Gambling Commission is “alive to the dangers” of the black market

The Gambling Commission (UKGC) has committed to clamping down on illegal online gambling in the UK – but not at the cost of reducing standards in the regulated market. This is according to UKGC executive director Tim Miller, who gave a keynote speech to attendees at yesterday’s Know Now conference on social responsibility for gambling operators. As the industry braces itself for enforced regulatory change as a result of the ongoing gambling act review, several stakeholders have moved to highlight the threat posed by the offshore black market. The argument – from industry bodies including the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) – is that if the proposals enforced as a result of the review are too strict, then consumers will likely flock to illegal online offerings where there are fewer customer protection standards in place. In February, a BGC-commissioned report was published that discovered 460,000 customers had gambled via a black-market site in 2020, compared to just 210,000 the year prior.

The review is expected to explore the UKGC’s regulatory remit, financial capabilities and enforcement powers and observers have questioned whether its existing funding model can provide the necessary resources required to impose a suitable clampdown on black-market operations. “The Gambling Commission is alive to this danger and regularly takes action to cut off or shut down these sites,” said Miller. “With rapid changes in technology, we know we need to be increasingly fleet of foot and may need a broader range of tools to tackle emerging risks. “We are pleased that the Gambling Act 2005 review includes a focus on the powers and resources of the commission. “Industry and others are right to flag the risks that can come from the black market, but the solution to tackling that black market is not to cease taking action to make regulated gambling safer. “We won’t legitimise poor practice at home through fear of what might be happening elsewhere. “Making gambling safer and keeping crime out of gambling are not mutually exclusive and we will continue to pursue both of those objectives rigorously,” he added.