The Betting and Gaming Council published an open letter on Tuesday urging major technology companies to implement stronger measures against unlicensed gambling operators in the United Kingdom. The trade body highlighted that black market sites are increasingly using digital channels to reach British consumers, including individuals who have self-excluded.
Market Growth and Advertising Shifts
Market analysis projects wagering on unlicensed platforms at approximately £17 billion, with forecasts reaching £33 billion within five years. Advertising expenditure data shows illegal operators account for nearly half of all gambling ad spend in Britain, potentially surpassing licensed operators by 2028. These unregulated sites operate outside UK consumer protection frameworks, do not pay required taxes, and bypass mandatory research and treatment levies.
Industry Demands for Detection Improvements
The council's letter, signed by chief executive Grainne Hurst, calls for proactive identification and removal of unauthorized gambling advertisements before they reach users. The organization recommends increased investment in artificial intelligence and data analytics, alongside improved cross-platform information sharing.
"We no longer question if this problem can be addressed; instead, we question if enough is being done," Hurst stated. The BGC emphasized that structural differences between paid advertising and user-generated content should not delay implementation of detection improvements.
Regulatory Tracking and Taskforce Coordination
The Gambling Commission recently noted that rising virtual private network usage complicates activity tracking, with current estimates potentially underrepresenting hidden traffic. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has established an Illegal Gambling Taskforce to coordinate the response, scheduled to convene twice annually.