Gambling Commission targets illegal operators’ funds and business models
Enforcement & compliance1 min read
Source: UKGC
The Gambling Commission is expanding its action against illegal gambling in Great Britain to target operators’ money, assets, payments, advertising and access to games and sportsbooks. Since January, it has referred more than £40 million in suspected criminal funds to partner agencies for possible asset freezing and reported 1,000-plus cease-and-desist notices in 2026/27 so far.
The Gambling Commission is widening its crackdown on illegal gambling to reach the finances, assets and business models behind operators, beyond disrupting websites. Since January, it has passed over £40 million in suspected criminal funds to partner agencies for possible asset freezes, according to Sue Young, executive director of operations.
The approach also targets illegal operators' payments, advertising and access to games and sportsbooks, Young said. Work with law enforcement continues to confiscate cash from illegal physical gambling operations.
The Commission plans to keep working with law enforcement, gambling businesses, technology firms and finance providers to find and disrupt illegal gambling. Broader cooperation covers sharing intelligence, reporting early, supporting data and evidence, strategic engagement and protecting consumers. New Gambling Survey for Great Britain findings and a revised illegal gambling dashboard were published last week, providing evidence for enforcement and tracking disruption in illegal markets.