UK Gambling Regulator Criticizes Meta Over Illegal Casino Advertisements
In July 2025, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, faced criticism from the UK Gambling Commission regarding the presence of illegal online casino advertisements on its social media platforms. The independent regulator expressed concern that Meta appears to overlook these ads while still benefiting financially from them.
Allegations of Ignoring Illegal Gambling Ads
Tim Miller, executive director of the UK Gambling Commission, stated that numerous Meta users frequently encounter ads promoting unlicensed gambling websites. Many of these sites are not registered with the UK’s GamStop self-exclusion program, which is designed to help individuals manage their gambling habits.
Meta claimed it was unaware of these advertisements until they were brought to its attention. However, Miller refuted this, noting that Meta’s own advertising library clearly shows promoters openly advertising their exclusion from GamStop, indicating the company’s awareness.
Describing the situation, Miller remarked that these ads serve as “a window into criminality.” He stressed that if the regulator can identify these ads, then Meta surely can as well but chooses not to take adequate action. He made these comments during the ICE gaming conference in Barcelona.
Miller also criticized the sluggish response from Meta. He highlighted that the company possesses keyword detection tools capable of blocking such ads but seemingly opts to continue accepting payments from questionable operators until complaints arise.
Impact on Vulnerable Users and Wider Regulatory Challenges
The proliferation of advertising by unlicensed gambling operators remains a significant global concern for regulatory bodies. In the UK alone, the Gambling Commission has shut down hundreds of thousands of unauthorized gambling websites and issued numerous cease-and-desist orders, yet new illegal sites continue to emerge.
Miller emphasized the risks these illicit ads pose, including tax evasion and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals through fraud.
This issue is not confined to the UK. Similar illegal gambling advertisements have been detected on Meta platforms in countries where such ads are banned, including India, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Romania requested Google and Meta to block illegal gambling advertisements last summer.
Although Meta has committed to removing illegal ads when notified and suggested leveraging artificial intelligence tools to identify them, the Gambling Commission’s comments imply that the company needs to adopt a more proactive approach to fully address the problem.
