BGC Issues Open Letter Urging Tech Platforms to Address Illegal Gambling Operations

The Betting and Gaming Council representing around 90 percent of the regulated UK betting and gaming industry released an open letter in June 2026 addressed to major technology platforms including Meta and Google, and the letter calls for immediate steps to curb the expansion of unlicensed gambling sites that operate outside British regulations.

Grainne Hurst the BGC Chief Executive signed the letter which points out how unlicensed operators rely on social media platforms search engines messaging applications and digital advertisements to reach British consumers and these methods often extend to individuals who have already self-excluded from legal gambling services or who show signs of vulnerability.

Details of the Warning on Market Growth

Forecasts included in the letter indicate that stakes placed with black market operators could surpass 33 billion pounds within three years if current patterns continue without intervention and the projection draws attention to the speed at which these illegal activities have scaled in recent periods.

Those who have monitored digital advertising trends note that illegal operators frequently appear in search results and sponsored placements which allows them to capture traffic that might otherwise direct toward licensed providers and the situation creates direct competition with the regulated sector that adheres to strict advertising codes and consumer protections.

The Proposed Five-Point Collaborative Plan

The BGC letter outlines a five-point approach that involves technology companies working alongside government bodies regulators and financial institutions to limit the reach of illegal gambling services and the plan focuses on coordinated actions rather than isolated efforts by any single party.

• Removal of illegal advertising across social media search engines and digital ad networks
• Technical measures to block access to known unlicensed gambling websites
• Restrictions on payment processing that supports transactions with black market operators
• Enhanced enforcement actions against persistent illegal advertisers and site operators
• Regular information sharing between all stakeholders to track emerging threats

Implementation of these measures would require platforms to adjust their content moderation policies and advertising approval processes while financial institutions would need to strengthen monitoring of transactions linked to gambling services that lack proper licensing.

Role of Technology Platforms in Enforcement

Technology companies receive specific requests in the letter to take down advertisements and promotional content that directs users toward unlicensed operators and the BGC emphasizes that existing tools for detecting prohibited content could extend to gambling sites that violate British law.

Observers have pointed out that messaging services present an additional challenge because operators can use private channels to contact potential customers after initial contact through public platforms and addressing this channel requires updates to detection algorithms and reporting mechanisms.

According to data shared by the European Gaming and Betting Association similar issues with cross-border illegal operators have appeared in multiple European markets and coordinated responses between regulators and platforms have produced measurable reductions in unauthorized advertising volume in those regions.

Engagement with Government and Financial Sectors

The letter stresses that government support remains essential for updating legislation that governs online advertising and payment flows and financial institutions hold a key position because they process the deposits and withdrawals that sustain illegal operations.

Researchers from the Responsible Gambling Council have documented how payment blocking combined with site filtering produces stronger outcomes than either measure alone and the BGC letter incorporates these findings into its recommendations for multi-party cooperation.

Those who have examined enforcement outcomes in other jurisdictions report that sustained collaboration among platforms regulators and banks leads to faster removal of illegal content and reduced visibility for unlicensed sites in consumer search results.

Conclusion

The open letter from the Betting and Gaming Council sets out a structured request for technology platforms to participate in a broader effort that also includes government regulators and financial institutions and the five-point plan addresses advertising site blocking payment controls enforcement and ongoing information exchange.

Forecasts of black market growth to more than 33 billion pounds in stakes within three years provide the quantitative basis for the urgency expressed in the letter and the document highlights specific channels such as social media search engines and digital ads that currently enable unlicensed operators to reach British consumers including those who have self-excluded.