BGC Pushes Coordinated Action to Curb Illegal Gambling Expansion

The Betting and Gaming Council launched a five-point plan in June 2026 that urges government departments, regulators, technology platforms, and banks to address the growth of unlicensed gambling operations across the United Kingdom. The organisation represents approximately 90 percent of the regulated betting and gaming sector, and its proposal focuses on practical steps to reduce consumer exposure to sites that operate outside licensing requirements. The plan identifies several pressure points where coordinated intervention could limit the reach of illegal operators. It calls for the removal of advertising for unlicensed services, particularly on social media channels, and requests stronger legal authority to block access to prohibited websites and applications. Additional measures include restricting payment processing services that enable transactions with illegal platforms, introducing penalties for businesses that facilitate these operations, and applying more stringent criminal sanctions against those who run or support black market activities.

Scale of the Black Market and Projected Growth

Independent forecasts referenced in the announcement indicate that stakes placed with illegal operators could rise from £17 billion in 2025 to more than £33 billion by 2028, a figure that would represent nearly one in five of all online gambling stakes. These projections highlight the pace at which unlicensed activity is expanding relative to the regulated market, and they underscore the absence of standard consumer protections on those platforms.

Without oversight from the UK Gambling Commission, participants using illegal sites lack access to dispute resolution mechanisms, age verification systems, and responsible gambling tools that licensed operators must maintain. The Betting and Gaming Council notes that this environment increases risks of fraud and financial harm for users who may not realise they are engaging with unregulated entities.

Targeted Measures Within the Five-Point Framework

The first element of the plan centres on advertising controls, with emphasis on social media platforms where promotional content for illegal operators frequently appears. The second element seeks expanded blocking powers that would allow regulators or internet service providers to restrict access to unlicensed sites and apps more effectively. Payment channel restrictions form the third component, aiming to interrupt the flow of funds to operators that lack UK licences.

Penalties for third-party enablers, such as marketing agencies or technology providers that knowingly assist illegal gambling businesses, constitute the fourth point. The fifth element calls for heightened criminal penalties, including longer sentences and larger fines, to deter repeat offenders and organised networks. Each measure is presented as part of a broader effort that requires input from multiple sectors rather than action by any single body.

Industry Context and Regulatory Environment

The Betting and Gaming Council positions its proposal as a response to enforcement gaps that have allowed illegal operators to gain market share. Data compiled by the organisation shows that black market activity already accounts for a significant and growing portion of total online stakes, and the projected doubling within three years would place additional pressure on licensed operators who must comply with tax and regulatory obligations.

Those who have examined similar enforcement campaigns in other jurisdictions note that successful reductions in illegal activity often depend on simultaneous action across advertising, payments, and site blocking. The BGC plan mirrors this approach by distributing responsibilities among government, financial institutions, and technology companies, each of which holds different levers of influence.

Consumer Protection Implications

Participants who place bets on unlicensed platforms lose the benefit of the UK Gambling Commission’s consumer protection standards, including requirements for clear terms, fair game outcomes, and mechanisms to prevent excessive losses. The absence of these safeguards means that disputes over winnings or account balances must be resolved through foreign jurisdictions or not at all, leaving users with limited recourse.

The announcement stresses that the expansion of illegal gambling also reduces the visibility of problem gambling behaviours, because operators outside the regulated system do not contribute data to national harm monitoring programmes. This information gap affects the ability of public health bodies and treatment providers to allocate resources where they are most needed.

Conclusion

The five-point plan sets out specific areas where legislative changes, platform policies, and banking procedures could collectively reduce the visibility and accessibility of illegal gambling services. Implementation would require alignment among the Betting and Gaming Council’s member companies, regulatory authorities, and the private sector entities named in the proposal. The projections for 2025 to 2028 provide a timeline against which progress can be measured if the recommended actions are adopted.