South Korea’s National Police Agency began an operation targeting illegal gambling at hold ’em pubs and other venues on 1 May, police said. The campaign is due to run until 31 August. Police said earlier crackdowns led to 4,843 people being charged and the confiscation of assets worth about 15 billion won.
The campaign increases enforcement exposure for hold ’em pub operators suspected of facilitating illegal wagers.
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Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), Anatel’s inspection superintendent and the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) held their first working meeting on 29 October to develop automated identification and blocking of illegal betting and online gaming sites. The meeting began implementation of a cooperation agreement signed in September; the next decision-making meeting was scheduled for 5 November.
A report commissioned by Flutter UK & Ireland and written by fraud specialist Alex Wood estimated that illegal operators account for about 9% of the UK gambling market. Wood reported that offshore sites accepted registrations using false identities and that social media, payment methods and digital wallets helped users access them.
The European Casino Association published a study by Yield Sec estimating that illegal operators accounted for 71% of the EU online gambling market in 2024. The study put unregulated gross gaming revenue at €80.6bn, compared with €33.6bn for the regulated market, and estimated that illegal operators diverted more than €20bn in tax revenue that year.
British police raided four illegal gambling venues in central Manchester. Officers arrested four people and seized more than £20,000 in cash. One suspect faces allegations including money laundering and providing illegal gambling.
Reportedly, a court has handed down four prison sentences following an operation against illegal gambling in Kaiserslautern. Authorities began the operation in July 2024.