The BGC reported results from Safer Gambling Week 2025, held from 17 to 23 November. It said 153,960 account holders set 281,000 deposit limits, while operators sent 10.95 million safer-gambling messages. The BGC also reported increases in advertising investment and online impressions during the campaign.
The figures provide operators with reported measures of customer use of safer-gambling tools during the campaign.
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Fincord Intelligence estimated that illegal online gambling generated about $50bn in gross revenue worldwide in 2025. The Betting and Gaming Council said illegal operators target UK users, including people who have self-excluded, and called for action against the services that support these networks. Fincord estimated that about 5,000 operator structures control more than 15,000 websites and apps.
The Betting and Gaming Council said more than 540 betting shops had closed in Britain since last year’s Budget, with about 4,500 jobs lost. It warned that further tax increases could bring more closures and job losses; the Treasury said gambling duty rates for high-street shops had not changed.
The Betting and Gaming Council said it wants to discuss sector taxation, regulation and illegal gambling with the UK Government. The trade body said financial-risk checks should rely on accurate data and warned that unresolved concerns could drive customers towards illegal platforms; it cited 109,000 jobs, £6.8bn in gross value added and about £4bn in annual tax contributions from the regulated sector.
The Betting and Gaming Council said a report by H2 Gambling Capital warns that UK tax increases could accelerate customer migration to unlicensed gambling operators. The report projects the illegal market's share of online betting will rise from 10% in 2025 to 22% by 2031, while the planned Remote Betting Duty increase from April 2027 could add pressure on licensed firms.
The Gambling Commission confirmed it will introduce financial risk assessments for British gamblers in two stages, with thresholds higher than first proposed. The timetable remains unconfirmed, and the Betting and Gaming Council said concerns about data reliability and customer impact remain unresolved.