Rise in UK: Illegitimate Gambling Websites' Market Share Surges Threefold in a Three-Year Span
The UK Gambling Commission has taken significant steps to combat illegal gambling activities within the country. In a recent development, the regulatory body has disrupted 235 illegal gambling platforms by geo-blocking or causing enough hassle that they were taken down.
According to the Commission's Executive Director, Tim Miller, a total of 334 cease and desist orders have been issued to operators and advertisers. These platforms, many of which target individuals who are underage or self-excluded through GamStop, have been identified in numbers over 530.
During a speech at the Peers for Gambling Reform Summit, Tim Miller acknowledged that the regulator has not been able to prevent the growth of the black-market sector in the UK. However, he also noted that the Commission has flagged 45,674 URLs to search engines, leading to the removal of over 30,605 of them.
A report commissioned by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG) suggests that these illegal operators account for approximately 9% of the online sector's revenue generated from UK customers in the first half of 2025, amounting to around £379m ($511m). The report implies that affordability checks and bet size restrictions are not the main reasons for the success of these illicit operators in the UK, as previously reported.
The UK Gambling Commission has not specified the exact revenue generated by these disrupted illegal platforms. Neither has it disclosed the specific measures being taken to address the issue of underage gambling or self-exclusion breaches by these illegal platforms.
The share of revenue generated by these illicit operators in 2025 is more than triple their share in 2022, as previously reported. This alarming growth underscores the need for continued vigilance and action against illegal gambling activities in the UK.
The Commission's efforts to combat illegal gambling are ongoing, and the public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities. The fight against illegal gambling is a collaborative effort, and every report brings the UK one step closer to a safer and fairer gambling environment.
