The UK Gambling Commission recently released a research report on the illegal online gambling market, revealing consumer awareness and usage habits of unlicensed operation sites. The report, titled "Illegal Online Gambling: Consumer Awareness, Driving Factors, and Motivations," is one of the first studies conducted by the regulatory body to gain a deeper understanding of black market gambling activities.
The study found that most consumers gambling on illegal sites were not aware that these operators did not hold a legal license. Many users expressed uncertainty about how to identify whether a site was licensed, although they generally considered choosing licensed sites very important. The report noted that no respondents stated they gambled exclusively on illegal sites, with many using them as a supplementary choice to licensed sites.
The study analyzed the main reasons consumers use illegal sites, including a wider selection of games, higher odds, and the support for multiple currencies (including some cryptocurrencies) for betting. Additionally, some users view unlicensed sites as a way to circumvent strict safety measures—such as age verification, identity confirmation, and deposit limits. Notably, gamblers in self-isolation might also use these sites to resume gambling activities before the end of their isolation period, as illegal platforms are not subject to the UK's self-isolation plans.
The report categorized users of illegal sites into four main groups: players looking to bypass self-isolation restrictions, "experts" choosing black market sites for betting in foreign currencies, "social explorers" who come into contact with illegal platforms through social media or friends, and "accidental tourists" who visit illegal sites unknowingly. The study shows that young males aged 18 to 24 and individuals with more severe gambling issues are more inclined to use unlicensed operators.
Online football betting, slot machines, bingo games, and virtual games were identified as the most popular forms of gambling on illegal sites. The commission also pointed out certain limitations of the study, such as relying on self-reported behavior data and covering only individuals who had gambled in the past four weeks.
Based on the findings, the Gambling Commission made several recommendations, the foremost being to enhance consumer education and awareness to help the public identify legal operators and understand the risks of black market gambling. Other suggestions include implementing targeted intervention measures, strengthening the regulatory review of payment methods and marketing practices, and continuously monitoring gambling behavior data.
The commission's CEO, Andrew Rhodes, emphasized: "The illegal gambling market is neither safe nor fair, and it constitutes criminal activity. We are taking action based on evidence to protect consumers and maintain their confidence in the regulated market."
