The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has issued an open letter calling on major technology companies to take further action against illegal gambling operators targeting consumers in Britain.
Signed by BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst, the letter states that unlicensed gambling websites are using social media platforms, search engines, messaging services and digital advertising networks to reach UK consumers, including individuals who have self-excluded from gambling or are seeking support.
The intervention follows comments made earlier this year by Gambling Commission Executive Director Tim Miller, who warned that advertising for illegal gambling operators, including sites promoted as “not on GamStop”, continues to appear online.
According to the BGC, operators outside the UK regulatory framework do not hold Gambling Commission licences, are not subject to the same customer protection requirements, do not contribute through the statutory levy and do not pay UK tax.
The trade body cited analysis from WARC suggesting that illegal operators account for almost half of gambling advertising spend in Britain and could exceed the regulated sector by 2028. It also referenced forecasts from H2 Gambling Capital estimating that stakes with black market operators could increase from £17bn to £33bn by 2028.
In its letter, the BGC called on technology companies to identify and remove illegal gambling advertising, dedicate more resources to disrupting unlicensed operators, improve cooperation with regulators and law enforcement agencies, increase transparency around enforcement activity and work collectively to reduce consumer exposure to illegal gambling sites.
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “The harmful black market is growing at an alarming rate, and illegal operators are exploiting online platforms to target British consumers.
“Technology companies have some of the most advanced tools, data and expertise in the world. The question is no longer whether this problem can be addressed, but whether enough is being done.
“Every consumer drawn towards an illegal operator is being pulled away from the protections of the regulated market.
“We are calling on technology platforms to match the scale of the threat with the scale of their response.”
