Government and Gambling Commission pledge to step up fight against illegal bookmakers as threat from black market grows
The UK government and Gambling Commission are intensifying efforts to combat illegal bookmakers driven by social media and concerns over affordability checks.Summary
The UK government and Gambling Commission have vowed to increase their crackdown on illegal bookmakers, spurred by an investigation revealing the role of social media platforms and online influencers in directing customers to the black market. Concerns were raised by bookmaker Ben Keith regarding the ineffectiveness of pilot affordability checks. A government advisor, Alex Wood, demonstrated the ease of signing up with unlicensed operators using false information, even impersonating prominent figures and a child. The Gambling Commission received an additional £26 million in November to address this issue, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport affirmed its commitment to protecting consumers online, particularly through the Online Safety Act. Illegal operators pose risks including tax evasion, lack of player protection, and potential data misuse. The Commission is employing measures like IP blocking, but the threat is escalating due to tax increases and potential affordability checks, which may push more punters towards the black market. Industry figures warn that flawed affordability checks could harm the betting industry and racing.
(Source：Racing Post)