being asked to examine

Phillipson’s letter, sent on August 19, asks the Commission to assess two issues:

  • Whether Tether.bet or its operators provided or advertised remote gambling to people in Great Britain without the required licence.
  • Whether Fispay Ltd or another UK company provided or supported gambling services connected with those transactions without the required authorisation.

Tether.bet announced its permanent closure in August 2026. Reports said the platform had accepted deposits from British high-value customers and directed users to Fispay for deposits or winnings. The allegations have not been tested in court.

Why Great Britain’s licence rules matter

The Gambling Commission says any business providing remote gambling facilities to consumers in England, Scotland or Wales needs a Commission licence. The rule applies to companies based overseas. A licence from another jurisdiction does not replace a Great Britain operating licence.

The Gambling Act 2005 defines remote gambling as activity carried out through the internet, telephone, television, radio or other communications technology. The Commission also says unlicensed commercial gambling aimed at British consumers is illegal, even when the operator holds a licence elsewhere.

Northern Ireland is governed by a separate gambling framework, apart from limited provisions that extend across the United Kingdom. The request concerns consumers in Great Britain. It should not be treated as a finding about Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Why payment links matter

The Fispay allegation widens the matter beyond the status of a single offshore website. The Commission has warned that unlicensed operators can use payment systems, advertising platforms and business-to-business suppliers to reach British consumers.

Its published enforcement work includes referrals involving payment providers, search engines, hosting companies and online platforms. The regulator says licensed businesses must monitor relationships with partners and take steps to prevent their products or services from being supplied to illegal gambling websites targeting Great Britain.

The Gambling Commission has not said that Tether.bet or Fispay breached UK law. The current position is a request for scrutiny, not an enforcement decision.

Companies deny wrongdoing

People and companies linked to the allegations have denied wrongdoing. Fispay owner Mowbray Jackson has said the company arranged private jet travel and did not handle gambling transactions. George Cottrell has denied soliciting customers for betting businesses and has described himself as a customer of Tether.bet.

Those statements remain claims. Only a formal regulatory decision or court ruling could establish whether the companies or individuals breached British gambling law.

What happens next

The Gambling Commission must first decide whether the information justifies regulatory action. It could seek evidence, contact relevant businesses or agencies, take disruption measures, or decide that no investigation is warranted.

The closure of Tether.bet does not settle whether activity took place earlier. The key questions are whether the platform knowingly served British consumers, whether UK-based services supported that activity, and whether the evidence meets the threshold for enforcement.