BGC Expects £40 Million In Wagers On Illegal Sites Due To Royal Ascot Traffic

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that illegal gambling operators could attract up to £40 million in wagers during Royal Ascot, raising concerns about the growth of the UK black market.

Royal Ascot is one of Britain’s biggest racing festivals and generates millions of pounds in betting turnover yearly. The BGC said events of this scale attract unlicensed operators targeting consumers interested in alternative betting options.

The warning follows similar concerns raised by Entain ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with major sporting events viewed as key acquisition periods for offshore brands operating outside UK regulation.

Research suggests illegal gambling activity continues to expand

According to the BGC, British bettors could stake as much as £40 million with unlicensed operators during the festival. This estimate reflects a trend across the UK market, where offshore operators expand despite tighter oversight of licensed companies.

Recent research from WARC found that unlicensed businesses account for around half of all gambling-related marketing spend. Separate projections from H2 Gambling Capital suggest the value of the UK’s illegal gambling market could rise from about £17 billion in 2026 to £33 billion by 2028.

Lack of safeguards leaves consumers exposed to risks

The BGC stressed that illegal operators function outside the UK regulatory framework and are not required to meet the same consumer protection standards as licensed companies.

Regulated operators must comply with rules covering age verification, affordability checks, safer gambling measures and self-exclusion schemes. Unlicensed sites do not face these obligations.

According to the council, this can leave consumers vulnerable, particularly those with problem gambling issues. Customers using illegal sites may also struggle to recover funds or resolve disputes when problems arise because they have no access to regulatory processes.

BGC urges policymakers to strengthen the regulated market

BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst said Royal Ascot remains one of Britain’s celebrated sporting occasions, with interest from bettors in the UK and overseas. She said unlicensed operators do not follow the same standards as regulated businesses and therefore fail to provide essential consumer protections.

Earlier this month, the BGC unveiled a five-point plan designed to combat illegal gambling. The proposals include stronger enforcement powers and measures steering customers towards licensed betting operators.

As Royal Ascot approaches, the council said tackling illegal gambling is a priority for industry stakeholders and British regulators.

BGC has issued a warning of increased traffic on illegal sites during Royal Ascot. The horse racing festival results in massive betting turnover, but the authority projects that around $40 million worth of wagers could be placed on illegal sites. Black market platforms target punters specifically during this captivating event.