H2GC projects UK illegal gambling stakes could reach £33bn by 2028
H2 Gambling Capital projected that stakes with illegal gambling operators in the UK could reach £33 billion by 2028, compared with £17 billion in 2025. The Betting and Gaming Council cited the forecast as evidence of market growth, while its chief executive Grainne Hurst warned that reduced competitiveness in the regulated market could shift customers to illegal operators.
The forecast informs UK operators and policymakers about the potential scale of illegal-market activity and its stated competitive risks.