UKGC study finds gamblers seek illegal sites to bypass GamStop checks

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) commissioned research into why players use illegal online gambling sites, with the report published on 20 October 2026. The study was carried out by research agency Yonder and was based on digital research, a survey of more than 4,000 people who had gambled in the preceding four weeks, and qualitative research. People who took part only in lotteries were excluded from the survey.

The researchers identified four partly overlapping player profiles. Self-Excluders said they had circumvented their exclusion through GamStop by using illegal gambling sites. Skilled Advocates deliberately choose illegal providers, have relatively little trust in licensed gambling companies and seek more freedom and favourable playing conditions. Social Explorers find new gambling sites through friends and acquaintances, among other routes; they look for attractive offers but do not always know that a provider is illegal. Accidental Tourists usually reach illegal providers without intending to, with ease of use and frustration over procedures at licensed online casinos playing a role.

Fifteen players took part in the qualitative research: seven Skilled Advocates, four Social Explorers and four Accidental Tourists. Self-Excluders were not interviewed because of possible emotional strain, and their motivations had already been examined in earlier research phases.

According to the researchers, searches for illegal gambling sites that are not connected to GamStop are an important gateway to illegal online gambling, the UKGC study indicates. The term "not on GamStop" is also used by players who do not necessarily want to circumvent their exclusion; they associate such websites with fewer identity checks, faster payouts and the ability to gamble with credit cards or cryptocurrencies. Searching for sites outside GamStop, and for providers that ask for little personal data, is most strongly associated with illegal gambling behaviour, more so than searching for better odds, for example.

Among Accidental Tourists, difficulty with payouts is more strongly associated with illegal gambling than searching for websites outside GamStop. Identity checks and financial checks at licensed providers can also frustrate players, but according to the researchers similar checks also occur at illegal gambling sites.

The interviews show that players react differently to restrictions. Skilled Advocates more often experience checks and payout delays as unjust and have less trust in gambling companies, the government and the regulator. Social Explorers and Accidental Tourists mainly regard such restrictions as an inconvenience. According to the researchers, information about the risks of illegal gambling sites could be effective mainly for the latter two groups. Deliberate users may require other measures, such as enforcement against illegal providers and addressing frustrations at licensed gambling sites; the effectiveness of these measures must be further researched.

The Gambling Commission stressed that only a small minority of gamblers use illegal websites. The research shows associations but does not prove that checks at licensed providers drive players to illegal gambling sites. The results are also not necessarily representative of all gamblers, partly because of the use of an online panel, self-reported behaviour and the limited number of qualitative interviews.

The Gambling Commission expects to publish the fourth research phase in November 2026. It will present the first four measurement rounds on illegal gambling from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, together with a technical report on the measurement method. The regulator aims to track illegal gambling behaviour better and to support future measures.