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AK BETS Launches New Era with UK Gambling License - Exclusive Q+A

Curragh 12-10-23.A view of trainer Dermot Weld string working on the gallops at the Kildare venue.Healy Racing
© Healy Racing Photos

AK BETS has heralded a new era after navigating to a brand new UK Gambling Commission licence and Remote Bookmaker's lincence in Ireland.

In an exclusive Q+A, AK BETS founder, Anthony Kaminskas, has revealed to irishracing.com what punters can expect.

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  • Why has AK Bets decided to strike out on its own with a brand new UK Gambling Commission Licence and a Remote Bookmaker’s Licence in Ireland?

    It's mainly due to Growth. On the 10th March 2023, when AK BETS first went online, we did so through a white-label licensing agreement. This allowed us to save on costs and didn't require us to staff various departments from Day 1 whilst we established proof of concept.

    At AK BETS, we're blessed with very high Retention levels. The customer is central to everything we do. When customers sign up to AK BETS, we find they are delighted with the Big Prices, Big Rewards, Instant Withdrawals and Rapid Customer Services. The new licence allows us the opportunity to optimise and expand further.

    What have you had to implement behind the scenes to make the change?

    In the 28 months since we began online, we've grown to a sufficient size whereby we can financially justify hiring a Compliance & Player Safety team, our own Customer Service agents, and add more bodies in Trading.

    It's fair to say the whole process has been one of the biggest challenges we've faced so far as there has been lots to learn but we're through the other side now and ready to go.

    The ability to live and die on our own decisions is important to me and our own licence allows us that opportunity.

    What can punters expect from the new AK Bets?

    On the front end, the differences will be minimal but on the back end, there has been a lot of work gone into all the key functions.

    A good example would be Customer Services. If you email some of our competitors, you immediately get a response saying someone will try to get back to you within 48 hours. The whole process to resolve issues with back and forwards can take a week. At AK BETS, we have our response times down to 30mins on email and they'll be coming down further.

    We also have a Trader Chat function where responses are immediate. Our customers love the attention, speed and respect they get from a communication standpoint

    Why should horse racing punters bet with AK Bets?

    There are two big reasons. Number one is a fair bet. In an industry where a shiny extra place often results in a quick restriction and an account closure, at AK BETS we want your business and loyalty for the long term, not just the short term.

    Number two is our pricing of Big Races. AK BETS is independently verified as consistently the Best Price on Group and Grade 1's. Our Big Prices tab for Big Events on all sports, not just Horse Racing, is loved by our customers.

    About Connor Whitley
    Connor Whitley is an experienced sports journalist who has written for the English FA, Manchester Evening News, Football Insider and contributed horse racing content to The Telegraph. He moved to Irish Racing in March 2025.