Black Market

A staggering £4.3 billion is staked on the illegal gambling black market in the UK each year. We are launching various products with partners and sharing research insights in an attempt to raise awareness of the dangers to UK customers.

Main UK statistics on illegal gambling / the black market

Overall size of the UK illeg​al gambling market

*References at bottom of page

Market share and growth

*References at bottom of page

Who is using illegal gambling?

*References at bottom of page

Our research aims to understand

Community Care Gaming are working with a wide range of partners to build insights and an evidence base of consumer harm. Our Research Hub contains a variety of research papers, which are focused on understanding this consumer activity. These papers will evolve in 2026 and be shared at industry events and seminars. Our immediate focus is on understanding the customer journey and their motivations and the role of influencers who promote illegal sites. We will continue to collaborate to raise consumer awareness of the dangers of these activities and increase the knowledge and understanding of marketers and influencers, who may be knowingly and unknowingly promoting these sites.

In September 2025 we were commissioned to undertake an analysis of the black market, contributing to the body of evidence already available. This specific research focused on the following three aspects:

We propose to repeat this research in 24 months to understand progress and trend data of the Black Market

Research outcomes

Our analysis will focus on the these four research outcomes.

Substantive, peer reviewed, prestige research report with clearly defined and deliverable outputs and outcomes with regard to policy, consumer awareness and influencer / platform education.

Netflix quality, short documentary and social media assets to capture key findings, case studies, outputs and outcomes.Sample text. Click to select the Text Element.

An Influencer voluntary Code of Conduct and education programme, co-created with a wider range of stakeholders.

Stakeholder workshop to discuss and agree implantation of recommendations

Proposed methodology

focusing on young people (under 18s and 18-25) 

The research aims to explore how the three characteristics:

Behavioural
(i.e. gambling activity and behaviours/knowledge of influencers)Sample text. Click to select the Text Element.

Environmental
(i.e. social factors, jurisdiction, influencers’ impact and effect)

Technological
(i.e. platforms, governance and crypto enablers/prevalence) Sample text. Click to select the Text Element.

All are currently manifested in the content, across the different streaming platforms and their impact on young and vulnerable people’s behaviours.

References

References
[1]: https://www.publicgaming.com/news-archives/71-illegal-gambling/13290-5-7-billion-staked-on-uk-black-market-gambling-new-bgc-commissioned-report-reveals?utm_source=chatgpt.com "$5.7 billion staked on UK black market gambling, new BGC-commissioned report reveals - Public Gaming Research Institute"
[2]: https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/regulation/bgc-illegal-gambling-black-market/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "BGC survey predicts £2.7bn bet annually on UK black market"
[3]: https://www.gamblinguk.com/news/illegal-gambling-operators-challenge-uk-market-with-379m-growth-in-2025/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Illegal Gambling Operators Challenge UK Market with £379m Growth in 2025 - Gambling UK News"
[4]: https://www.livedealers.com/uk/illegal-gambling-in-the-uk-climbs-to-9-as-vulnerable-players-targeted/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Yield Sec Warns: UK Illegal Gambling Surges to £379M in H1 2025"
[5]: https://www.racingpost.com/news/britain/black-market-gambling-increases-by-345-per-cent-according-to-shocking-new-report-aCkcD3V4UvxE/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Black market gambling increases by 345 per cent according to shocking new report | Racing Post"
[6]: https://www.ukbookmakers.org.uk/2025/02/illegal-black-market-gambling-in-the-uk-soars-by-a-staggering-522-since-2021/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Illegal Black Market Gambling in the UK Soars By a Staggering 522% Since 2021 – UK Bookmakers"
[7]: https://www.twolittlefleas.co.uk/bingo-news/illegal-gambling-sites-in-the-uk-attract-2-7bn-annually-study-shows/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Illegal UK Gambling Sites See £2.7bn in Bets Annually Amid Regulatory Challenges"
[8]: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/37737205/black-market-bookies-boxing-day-reeves-taxes-gambling/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Illegal black market bookies set for £100million Boxing Day bonanza - with not a penny paid in tax"