The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has launched a five-point plan aimed at tackling unlicensed gambling operators in the UK. The trade body says stronger action is needed to stop consumers being drawn away from regulated sites. It warned that the illegal gambling black market is growing quickly and could become a bigger threat in the coming years.

• The BGC is calling on government, regulators, technology firms and financial institutions to work together against illegal gambling. It says unlicensed operators offer none of the consumer protections required in the regulated market. Customers using these sites are left without safeguards, oversight or routes for complaints.
• BGC is using industry estimates underlying that black market gambling stakes could increase from GBP 17bn (ca. EUR 19.7bn) in 2025 to more than GBP 33bn (ca. EUR 38.3bn) by 2028. If that happens, almost one in five pounds wagered online could be placed with illegal operators. The BGC said the figures show how quickly the illegal gambling black market is expanding.
• One part of the plan focuses on advertising. The BGC wants social media platforms and search engines to take greater responsibility for removing illegal gambling content. Research from WARC (World Advertising Research Center) found that unlicensed operators now account for nearly half of all UK gambling advertising spend.
• BGC is also seeking stronger enforcement powers for the Gambling Commission. It wants regulators to be able to block illegal websites, remove unlicensed apps and disrupt operators more quickly. The BGC believes making these sites harder to access would help steer consumers towards regulated alternatives.
• The final measures target payments and enforcement. The BGC wants payment providers to block transactions linked to illegal operators and tougher penalties for businesses that support them. Chief executive Grainne Hurst said: “These forecasts are a wake-up call for everyone involved in protecting consumers.”

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