UK Gambling Commission Targets £40m in Suspected Illegal Betting Funds
The UK Gambling Commission has referred more than £40 million in suspected criminal funds to partner agencies for potential asset freezing as it expands its campaign against illegal gambling operators.
The regulator disclosed the figures on November 9, announcing a broader enforcement strategy targeting the financial infrastructure and commercial relationships supporting unlicensed gambling websites.
The announcement coincides with the inaugural Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, running from November 9 to 13.
According to the Commission, more than 7.8 million URLs have been referred to search engines during the current financial year, resulting in approximately three million removals from search results.
The regulator has also referred more than 2,200 websites for disruption action and issued over 1,000 cease-and-desist notices.
URL referrals increased from 147,721 in the first quarter to approximately 7.7 million in the second quarter.
Sue Young, the Commission’s Executive Director of Operations, warned that enforcement would increasingly target the money supporting illegal gambling businesses.
“If you run an illegal gambling operation, we are coming after you, your business and your money,” Young said.
The regulator said its expanded strategy includes disrupting payment processing, advertising arrangements and access to gambling software and online betting services.
The approach represents a shift beyond website removals towards measures intended to undermine the commercial viability of unlicensed operators.
The Commission is working with law enforcement agencies, technology companies and financial institutions to identify suspected illegal gambling activity.
