Illegal US Online Gambling Hits $97.4 Billion as UK, Dutch, and Ukrainian Regulators Refine Oversight

A new report underscores the scale of unregulated online gambling in the United States. Illegal operators generated $97.4 billion in revenue in 2025, reflecting 45.2 percent growth and outpacing regulated counterparts. Total online gambling losses reached $125.6 billion, with unlicensed sites claiming 77 percent of revenue, as reported by Focus Gaming News.

Legalisation of online sports betting and casino gaming failed to curb illicit activity. Unregulated operators continued to thrive. Variations across states were pronounced, with Louisiana recording the highest ratio of unregulated play.

Regulatory and Market Developments in Europe and Ukraine

Vicky Foxcroft has been appointed the new UK gambling minister, replacing Baroness Fiona Twycross. Foxcroft will oversee implementation of reforms in the 2023 Gambling White Paper. She previously backed bans on credit card gambling and blocking transactions by problem gamblers. The Betting and Gaming Council welcomed the appointment and stressed the need for evidence-led regulation.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed plans to abolish the “aim to permit” rule for gambling venues. The change gives local councils more power to block new betting shops and adult gaming centres. Burnham also signaled new planning requirements for 24-hour adult gaming centres.

The Dutch iGaming market approaches its five-year anniversary. First licenses from the October 2021 launch expire on October 1, 2026. Operators including Holland Casino, Bingoal, TOTO Online, BetCity, bet365, Kansino, and Fair Play are completing renewals. The market has introduced bans on role models in advertising, restrictions on untargeted ads, and higher gambling tax rates.

In Ukraine, a survey commissioned by the Ministry of Digital Transformation found 86 percent of online casino players prefer licensed operators. The research, conducted between May 19 and June 26 with 2,676 respondents, shows progress since legalisation in 2020. PlayCity’s first annual report recorded the issuance of 250 licences and actions against illegal gambling. Mobile has become the dominant channel in igaming, driving shorter, more frequent sessions and requiring games designed specifically for the platform rather than adapted from desktop.

The coverage effectively surfaces these disconnected stories but underemphasizes the practical steps licensed operators must take to offset the convenience and anonymity illegal sites offer while absorbing rising compliance costs.

What These Trends Signal for Licensed Operators

The data confirm that player preference for regulated platforms can be earned, as the Ukraine survey demonstrates, yet this edge erodes without continuous mobile optimization and visible responsible-gaming features. Operators facing the UK’s stricter venue controls and the Netherlands’ elevated taxes should treat enforcement signals as immediate product and marketing constraints. Those who align user experience improvements with the specific regulatory demands in each jurisdiction will be best positioned to convert preference into durable revenue share.

Reporting: Focus Gaming News

Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.