Gambling Commission publishes new estimates of illegal website use

The Gambling Commission has published new survey estimates of illegal gambling website use, alongside an updated dashboard intended to track engagement trends and the impact of disruption measures.

Released on 5 November, the findings form part of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). They use questions designed to identify likely engagement with unlicensed websites, including cases where consumers may not recognise their status.

Across respondents, 0.6% were estimated to have used illegal gambling websites in the previous four weeks. A further 0.4% reported engagement during the preceding year, excluding those four weeks.

Among people who had gambled online during the previous year, the corresponding figures were 2.5% and 1.5%.

Most respondents (94.4%) showed no indication of illegal website use.

Engagement was higher among men than women and more prevalent among younger adults. Those aged 18–24 featured particularly in past-year engagement, while use among 25–34-year-olds was more evident over the recent four-week period.

Commenting on the findings, Sue Young, the Commission’s Executive Director for Operations, stated: "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.

"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."

Publication coincided with its CEO Briefing event, where industry leaders discussed enforcement progress and priorities.

The release follows further Commission activity on betting integrity, including convictions connected with confidential information about the 2024 General Election, and new gaming machine safeguards due largely from June 2027.