Study: British Gamblers Place Billions on Illegal Market

According to a study by the British Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), over 1.5 million Britons gamble through illegal operators annually, spending over €3 billion. The unlicensed options are easily accessible, leading to tax losses of €388 million.

Facts on Illegal Gambling in the UK

• 1.5 million Britons engage in illegal gambling yearly.
• €3.1 billion is wagered on illegal sites.
• €388 million in tax revenue is lost.
• Young players are at risk due to targeted social media advertising.
• Despite regulations, black market users grew between 2020-2021.

Ineffectiveness of Current Measures

Recent government efforts, like banning credit card use for gambling, have had minimal impact on player behavior. Illegal gambling users in the UK actually increased from 2020 to 2021.

Criticism from BGC

Grainne Hurst, BGC’s CEO, warned about underestimating the black market issue. Simply empowering the Gambling Commission won’t suffice, as stricter regulations may drive more to illegal operators.

Regulation Dilemma

Balancing effective regulation and combating the rising black market poses a challenge. While advocates push for stronger rules, the BGC warns against overregulation’s negative repercussions.

Government Response

The government has taken action by issuing over 750 cease and desist orders since April and reporting over 78,000 URLs to Google, resulting in 50,000 removals.