BGC Report Warns Illegal Operators Target UK Self-Excluded Customers With Sophisticated Networks
TL;DR — A new Fincord Intelligence report for the BGC estimates the illegal online gambling market at US$50 billion in 2025, targeting UK self-excluded players with high bonuses and crypto payments. It calls for enforcement against supporting networks including payment providers and affiliates. The report also flags potential national security risks linked to Russian interests in Ukraine.
SCCG Take — UK authorities need to prioritize disrupting the full ecosystem behind illegal gambling to protect vulnerable customers and address emerging financial crime and security threats.
The Betting and Gaming Council has highlighted a Fincord Intelligence report that warns illegal gambling operators are targeting UK customers who have self-excluded through GAMSTOP or seek to avoid regulated market protections.
The report estimates the global illegal online gambling market generated around US$50 billion in gross revenue in 2025. It identifies around 5,000 operator structures operating more than 15,000 websites and apps.
Methods and Risks of Illegal Operations
These illegal sites offer no identity or financial checks, betting limits, or GAMSTOP compliance. They attract users with bonuses of up to 300–500% and use social media, affiliates, Telegram, WhatsApp, mirror domains and VPNs to reach customers and evade blocks.
Approximately 35% of illegal sector transactions use cryptocurrency, projected to exceed 70% by 2030. Interpol’s SOGA X operation linked networks to more than US$5.1 billion in illicit proceeds across 28 countries during Euro 2024.
The report also notes Ukrainian authorities’ view that certain gambling businesses linked to the Russian Federation may aid Russia’s interests and sanctions evasion, posing national security risks. These are analytical assessments.
A spokesperson for Fincord Intelligence said: “Governments must target the infrastructure that allows these illegal ecosystems to survive, rather than relying solely on blocking individual websites.”
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “The Government must step up its efforts to coordinate law enforcement, regulators, payment providers and technology companies to target the networks supporting these operators – not just individual websites.”
The Enforcement Challenge
This approach shifts focus from individual websites to the payment services, crypto intermediaries, affiliates, advertisers, software suppliers and hosting infrastructure that sustain illegal operations. The findings, as reported by iGaming Future, illustrate the limitations of current blocking strategies against rapidly adapting networks.
Reporting: iGaming Future
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Blocking sites is pointless — UK must dismantle the payment rails, affiliates, and infrastructure that power illegal gambling.
This is about vulnerable customers and national security, not just market share. Illegal operators use the same tools as money launderers — crypto, mirror sites, Telegram — and targeting only domains is whack-a-mole. SCCG works across 30-plus markets; we see where enforcement works and where it fails. The BGC is right: go after the ecosystem.
- Illegal market estimated at $50B globally; 5,000 operators, 15,000+ sites, many targeting GAMSTOP self-excluders
- Crypto now 35% of illegal transactions, projected over 70% by 2030; bonuses reach 500%
- Report urges enforcement against payment providers, affiliates, hosting — not just site blocking
SCCG angle: SCCG connects regulators, payment partners, and enforcement advisors across Europe and Asia who have tackled this exact infrastructure — payment blocking, affiliate policing, crypto monitoring. We help clients build compliance ecosystems that actually close the gaps illegal operators exploit, using relationships we have in place today.
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