Gambling Commission Issues First Study on Illegal Gambling Market in Britain : PMPMedia.io

By Arijit Roul - 20 Sep, 2025 More about the author

The research shows that most people cannot tell regulated casinos from unregulated ones.

Key Points

The first phase checked if players knew they used illegal online casinos.
Four key player groups were found, later useful for education campaigns.
Online bingo appeared as a frequent feature that players sought in illegal casinos.

The Gambling Commission, with Yonder Consulting, ran a multi-phase study on UK illegal gambling use. Results showed four groups used illegal sites: Self-excluders; Skilled Advocates seeking skills or digital coins; Social Explorers joining via networks or forums; and Accidental Tourists unaware they played illegal sites. The report stated: “Audiences show different awareness, entry paths, and reasons for illegal use.” Except for Self-excluders, most players said they used illegal sites along with regulated ones.

Why Players Turn to Illegal Gambling Sites?

Main reasons included better bonuses, access to games not legal in the UK, avoiding limits, no KYC checks, and other payment options. Popular products on illegal sites were football betting first, then bingo, slots, fruit games, and virtual gaming. No clear demographic patterns appeared, except that men used casinos more than women. The study interviewed 2,000+ people, held two focus groups of 90 minutes, and did ten one-hour deep interviews.

Gambling Insider earlier noted that many players cannot identify illegal casinos. The report also said: “Respondents showed low awareness of the illegal online market, some denied illegal use but answers later showed otherwise, and opposite cases too.” It added: “Few named real illegal sites, while many named licensed casinos wrongly.” The Commission said it will now study how influencer marketing connects with this issue. The final phase of this research ends in 2025 and will test fast reactions to new rules.