TLDR
- The UK government launched a 12-month Illegal Gambling Taskforce to disrupt payments and advertising tied to unlicensed operators.
- The taskforce will operate under confidentiality rules, with its membership list kept private.
- Unlicensed gambling stakes in the UK hit £16.6 billion in 2025, more than triple the 2019 figure.
- The group is pushing for voluntary, non-legislative action from payment providers and tech platforms.
- The move comes after the Remote Gaming Duty was raised to 40% in April 2026, raising fears of more players turning to black-market sites.
The UK government has created a new Illegal Gambling Taskforce with a clear mission: cut off the money and advertising that keep unlicensed gambling sites running. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport published the body’s terms of reference on May 13.
The taskforce brings together gambling operators, tech platforms, payment providers, regulators, and government departments. Its goal is to develop practical ways to fight the growing black market in online gambling.
There are three core priorities. The first is stopping payments flowing to and from illegal operators. The second is removing illegal gambling ads from online platforms. The third is improving cooperation between agencies that enforce gambling laws.
Illegal Gambling Market Has Tripled Since 2019
The scale of the problem is large. A May 2026 study by H2 Gambling Capital found that annual stakes with unlicensed operators reached £16.6 billion in 2025. That figure is more than three times what it was in 2019.
A separate analysis by Yield Sec, cited by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, estimated that illegal operators now control around 9% of Britain’s online gambling market.
The taskforce launch comes just weeks after the UK’s Remote Gaming Duty rose to 40% in April 2026. Industry critics have warned that the tax hike could drive more players toward unlicensed sites that don’t charge the same costs.
The Minister of Museums, Heritage, and Gambling will chair the group. The DCMS Director of Sport and Gambling will serve as co-chair.
The government has chosen not to publish the names of the individuals or organizations involved. Meetings will be held under the Chatham House rule, meaning participants can share what was discussed but cannot name who said it.
This confidential setup is designed to encourage open discussion. Payment firms and platforms may be more willing to talk about vulnerabilities and the methods used by illegal operators if they are not speaking on the record.
Still, some critics may question how a body dealing with a multibillion-pound issue can operate without the public knowing who sits at the table.
Taskforce Seeks Voluntary Action, Not New Laws
One detail that stands out is the emphasis on non-legislative solutions. Members are expected to deliver results through voluntary action within their own organizations, rather than waiting for new laws to be passed.
That means payment providers may need to change how they screen transactions. Tech platforms may need to step up how they detect and remove illegal gambling ads.
This approach depends on the willingness of the firms involved. The taskforce has no power to override the UK Gambling Commission’s decisions or direct its operations.
The taskforce is set to run for 12 months. The main group will meet twice a year, while subgroups focused on each of the three priorities will meet at least quarterly.
After the 12-month period ends, the government will review whether the body should continue. The terms of reference also allow for changes along the way, recognizing that illegal operators can shift tactics quickly.
The UK Gambling Commission’s Executive Director Tim Miller has previously criticized social media companies for allowing illegal gambling ads to remain on their platforms. The taskforce appears to be a direct response to those concerns.
Illegal gambling sites operate outside the reach of consumer protections, age verification, and responsible gambling rules. They do not pay UK taxes or contribute to safe gambling funding.
The publication of the terms of reference marks the formal start of the taskforce. Industry observers will be watching closely to see whether the subgroups can turn discussions into real commitments over the next year.
