The Betting and Gaming Council said illegal gambling operators could take up to GBP 40 million in bets during Royal Ascot. Chief executive Grainne Hurst urged policymakers to support the regulated market, while the council said unlicensed operators do not provide mandatory player protections.
The council warns illegal operators may attract bets while avoiding mandatory player protections.
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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.
Reportedly, the Betting and Gaming Council supported a DCMS consultation on prohibiting sponsorship and advertising involving illegal gambling operators. It also endorsed Entain’s call for the government to take immediate action to protect consumers.
The Betting and Gaming Council warned that consumers who switch from licensed gambling to illegal operators lose protections offered by the regulated market. It cited H2 Gambling Capital analysis estimating that stakes with illegal operators could rise from £17 billion in 2025 to more than £33 billion by 2028. The BGC called for proportionate, evidence-based regulation and periodic reviews.
The Betting and Gaming Council warned UK policymakers that illegal gambling poses consumer-protection risks. The BGC cited H2GC projections that wagers with illegal operators could rise from £17 billion in 2025 to more than £33 billion by 2028, while the report also cited NHS data showing problem gambling among 0.7% of adults in England.