Around £40m is expected to be wagered with illegal betting operators during this week’s Royal Ascot festival, according to estimates cited by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).
The five-day event is one of the UK’s largest horse racing meetings and attracts significant betting activity from both racegoers and remote customers. The BGC warned that unlicensed operators are expected to target consumers during the festival by offering products outside the UK’s regulatory framework.
The warning follows research from WARC suggesting that unregulated operators account for almost half of gambling advertising spend in Britain. Separate forecasts from H2 Gambling Capital estimate that stakes with illegal operators could increase from £17bn this year to more than £33bn by 2028.
The BGC said policies that reduce the competitiveness of the regulated sector, including higher taxes and increased financial risk checks, could encourage some consumers to use unlicensed websites.
According to the trade body, licensed betting operators in Britain are subject to age verification, anti-money laundering requirements and safer gambling obligations, while illegal operators are not regulated under the same standards.
The BGC also noted that the regulated betting and gaming sector supports 109,000 jobs, contributes £6.8bn to the UK economy and generates more than £4bn in annual tax revenue, while providing funding to British horseracing. It said maintaining a competitive regulated market is important in limiting the growth of illegal gambling activity.
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “Royal Ascot is one of the most celebrated events in global horseracing, generating huge excitement among racing fans both here in Britain and around the world.
“Unfortunately, major events like this also attract the attention of criminal gambling operators, who are eager to exploit that interest for their own gain.
“The illegal black market offers customers none of the protections found in the regulated sector, while making no contribution whatsoever to the sport they seek to profit from.
“As evidence continues to show the black market is growing, it is vital that policy decisions support a thriving regulated market which protects customers and helps keep gambling crime at bay.”
