The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published the first part of a four-piece report on the country’s illegal online gambling scene. This opening section takes a closer look at player behaviour, what motivates them, and the different types of people who use unlicensed sites. It also goes into detail on how players come across these
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published the first part of a four-piece report on the country’s illegal online gambling scene.
This opening section takes a closer look at player behaviour, what motivates them, and the different types of people who use unlicensed sites. It also goes into detail on how players come across these platforms and the main engagement drivers.
Andrew Rhodes, chief executive of the Gambling Commission, shared in a statement:
“The illegal online market is unsafe, unfair and criminal – that is why the Commission has invested heavily in this area in recent years.To be even more effective in combatting the illegal market, it’s vital that we have both a deep and broad understanding of how it operates, and this insight is a crucial step in building that understanding in a very complex area to research.
We are determined to protect consumers and maintain confidence in the regulated sector by taking robust, evidence-led action. Since April 2024 we’ve seen a ten-fold increase in our disruption activity, and we intend to continue to work with a wide range of partners to build on this success.”
The second part of the report will be published later in September and will look at engagement levels and trends. There’s also a third section due in October, covering enforcement and disruption activity, with particular attention to the work carried out by the Illegal Markets Team. The final part, expected in November, will examine the challenges of estimating the size of the illegal online market in Great Britain.