BGC Reveals Strategic Plan to Combat Illegal Gambling Market in the UK
Overview of the Rising Illegal Gambling Market
The UK Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has introduced a comprehensive five-point strategy aimed at addressing the rapid expansion of the illegal gambling market. This underground sector poses serious risks to players, lacking the protections found in the regulated industry.
Growth Predictions and Industry Impact
The BGC highlighted alarming forecasts from industry analysts predicting that the unregulated gambling market, valued at £17 billion in 2025, could soar to over £33 billion by 2028. If this growth continues unchecked, it means that approximately 20% of all online bets in the UK would be made through illegal operators.
Representing about 90% of the licensed betting and gaming businesses, the BGC stressed that illicit operators evade taxes, contribute nothing to the economy, and lack responsible gambling measures to prevent harm or fraud.
Every customer lost to the black market is a customer gambling without safeguards, without oversight, and without the protections that exist within Britain’s highly regulated gambling market.
BGC statement
Five-Point Plan to Suppress Illegal Gambling
The BGC outlined five critical recommendations designed to curb the influence and operations of illegal gambling providers:
- Stop illegal gambling advertisements
- Block access to unauthorized gambling websites
- Prevent financial transactions supporting illegal operators
- Hold service providers who enable illegal gambling accountable
- Implement stricter penalties on illegal operators
By urging social media platforms to cease promoting illicit gambling products, the council aims to reduce their visibility and player participation, noting that unlicensed operators currently account for nearly half of UK gambling ad expenditures.
The BGC also advocates empowering the UK Gambling Commission with enhanced authority to block illegal sites swiftly, disrupting their operations effectively even as these operators attempt to create new platforms.
Financial institutions and payment providers are encouraged to collaborate by restricting transactions linked to illegal gambling, which would significantly hinder these unauthorized businesses.
The plan calls for holding accountable those who facilitate illegal gambling through services such as advertising and payment processing, recognizing that the black market depends on a wider ecosystem to operate.
Finally, the BGC urges the government to enforce tougher legal sanctions that would deter criminals from offering unlicensed gambling services within the UK.
Leadership Perspective and Call to Action
Grainne Hurst, CEO of the BGC, warned that the swift growth of the black market demands immediate action to prevent further harm to consumers. Recent data indicates this sector could double in size within a few years, signaling an urgent need for coordinated intervention.
Illegal operators are targeting British consumers online, advertising through social media, processing payments through legitimate financial systems, and exploiting gaps in enforcement. Without decisive government and industry action, more gambling will occur in unsafe environments without protections.
Grainne Hurst, CEO, BGC
Hurst emphasized that combatting illegal gambling is crucial for consumer safety, public health, and law enforcement. She praised the five-point plan as a practical framework for addressing the root causes of the illegal market and enhancing consumer protection.
While acknowledging the establishment of a dedicated Black Market Taskforce, the BGC views this as an initial step and maintains a strong commitment to continuing efforts until the illegal gambling problem is effectively tackled.
