The UK Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed the power of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) to reject license applications of operators even if they satisfy the criteria set by the commission.

In a decision dated May 25, the UK Court of Appeal’s Civil Division threw out the appeal of pub retailer and brewer Greene King challenging the upper tribunal’s ruling in favor of the UKGC.

It would be recalled that the UKGC in 2014 refused Greene King’s application for bingo licenses despite being satisfied “to the suitability and competence of [Greene King], and persons relevant to the applications, to offer the proposed licensed gambling activities.”

The Upper Tribunal Judge Howard Levenson earlier ruled that the UKGC was correct in interpreting the provisions of the Gambling Act when it thumbed down the application of Greene King for bingo licenses despite stating it was satisfied with the requirements of the pub.