The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that illegal gambling operators could receive around £200 million in wagers during the FIFA World Cup, as concerns grow over the expansion of the unregulated market in the UK.
More than £1 billion is expected to be staked with licensed betting operators in Britain during the tournament. The BGC said criminal gambling websites are likely to capitalize on the event’s popularity by attracting customers away from regulated operators.
The World Cup is expected to generate significant betting activity, with around one-third of betting account holders forecast to place wagers during the competition.
Financial Checks and Black Market Risks
The BGC has linked part of the threat to proposed financial risk assessments for gambling customers.
According to its modelling, if the checks are introduced as planned, betting activity with illegal operators during the World Cup could increase by £50 million, taking the total to £250 million.
The analysis also suggests that more than 400,000 customers could face financial risk checks during the tournament, with over 50,000 potentially moving to unlicensed operators.
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “During the World Cup, millions of customers will enjoy a flutter safely with regulated operators throughout the tournament.
“But while football fans back their teams, the criminal black market will also be looking to cash in, targeting customers with illegal gambling that offers none of the protections available in the regulated sector.
“At a time when illegal operators are already expected to take hundreds of millions of pounds in bets during the World Cup, policies that make it harder for regulated operators to compete, strengthening the hand of the black market.
“The priority must be keeping customers in the regulated market, where robust protections are in place, rather than pushing them towards illegal operators.”
Growing Online Presence
Recent research cited by the BGC indicates that illegal gambling operators are increasing their visibility online.
Analysis from WARC found that unregulated companies account for almost half of gambling advertising spending in Britain. Separate projections from H2GC estimate that betting turnover with illegal operators could rise from £17 billion to more than £33 billion by 2028.
The BGC also published an open letter to major technology companies, arguing that illegal operators continue to use social media platforms, search engines, messaging services and advertising networks to reach consumers.
The letter stated that unlicensed firms target self-excluded individuals, vulnerable consumers and people seeking support.
Appeal to Technology Platforms
The trade body called on technology companies to strengthen efforts against illegal gambling advertising and improve cooperation with regulators, law enforcement agencies and industry stakeholders.
It also urged platforms to invest more resources in identifying unlicensed operators, share intelligence and provide greater transparency regarding enforcement actions.
The BGC stressed that licensed operators must comply with strict standards covering age verification, anti-money laundering controls and safer gambling requirements. It added that tackling illegal gambling networks remains essential to protecting consumers and supporting the regulated market.
Source:
“Black Market Eyes £200m World Cup Payday”, bettingandgamingcouncil.com, Jun 12, 2026
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