The Gambling Commission of Great Britain has ramped up its efforts to tackle unlicensed gambling, focusing on preventing gambling-related crime. Andrew Rhodes, the Chief Executive, has outlined the Commission’s strategy, highlighting a proactive approach to disrupt illegal operators through stronger regulatory enforcement, enhanced collaboration, and advanced data analytics.
Since April, the Commission has issued over 750 Cease and Desist notices, including 259 directed at operators and 189 at advertisers. These actions reflect a significant crackdown on illegal gambling activities. In addition, over 78,000 URLs have been referred to Google, leading to the removal of 50,000 search results and the takedown of 255 websites.
Collaboration is central to the Commission’s ongoing efforts. They are working closely with other regulators, gambling operators, payment providers, and internet search companies to block unlicensed operators from the market. This collective approach has already proven effective in disrupting illegal gambling operations.
Data analytics is playing a key role in identifying unlicensed operators more efficiently. By leveraging this technology, the Commission is able to detect and target illegal activities with greater precision.
The Commission is also conducting research to gain a deeper understanding of consumer behaviour in the unlicensed gambling sector. This research focuses on why individuals are drawn to illegal gambling websites and the pathways leading them to unlicensed operators. The insights gained will inform future strategies and will be incorporated into the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) for ongoing monitoring.
Looking forward, the Commission plans to introduce new measures to address closed group illegal offerings, as well as to counter the rising trend of prize draws and competitions. Expanded partnerships with search engines, including a new collaboration with Microsoft, aim to strengthen the fight against illegal online gambling in the future.
Earlier, the Gambling Commission and the Betting and Gaming Council jointly introduced two sets of new regulations and standards for gambling companies operating in the UK.
Meanwhile, the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) has responded to a new report from Sweden’s National Audit Office, which highlights concerns over Spelinspektionen, the country’s gambling regulator.
The report criticises the regulator’s oversight, noting insufficient control over unlicensed gambling operators in Sweden. BOS welcomed the report’s call for stronger measures, including the criminalisation of all unlicensed gambling.
Currently, under Sweden’s Gambling Act, unlicensed operators offering games in English and using the Euro currency are considered legal. However, those offering games in Swedish and accepting the Swedish krona are classified as illegal.
BOS supports the National Audit Office’s recommendation for a thorough review of the Gambling Act. The association has long argued for expanding the law’s scope of application.
Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of BOS, stated: “It is unsustainable that current gambling laws allow such a large portion of the market to operate without a licence. We have consistently pushed both the current and previous governments to expand the Gambling Act’s scope.”
BOS advocates for stricter regulations, ensuring all gambling companies without a Swedish licence are barred from serving Swedish consumers. This would require unlicensed operators to geoblock Sweden.
Previously, public opinion in Sweden favoured a ban on ‘bonus buy’ games.
