UK Expands Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Operators

The UK Gambling Commission has expanded its enforcement strategy against illegal gambling operators. The regulator said it will no longer limit itself to shutting down websites, and will also target the payment systems, advertising channels and other commercial infrastructure that keep unlicensed businesses running.

The Commission's announcement coincided with the first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week. The regulator also listed the measures it has taken so far during this period. In the 2026/27 financial year, more than a thousand cease and desist notices were sent. The Commission also reported 7.8 million URLs to search engines, as a result of which 3 million URLs were removed from search results, and 2,200 websites were referred for blocking.

Since January, more than 40 million pounds in suspected criminal proceeds has been passed to partner agencies for possible asset freezing. The Commission continues to work with law enforcement to seize cash from illegal land-based gambling businesses. Operations Director Sue Young said the aim is to disrupt the entire business model of the operators.

Concerns about the illegal market have been raised repeatedly in the industry in recent months. Figures such as the chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, the British Horseracing Authority and Entain's chief executive Stella David have issued warnings on the issue. The Council has suggested that betting volume with illegal operators could exceed 1 billion pounds during the 2027/28 Premier League season.

Closer work with payment service providers and the role of social media platforms are also among the issues under discussion. Finland and the Philippines are seeking closer cooperation with technology companies. In the Netherlands, the trade association VNLOK has started legal proceedings against Meta over gambling-related concerns.

The Commission is acting alongside the Illegal Gambling Working Group of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The first findings of the Illegal Gambling Index, which the regulator recently introduced, show that use of the illegal market is relatively limited, but concentrated among certain groups of online gamblers.