To this day, illegal gambling networks continue to target British consumers, including people who have self-excluded from gambling, as these platforms operate through sophisticated international infrastructure. This was found in a new report from Fincord Intelligence.
The report estimates that the global illegal online gambling market generated around US$50 billion in gross revenue in 2025, with approximately 5,000 operator models being behind more than 15,000 websites and apps.
Rise of Non-GamStop Casinos
In the UK, it underscores the growth of UK casinos not on GamStop, or Non-GamStop casinos in short, which are promoted to customers who have been excluded through GAMSTOP and typically operate outside the UK legal market for online casinos. It was found that some of these sites advertise gambling without identity checks, financial checks or betting limits.
According to Fincord, illegal operators reach potential customers through search engines, social media, affiliate networks, influencers, Telegram and WhatsApp, while mirror domains, VPNs and browser-based applications allow blocked services to quickly resurface under new addresses.
The report also points to the financial incentives driving consumers towards unregulated operators. Offshore sites often advertise appealing bonuses worth as much as 300-500% of deposits, higher returns and faster payouts, while avoiding restrictions imposed on licensed operators.
Cryptocurrency Fuels Illegal Gambling
Fincord also discovered that cryptocurrency currently accounts for around 35% of payments in the illegal gambling sector, with the share potentially exceeding 70% by 2030.
The report argues that enforcement efforts should go beyond blocking individual websites. Payment providers, cryptocurrency intermediaries, affiliates, advertisers, software suppliers and hosting companies should also be targeted as part of efforts to tackle illegal gambling networks.
Previously, Interpol’s SOGA X operation during Euro 2024 also highlighted the scale of the issue and uncovered networks linked to more than US$5.1 billion in illicit proceeds and related transactions across 28 countries.
The report also looks into assessments by Ukrainian authorities that some gambling businesses associated with Russia may contribute directly or indirectly to Russian economic interests, facilitate sanctions circumvention and create wider national security risks. However, Fincord stressed that these are only analytical assessments and not judicial findings.
Furthermore, a spokesperson for the agency shared that unregulated gambling had evolved beyond individual websites into ‘sophisticated international networks’ that consist of companies, payment providers, cryptocurrency services, technology platforms and affiliates.
The spokesperson also argued that governments should concentrate on the infrastructure that often supports illegal gambling rather than relying solely on website blocking.
BGC Urges For Better Coordination
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, commented that the findings from the report showed that illegal gambling was no longer just a regulatory issue.
She discussed the targeting of vulnerable UK customers, including those who have self-excluded, through social media, affiliates and messaging platforms.
Therefore, Hurst calls on the Government to improve coordination between law enforcement, regulators, payment providers and technology companies to disrupt the networks supporting illegal operators.
The findings add to growing concerns across regulated gambling markets that blocking individual domains is insufficient when illegal operators can quickly establish replacement websites and use alternative payment and marketing channels to reach consumers.
Illegal betting threatens Premier League Market
The scope of the UK’s illegal betting market is also increasingly visible around the Premier League, with the black market expected to take up to £800 million in bets during the new 26-27 season. Estimates suggest that around £20 million could have been wagered with criminal operators over the opening weekend alone.
The volume is expected to increase by another £200 million next season, which could take illegal Premier League wagers to around £1 billion annually. A typical weekend is estimated to generate between £15 million and £20 million in bets with unlicensed sportsbooks, meaning millions of pounds are being placed outside the regulated market across every round of fixtures.
BGC warned that illegal operators offer none of the consumer protections, safer gambling standards or financial safeguards required of licensed UK bookmakers.
The development comes as the gambling industry attempts to reduce the visibility of betting sponsorship in football. Betting companies have been removed from the front of Premier League shirts from the start of the new season, while the BGC has backed government plans to prevent clubs from accepting sponsorship from gambling operators without a UK licence. The organisation has also called for a wider ban on illegal gambling sponsorship across British sport.
Limiting Advertising is Not the Solution
However, the BGC argues that reducing regulated advertising does not eliminate betting demand, potentially pushing consumers towards less regulated channels where illegal operators are already active.
The regulated sector is also facing increased tax pressure. Independent WARC analysis has found that unregulated operators account for almost half of UK gambling advertising spending, while H2 Gambling Capital forecasts that bets placed with illegal operators could almost double from nearly £17 billion in 2026 to more than £33 billion by 2028.
Hurst said illegal operators are not obliged to pay tax, fund nothing and answer to anyone. She warned that the growing black market puts consumers at risk while depriving the Treasury and British sport of revenue.
The UK’s regulated betting and gaming industry currently supports more than 109,000 jobs, contributes £6.8 billion to the economy and generates more than £4 billion in tax annually, according to the BGC.
