The Betting and Gaming Council has launched a new interactive online game aimed at raising awareness of unregulated gambling websites and the risks associated with black market igaming platforms.
The initiative, titled ‘Spot The Black Market’, takes the form of a quiz that asks participants to distinguish between licensed gambling websites and illegal operators. According to the Betting and Gaming Council, the game is designed to illustrate how unregulated sites can replicate the appearance and functionality of authorised platforms, making it more difficult for consumers to identify whether an operator forms part of the regulated igaming sector.
The trade body stated that black market operators do not contribute tax revenue in the UK and are not subject to the regulatory standards that apply to licensed betting and gaming companies. In contrast, the regulated betting and igaming industry contributes £6.8bn annually to the UK economy, generates approximately £4bn in tax receipts and supports around 109,000 jobs nationwide, while also providing funding to professional sport.
The launch of the interactive tool forms part of the Betting and Gaming Council’s broader public affairs and awareness campaign focused on the risks linked to unlicensed igaming websites. The organisation has previously argued that maintaining a regulated igaming environment is central to ensuring consumer protections, including safeguards related to player verification, responsible gambling measures and financial transparency.
The UK operates a regulated igaming framework overseen by the Gambling Commission, under which licensed operators must comply with specific consumer protection and anti-money laundering requirements. Through the new ‘Spot The Black Market’ initiative, the Betting and Gaming Council aims to increase public understanding of how regulated igaming differs from unlicensed online gambling platforms and to highlight the potential risks associated with black market activity.
