UKGC publishes fresh estimates of illegal gambling website use in Britain

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published new estimates of illegal gambling website use in Great Britain. Released on 5 November 2026, the findings form part of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) and accompany an updated Illegal Gambling Data Dashboard.

The estimates indicate limited engagement across the wider population but higher participation among online gamblers. The Commission says the findings will inform its work to identify and disrupt unlicensed activity.

UKGC sets out the latest survey estimates

The initial estimates show that 0.6% of respondents had engaged with illegal gambling websites during the four weeks before completing the survey. A further 0.4% reported engagement during the previous 12 months, excluding those who had used such websites in the latest four-week period.

The figures cover the whole respondent population, including people who do not gamble. The Commission said 94.4% showed no indication of illegal website use. Another 4.6% displayed limited indications of engagement, although the available evidence was insufficient to classify them confidently as users within the specified periods.

Among people who had gambled online during the previous 12 months, 2.5% were estimated to have engaged with illegal gambling websites in the previous four weeks. A further 1.5% reported engagement during the wider 12-month period, but not in the latest four weeks. This group excludes respondents whose only online gambling activity involved National Lottery products.

The distinction between the population-wide figures and the online-gambler estimates is important. The latter relates to people who had gambled online during the year and should not be treated as a measure of participation across all adults in Great Britain.

How the survey classifies engagement

The Commission's approach aims to identify probable engagement even when a consumer may not realise that a website is operating without the required authorisation. The research uses a composite Illegal Gambling Index based on behavioural indicators rather than relying only on whether respondents know an operator's licensing status.

The index was developed through a multi-phase research programme involving the Gambling Commission and Yonder Consulting. The latest report covers the first year of GSGB data, from April 2025 to April 2026. The figures are survey estimates, not a direct count of every person who has visited an illegal website. Larger samples in future waves should support more detailed analysis.

Men and younger adults show higher engagement

The findings indicate higher engagement among men than women. Illegal website use was also more prevalent among younger adults in the 12-month measure, particularly those aged 18 to 24. Among respondents aged 25 to 34, engagement was more evident in the four-week measure.

The Commission has also examined consumer motivations and financial transaction data as part of its wider research programme. These investigations indicate that reasons for engagement vary rather than pointing to a single explanation.

The demographic findings provide additional areas for examination as the regulator collects more information. However, the initial results should not be interpreted as evidence that age or gender alone determines whether someone will use an unlicensed gambling service.

Updated dashboard tracks supply and disruption

The November 2026 dashboard groups monitoring into three areas: the supply of illegal gambling opportunities, consumer demand and engagement as well as the impact of disruption activity.

For September 2026, the dashboard identified 586 illegal gambling websites accessible to consumers in Great Britain. This was 4% below the previous three-month average but 4% higher than in September 2025. The Commission also identified 97 affiliate webpages containing links to illegal gambling websites, 26% below the previous three-month average.

Four per cent of results returned for monitored general gambling terms led to illegal websites in September, 0.5 percentage points above the previous three-month average. This is a visibility indicator based on selected search terms.

The Commission reported action against 311 illegal websites in the second quarter of 2026 to 2027, up 38% on the previous quarter. Of sites with sufficient traffic data, 77% recorded lower estimated traffic after intervention. The dashboard also recorded an 18% reduction in total estimated traffic across relevant disrupted sites in the first quarter of 2026 to 2027.

The Commission cautions that these indicators do not prove that intervention alone caused traffic changes. They are developing measures intended to provide a better understanding of the illegal gambling market and the possible effects of enforcement activity.

Enforcement remains a wider regulatory priority

The findings were published alongside the Commission's CEO Briefing on 5 November, where industry representatives discussed enforcement progress and emerging priorities. Sue Young, the Commission's Executive Director for Operations, said the data would support decisions on how to protect consumers and disrupt crime.

“We want to kick crime out of gambling. Illegal gambling poses risks to consumers and tackling it is a priority for the Commission and our partners.

“While engagement with the illegal market from an overall population perspective appears low and stable from these indicators, there is a cohort of online gamblers who use these sites and research suggests those consumers who use illegal operators are more likely to experience harm.

“This new data will help make sure activity to protect consumers is informed by the best available evidence, which is why we will continue to work across government, industry, technology and financial services to disrupt crime and protect consumers.”

The publication comes amid other regulatory activity. On 23 October 2026, three individuals were sentenced after pleading guilty to cheating offences under section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, connected with bets on the date of the 2024 General Election. The case concerned confidential information about the election's timing and was separate from the illegal website research.

The Commission is also preparing new gaming machine requirements, most of which are scheduled to take effect on 30 June 2027. The measures include improved access to gambling management tools and session information on new category B machines, as well as changes to game design. An interim standard relating to gaming machine sessions is due to begin on 30 March 2027. The measures follow proposals in the 2023 gambling reform white paper.

Conclusion

The UKGC's findings offer a more structured view of illegal gambling website engagement in Great Britain. Although the population-wide estimates are low, the higher figures among online gamblers underline why the issue remains part of the Commission's monitoring work.

Combining survey data with information about website supply and disruption offers a broader basis for tracking the market. The figures still require care: they are estimates and changes in website traffic do not prove the effect of enforcement action on their own.

Further survey waves and an evolving dashboard should help the Commission identify emerging risks and assess disruption activity. Consumers concerned about their own gambling or someone else's can also seek support through GamCare.

Ultimately, the significance of this publication will depend on how effectively the regulator translates its research into practical action. Reliable data can help identify patterns and highlight areas requiring closer attention, but sustained cooperation between regulators, government bodies, technology providers and financial institutions will remain important. By developing its monitoring approach and refining its understanding of illegal gambling activity, the UKGC is seeking to strengthen consumer protection while supporting a more transparent and accountable gambling environment in Great Britain.

FAQs

What has the UKGC announced about illegal gambling websites?
The UKGC has published new survey estimates of consumer engagement with illegal gambling websites alongside an updated dashboard designed to monitor market activity and disruption measures.

When were the new UKGC estimates published?
The findings were published on 5 November 2026 as part of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain.

What percentage of respondents used illegal gambling websites recently?
The survey estimated that 0.6% of respondents had engaged with illegal gambling websites during the previous four weeks.

What does the additional 0.4% figure represent?
It represents respondents who reported engagement during the previous 12 months but not during the latest four-week period.

How many respondents showed no indication of illegal website use?
According to the initial estimates, 94.4% of respondents showed no indication of having used illegal gambling websites.

Why did the UKGC identify another 4.6% as limited engagement?
These respondents displayed some indicators associated with illegal gambling website use, but the available evidence was insufficient to classify them confidently as users within the specified periods.

How common was illegal gambling website engagement among online gamblers?
Among people who gambled online during the previous 12 months, 2.5% reported engagement during the latest four weeks and another 1.5% reported engagement during the wider 12-month period.

What is the Illegal Gambling Index?
It is a composite research measure developed by the Gambling Commission and Yonder Consulting. It uses behavioural indicators to assess probable engagement with illegal gambling websites.

What does the UKGC Illegal Gambling Data Dashboard monitor?
It monitors the supply of illegal gambling opportunities, consumer demand and engagement as well as the impact of disruption measures.

When will the new gaming machine requirements take effect?
An interim standard relating to gaming machine sessions is scheduled for 30 March 2027. Most of the wider changes are scheduled to take effect on 30 June 2027.