BGC Warns Black Market Bookies Will Take £500m from National Hunt Fixtures
BGC forecasts £500m in black market bets on National Hunt racing, with £10m alone at the upcoming Cheltenham November Meeting. Illegal operators avoid all consumer protections, taxes and racing contributions. The regulated sector delivers £6.8bn to the economy and £350m to horseracing each year.
SCCG Take — Enforcement authorities must close the regulatory gap that lets illegal operators profit from racing without supporting it or protecting customers.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that black market bookies are forecast to take an estimated £500m in bets during Britain’s National Hunt season. The alert precedes this weekend’s Cheltenham November Meeting, where £10m is projected to be staked with illegal operators over three days.
The National Hunt season runs from October to April and includes the King George VI Chase at Kempton, the Cheltenham Festival in March and the Grand National at Aintree in April. The BGC issued its warning in advance of Safer Gambling Week, scheduled for 16 to 22 November.
Unregulated Operators Expand Their Share
According to reporting by iGaming Future, independent analysis by WARC found unregulated operators now account for almost half of all UK gambling advertising spend. Forecasts from H2 Gambling Capital estimate stakes with illegal operators could grow from £17bn in 2026 to more than £33bn by 2028.
Licensed operators must meet standards on age verification, anti-money laundering and safer gambling. Black market bookies provide none of these protections, pay no UK tax and make no contribution to British horseracing. By contrast, the regulated sector supports 109,000 jobs, contributes £6.8bn to the UK economy, generates more than £4bn in tax revenues annually and donates more than £350m each year to the sport.
Stronger Enforcement Remains the Priority
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “Britain’s National Hunt season is one of the highlights of our sporting calendar, but criminal gambling operators are also looking to cash in, with £500m expected to be staked on the illegal black market.
“These operators contribute nothing to British racing, pay no UK tax and offer none of the vital protections customers expect from licensed bookmakers.
“We will continue to work closely with the Government and the Gambling Commission to tackle the illegal black market, protect customers and ensure British racing continues to benefit from a strong, well-regulated betting industry.”
The BGC has repeatedly called for government and regulator action against unlicensed sites that target consumers during major racing events.
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