Illegal operators captured an estimated share of igaming and betting activity during the recent Grand National, with up to £100 million potentially staked across the Aintree Festival, according to data referenced by the Betting and Gaming Council.
The figures suggest that as much as £40 million may have been wagered on the Grand National race itself through unlicensed channels, highlighting the scale of black market igaming activity around major sporting events. The race remains one of the most widely followed betting occasions in the UK, attracting significant participation from both regulated and unregulated markets.
Industry stakeholders have raised concerns that illegal igaming operators continue to target high-profile events, offering services outside regulatory oversight. Unlike licensed operators, which are required to meet standards including age verification, anti-money laundering controls and safer gambling measures, unregulated platforms operate without such safeguards.
The Betting and Gaming Council indicated that increased compliance requirements and operating costs for licensed firms may influence consumer behaviour, with some users potentially moving towards unregulated igaming options. The organisation noted that regulatory balance remains a key consideration in maintaining channelisation within the licensed market.
The regulated betting and igaming sector in the UK is reported to support more than 100,000 jobs, contribute billions in economic output and generate substantial tax revenues, while also providing funding to horseracing. The data highlights ongoing challenges for regulators and industry participants in addressing illegal igaming activity and maintaining the integrity of the regulated market.
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “The Grand National is one of the biggest moments in the sporting calendar, enjoyed safely by millions.
“But the criminal harmful black market will also have tried to cash in, targeting punters with illegal betting that offers zero protections.
“Rising costs and increasingly intrusive checks will only make it harder for legitimate operators to compete.
“The priority must be keeping punters in the regulated market, where safeguards are in place, rather than driving them towards dangerous illegal operators.”
