UKGC: 1% of British adults use illegal gambling sites
New research from the UK Gambling Commission estimates that approximately one per cent of adults in Great Britain have used an illegal gambling website within the past year.
The findings, published on November 5, form part of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain and were released alongside a new dashboard tracking illegal gambling activity and regulatory disruption efforts.
According to the regulator, 0.6% of respondents had used an illegal gambling website during the previous four weeks, while another 0.4% reported doing so within the past 12 months.
MORE: Gambling in the United Kingdom
Among respondents who had gambled online during the previous year, 2.5% reported using an illegal operator within four weeks, with another 1.5% doing so earlier in the 12-month period.
The research found that engagement with illegal websites was generally higher among men and younger adults, particularly those aged 18 to 24.
However, the Commission said its indicators did not demonstrate sustained or substantial recent growth in the illegal online gambling market.
Sue Young, the regulator’s executive director for operations, said tackling unlicensed operators remained a priority.
“We want to kick crime out of gambling. Illegal gambling poses risks to consumers and tackling it is a priority for the Commission and our partners,” she said.
“While engagement with the illegal market from an overall population perspective appears low and stable from these indicators, there is a cohort of online gamblers who use these sites and research suggests those consumers who use illegal operators are more likely to experience harm.
“This new data will help make sure activity to protect consumers is informed by the best available evidence which is why we will continue to work across government, industry, technology and financial services to disrupt crime and protect consumers.”
The regulator acknowledged that accurately measuring illegal gambling remains difficult, with consumers sometimes unaware that the websites they use are unlicensed.
The new dashboard will track consumer participation, illegal gambling supply and enforcement activity as the Commission continues efforts to disrupt unauthorised operators.
The United Kingdom boasts one of the most developed online casino and sports betting industries in the world, with the Gambling Commission often referred to as a benchmark for regulators.
