Key Moments:
- The British Gambling Commission has launched an Illegal Gambling Hub to centralize information on unlicensed gambling in the UK.
- Initial research findings highlight that illegal gambling is more common among men, younger adults aged 18 to 24, frequent gamblers, and those with high Problem Gambling Severity Index scores.
- The regulator is focusing on understanding the drivers behind engagement with illegal gambling sites and the potential impacts on the legal market.
Introduction of the Illegal Gambling Hub
The British Gambling Commission has set up an Illegal Gambling Hub to raise awareness. It also provides research, enforcement news, and guidance for spotting unlicensed operators. This move aims to assist stakeholders in recognizing and addressing issues related to illegal gambling.
Research Sheds Light on Consumer Behavior
Coinciding with the hub’s launch, the Commission released the first in a series of reports. These focus on the illegal online gambling market in Great Britain. This first report looks at consumer behavior, motivations, and user profiles. It offers insight into who participates in illicit gambling. It also shows how people reach these sites and why they use them.
Moreover, future reports will track engagement patterns, outline enforcement actions, and assess efforts to disrupt illegal operators. They will also highlight the Illegal Markets Team’s work and explain the challenges of measuring the true market size.
The Gambling Commission have launched an Illegal Gambling Hub!
😯No – not to promote illegal gambling – the @premierleague already run that one – this is to combat illegal gambling but don't tell the Premier League as it's too inconvenient. https://t.co/eqESUtEpOW
— Will Prochaska (@WillProchaska) September 18, 2025
Consumer Motivations for Accessing Illegal Sites
Research findings reveal several motivations for using unlicensed gambling sites. For example, some consumers seek better odds, while others want new gaming options. As noted by Gambling Commission director of research and statistics Ben Haden: “At a headline level, we know that the majority of gambling consumers do not engage with illegal gambling websites. We also know that those that do are largely using illegal websites alongside their usual gambling with licensed operators, to supplement their primary gambling experiences. Participation in the illegal market tends to be higher among men, younger individuals (aged 18 to 24), consumers who gamble more frequently, and those who score 8 or more on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).”
He raised particular concern around illegal operators targeting individuals who have self-excluded from the regulated market but still seek to gamble, pointing out the risks posed to vulnerable users. “Many of these consumers are at risk of, or may already be experiencing gambling harms, which can be exacerbated further by their engagement with illegal online gambling websites,” he said. ”The volume of advertising aimed at this group is significant and with over half a million consumers signed up to GAMSTOP, unfortunately there are many to be targeted.”
Awareness and Drivers Behind Use of Unlicensed Platforms
The research also identified other factors influencing engagement with illegal sites. Some consumers purposely seek out unlicensed operators to access new markets, alternative currencies, or unexplored gaming options, while others unwittingly use such platforms, motivated by the search for better odds or offers found through search engines or social media recommendations.
Ben Haden noted, ”We know from our previous research on consumer trust in gambling that consumers place a high degree of importance on regulation, and the need for gambling companies to be overseen by a regulator and held accountable for their conduct if it falls short of standards.”
He continued, “The lack of regulation and consumer protection in the illegal market is therefore clearly a concern to us. A key next step is to drill into some of the drivers in more detail and see the extent to which they may lead consumers to overlook or disregard this principle. What influence does regulatory action have on consumers’ propensity to venture into less secure gambling spaces? How much of a role do industry-led actions, such as account restrictions, play? This will be the focus of our next phase of research”.
Strategic Response and Next Steps
Emphasizing the complexity of disrupting the illegal gambling market, Haden stated that strategies should be informed by consumer behavior patterns, trust levels, and current trends in online gambling usage.
He said, ”Our ongoing work with consumers will also focus on understanding the relative size of the key audience groups that use illegal gambling websites, and how we appropriately target our resources as a result within our regulatory remit.”
Haden added, “Finally, there is a legitimate question to understand what is genuinely lost from the legal market when consumers engage with illegal websites.” he added. ”Is the spend that is taking place in the illegal market – often from those who are self-excluded or could potentially be experiencing harm – spend that we, or the industry, would want to see back in the legal market? Our work to build a deeper understanding of consumer experiences will be an integral part of addressing this question.”
Overview of Findings from Initial Research
| Key Group | Engagement Trends |
|---|---|
| Men | Higher participation in unlicensed sites |
| Young Adults (ages 18-24) | Greater involvement with illegal platforms |
| Frequent Gamblers | Increased likelihood of using illegal websites |
| PGSI Score 8 or more | Elevated risk of engaging with illegal gambling |
- Author
Daniel Williams
