BGC: UK Illegal Gambling Market Spikes to GBP 16.6 Billion

(AsiaGameHub) –   The scale of illegal gambling in the UK has reached a new high. According to new research conducted by H2 Gambling Capital and shared by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), offshore betting has grown from around GBP 5 billion ($6.79 billion) in 2019 to GBP 16.6 billion ($22.5 billion). 

3x Higher Than 2019 Numbers

This figure represents more than three times the level seen in 2019 and has doubled within just the past two years, highlighting a rapidly expanding black market that is becoming increasingly difficult to control.

A significant portion of this growth has occurred recently, with both stakes and operator profits rising sharply between 2023 and 2025. 

Meanwhile, the share of gambling conducted on regulated platforms has declined from 97% to 92%, indicating a gradual shift away from licensed operators.

Industry groups attribute this trend to a combination of tighter regulations, higher taxes, and the growing online visibility of illegal gambling sites. 

According to separate findings from WARC, unlicensed operators now account for nearly half of all gambling advertisements targeting UK customers—a proportion expected to increase further in the coming years.

“Harmful Black Market Scaling Up”

The BGC has issued a clear warning about how increased exposure is driving more players toward unsafe, unregulated platforms. 

These operators operate outside UK law, meaning they do not pay tax, provide no consumer protections, and are not subject to the same standards as licensed companies.

BGC chief executive Grainne Hurst: “What we are witnessing is a harmful black market growing rapidly. Illegal operators are becoming more sophisticated, more visible, and more aggressive in their outreach to UK customers.”

“That should raise concerns for anyone committed to consumer protection. The message for policymakers is clear: if the regulated sector becomes more cumbersome or less competitive, customers will not stop betting—they will simply move elsewhere,” Hurst added.

The industry body has also expressed concerns over proposed financial risk checks, suggesting that unless they are implemented smoothly and with minimal friction, they could unintentionally push users deeper into the black market.

Despite these challenges, the regulated sector continues to play a vital role in the UK economy, supporting over 100,000 jobs and generating billions in annual tax revenue.