The Betting and Gaming Council has issued an open letter to major technology platforms demanding stricter measures against unlicensed gambling operators. The trade body highlighted the rapid expansion of the black market within the UK digital landscape.
Market research estimates that stakes placed on illegal sites currently reach approximately £17 billion and could rise to £33 billion within five years. These unlicensed entities operate outside UK regulatory frameworks, meaning they do not contribute to research and treatment levies or remit taxes. Furthermore, they do not enforce customer protection checks, allowing access to users who have self-excluded.
Advertising and Detection Challenges
Advertising analysis indicates that illegal gambling advertisers account for nearly half of all gambling advertising expenditure in Britain, with forecasts suggesting they may surpass licensed operators by 2028. BGC chief executive Grainne Hurst urged technology firms to utilize AI and data analytics to identify and remove these advertisements before user exposure.
"We no longer question if this problem can be addressed; instead, we question if enough is being done," Hurst stated.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport recently established a cross-body Illegal Gambling Taskforce to address these issues, scheduled to convene twice annually. The Gambling Commission recently noted that tracking illegal activity remains difficult due to increased VPN usage, with recent data suggesting the proportion of hidden traffic may exceed the previously estimated 30% uplift.