October 22, 2024 3 min read

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UKGC Reiterates Plan to Fight Unlicensed Gambling

While combatting illegal gambling in the country remains a priority for the Gambling Commission, the regulator also pointed to the importance of implementing meaningful changes to the regulations of the sector

This week the Gambling Commission (GC), the gambling regulator in the UK, confirmed it initiated the first comprehensive study of the black market in the country. The key effort seeks to deliver invaluable insights regarding the unlicensed sector which can in turn help improve the regulations in the country. In light of the study launch, the Commission’s chief executive, Andrew Rhodes, shared details regarding the ongoing battle with unlawful gambling.

The GC Progressed Significantly in the Combat Against Illegal Gambling

The executive described his views in a written statement released by the GC, pointing to the ongoing challenges and progress the regulator has made. Notably, Rhodes pointed to the extensive efforts of the Commission to reduce the share of illegal gambling and prevent access to such providers. He reaffirmed the GC’s dedication to combatting unlawful gambling and outlined that in the last few years, the regulator has increased its resources required for this particular fight.

Notably, Rhodes pointed to the GC’s recent efforts which covered the period since the start of April. For that time, the regulated issued more than 750 cease and desist and disruption notices. The number includes 189 notes to advertisers and 259 cease-and-desist letters to operators. In the fight against unlawful gambling, the GC collaborated with operators, regulators from other jurisdictions and other relevant parties, including internet service providers and financial institutions.

The decisive actions of the regulator referred more than 78,000 illegal gambling URLs to Google. Of that total, 50,000 have been removed, while 255 unlicensed gambling websites were taken down. Those figures pointed to an increase of more than ten times when compared to the URLs taken down throughout the whole of 2023 and the start of 2024.

We are committed to making it difficult to provide illegal gambling at scale to consumers in Great Britain. Over the last couple of years at the Commission we have increased the resources we dedicate to tackling it.

Andrew Rhodes, chief executive at the Gambling Commission

The Regulator Must Avoid “Unintended Consequence of Increased Use of Unlicensed Operators”

According to Rhodes, the changes to the gambling framework in the country may impact the channelization rates of the legal sector. However, he said that this shouldn’t deter lawmakers from implementing effective solutions that protect consumers and address real problems and challenges. Instead, Rhodes said that the Commission “must also ensure that we avoid any unintended consequence of increased use of unlicensed operators.”

The chief executive pointed to the importance of combating unlicensed gambling as a way to decrease harm. Pointing to research, Rhodes said that some illegal gambling operators target specifically self-excluded individuals. “Those targeted are sometimes vulnerable customers – but they have been given a route back to gambling by unlicensed operators,” he added.

The chief executive thanked the stakeholders, regulators and industry bodies that help the UK gambling regulator in its vital work. Finally, amid the changes to the gambling regulations, Rhodes encouraged experts and organizations who have relevant statistical and research data to send their feedback.

Journalist

Jerome is a welcome new addition to the Gambling News team, bringing years of journalistic experience within the iGaming sector. His interest in the industry begun after he graduated from college where he played in regular local poker tournaments which eventually lead to exposure towards the growing popularity of online poker and casino rooms. Jerome now puts all the knowledge he's accrued to fuel his passion for journalism, providing our team with the latest scoops online.

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