Report Claims Self-Excluded British Players Targeted by Illegal Market

The global illegal online gambling market is estimated to have generated approximately $50 billion (£36.89 billion) in 2025, with British players who have self-excluded being targeted, according to a report which has been flagged by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

According to the report, compiled by strategic advisory firm Fincord Intelligence, British customers who have self-excluded or wish to avoid the protections required in the regulated market have been deliberately sought after by the illegal sites.

The report highlights players received promotions for “Non-GamStop” after self-excluding via the GamStop scheme.

How players are targeted

These sites do not offer identity checks, financial checks or betting limits. The sites are said to be reaching players through search engines, social media, affiliates, influencers, Telegram and WhatsApp. Globally, around 5,000 operator structures have used more than 15,000 websites and apps, with mirror domains, VPN access and browser-based applications allowing blocked services to continue to be available.

The report suggests governments target payment services, cryptocurrency intermediaries, affiliates, advertisers, software suppliers and hosting infrastructure supporting illegal operators rather than individual websites.

The report also highlights the illegal sites are able to compete with fewer restrictions, with bonuses of 300% to 500% being offered, as well as higher advertised returns and faster payouts than those available in the regulated market. About 35% of payments in the illegal sector are made using cryptocurrency; the report says this could exceed 70% by 2030.

A spokesperson for Fincord Intelligence said:

"Illegal gambling is no longer a collection of isolated websites. It operates through sophisticated international networks of companies, payment providers, cryptocurrency services, technology platforms and affiliates.

"In Britain, these networks target customers - including people who have self-excluded - through social media, messaging platforms and mirror sites.”

Latest BGC argument

The BGC, an industry trade body, has been keen to highlight the potential growth of illegal gambling in recent times, in an attempt to stave off increased tax which could send players to the black market.

In May, the BGC referenced an H2 Gambling Capital study, which found black market stakes are set to increase from £16.6 billion for 2025 to £33 billion by 2028.

At the start of April, remote gaming duty in the UK, paid on online casino bets, was raised from 21% of gross gambling yield (GGY) to 40%. In addition, general betting duty, paid on online sports bets, is set to go up from 15% of GGY to 25% in April 2027.

There could also potentially be a rise in machine games duty (MGD), with reports suggesting this is being considered ahead of the Autumn Budget in October.

Knock-on effect

Cross-party think tank the Social Markets Foundation has previously called for MGD on Category B machines in the UK to be raised to 40% of net takings from 25%.

While this would not impact online gambling directly, there could be a knock-on effect with operators cutting their online marketing budgets to fund the increased tax burden.

Grainne Hurst, BGC Chief Executive, said:

"This report shows illegal gambling is no longer simply a regulatory issue. Illegal operators are deliberately targeting vulnerable customers in the UK, including people who have self-excluded, using social media, affiliates and messaging platforms to avoid the protections of the regulated market.

"The government must step up its efforts to coordinate law enforcement, regulators, payment providers and technology companies to target the networks supporting these operators - not just individual websites."