The Gambling Commission has  published the fourth and final report in its series exploring the complex and evolving issue of illegal online gambling.

The series — launched earlier this year — set out to improve understanding of consumer engagement with illegal online gambling, the risks it poses, and the actions being taken to disrupt it.

Over the past months, the Commission has published three reports examining:

• Part 1: Consumer awareness, drivers and motivations
• Part 2: Consumer engagement and trends
• Part 3: Disruption of illegal online gambling

Today’s report — “Estimating the size of the illegal online gambling market” — explores the challenges of quantifying an activity that is, by its nature, hidden.

Understanding the challenge

The report highlights that while measuring the scale of the illegal online gambling market is essential for effective enforcement and policy-making, doing so presents significant methodological challenges. Reliable data is limited, and assumptions are often required to fill gaps — meaning that confidence in any single estimate is inherently constrained.

The Commission draws parallels with other areas of illicit activity, such as the trade in illegal tobacco, where government departments face similar difficulties estimating financial impact.

Building on progress

Although no single estimate of market size has been published, the Commission’s work to date has built a stronger evidence base and clearer understanding of both consumer behaviour and illegal operator tactics.

The series has found that:

• consumer motivations to use illegal sites are varied — there is no single driver of engagement
• some consumers are unaware that they are gambling illegally, highlighting the need for greater public awareness
• not all activity in the illegal market represents a direct loss to the regulated sector, as some consumers are self-excluded or otherwise unable to gamble legally
• there is currently no evidence of sustained growth in engagement with illegal websites where data has been collected
• a range of disruption and enforcement tactics are being deployed, supported by cross-industry and international collaboration.

A shared responsibility

The Commission emphasises that tackling illegal gambling requires a coordinated response. Efforts to measure, monitor and disrupt the illegal market will depend on continued collaboration across government, industry, digital platforms, and financial services.

Chief Executive, Andrew Rhodes said: “Illegal online gambling remains a serious threat to consumers and to the integrity of the regulated market.

“While measuring the full scale of the problem is complex, our understanding is growing — and so too is our ability to disrupt illegal operators.

"Our independent research has strengthened the evidence base, improved transparency, and underlined that progress depends on a collective effort across sectors.”

Next steps

Although this marks the end of the current series, the Commission will continue its programme of research, data collection and enforcement activity.

Updates will be provided as work progresses on this key strategic priority.