UK Gambling Commission Urges Action on Black Market Websites After New Report

Britain’s Gambling Commission is drawing attention to the risks of black market gambling sites after publishing its first major study into unlicensed play. The regulator says most people using these platforms do not even realise they are illegal.

Good to Know

• The Illegal Online Gambling report shows low consumer awareness of unlicensed sites.
• Young men aged 18–24 are most likely to use black market operators.
• Some players turn to unlicensed platforms to avoid safer gambling rules.

Low Awareness Among Players

The new study, Illegal online gambling: Consumer awareness, drivers and motivations, found that many players could not tell whether a gambling website was licensed. While respondents generally agreed a licence was important, a large portion admitted they didn’t know how to check.

Andrew Rhodes, chief executive of the Gambling Commission, underlined the threat saying:

“The illegal online market is unsafe, unfair and criminal. That is why the commission has invested heavily in this area in recent years.”

The report listed several reasons consumers drift toward black market operators:

• More choice of games and betting content than licensed platforms.
• Better odds and offers compared to regulated sites.
• Cryptocurrency play, appealing to those looking beyond sterling.
• Lack of restrictions, with no deposit limits, age verification, or self-exclusion integration.
• Some self-excluded players admitted using illegal platforms specifically to bypass restrictions before their exclusion period ended.

Four Main Groups Identified

Researchers identified four types of players most likely to gamble with illegal websites:

1. Self-excluded players – returning to gambling by bypassing UK restrictions.
2. Skilled players – using alternative currencies or specific markets.
3. Social explorers – discovering sites through friends, forums, or social media.
4. Accidental tourists – stumbling across unlicensed platforms without realising they were illegal.

Men aged 18–24 made up the highest proportion of users, while those with higher Problem Gambling Severity Index scores also showed higher usage. Football betting, slots, bingo, and virtual games were the most common activities.

Risks Beyond Players

The regulator also expressed concern that illegal platforms may be promoted through affiliates, influencers, or cross-border advertising, making it harder for consumers to distinguish between legitimate and unsafe operators. Payment systems were flagged as another weak point, as unlicensed websites often process transactions through alternative channels.

Commission’s Call to Action

To reduce risk, the Gambling Commission recommended several steps:

1. Better consumer education to help players identify licensed sites.
2. Targeted campaigns aimed at different user groups.
3. Closer monitoring of payments, affiliates, and advertising.
4. Ongoing research to track usage trends and adapt policy.

Rhodes said:

“To be even more effective in combatting the illegal market, it’s vital that we have both a deep and broad understanding of how it operates, and this insight is a crucial step in building that understanding in a very complex area to research.”

Since April 2024, the Commission says it has increased disruption activity ten-fold, blocking illegal sites and working with partners to cut off their access to UK consumers.

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