UK Gambling Commission Finds No Sustained Growth in Illegal Gambling Market

The United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released the second report in its series on the illegal gambling market in Great Britain, indicating that there is no evidence of an overall upward trend, despite increased activity observed in the latter half of 2024.

UKGC’s Newest Report States No Growth in Illegal Gambling In the UK

The report is based on data automatically collected over the past 15 months, focusing on illegal gambling websites accessible to consumers via search engine results and affiliate marketing links. Said sites offer a range of gambling products, including traditional options like slots, casino games, and sports betting, as well as newer formats such as crypto casinos.

Tim Livesley, Head of the Gambling Commission’s Data Innovation Hub, noted that although the illegal gambling market is often described as continually expanding, with definitive claims about the factors driving it, the UKGC’s data does not show evidence of sustained growth. He emphasized, however, that this does not mean the regulator underestimates the risks associated with unlicensed gambling. 

Livesley explained that the findings, which are still considered indicative, should not be interpreted as a dismissal of the issue. He reiterated that the illegal market continues to pose a threat to consumers, and the UKGC remains committed to using data-driven approaches to more effectively disrupt it.

What Are Some Caveats In the UKGC’s Report?

Producing accurate and reliable estimates of the illegal gambling market remains a significant challenge, the regulator said in a blog post about the study. Due to the hidden nature of illegal activity, verified facts are limited. The UKGC has based its estimates on the most robust data available and has been transparent about the associated margins of error and caveats.

Another key difficulty in tracking trends within this market lies in its highly dynamic nature. Websites frequently exit and enter the space, meaning that the platforms most commonly used today may be entirely different from those with the highest traffic just a few months ago. This constant turnover, often driven by enforcement and disruption efforts, makes it difficult to establish historical trends, as the dataset itself is continually changing.

The UKGC concluded by saying it intends to enhance its use of data to improve the reporting of trends within the illegal gambling market, which will involve deeper analysis to better understand the margins of error in web traffic estimates. The UKGC has expressed interest in collaborating with licensed operators to help validate the accuracy of these estimates. Additionally, it recognizes the need to collect data over a longer timeframe to determine whether observed fluctuations reflect seasonal variations or indicate longer-term trends.