"The Gambling Commission posted a new senior Head of Illegal Markets role, with a 65,000 salary, as research surfaced by the Betting and Gaming Council confirmed the UK black market has grown to 16.6 billion in 2025, more than tripling from 2019. The hire arrives during a CEO transition period at the regulator and amid escalating industry pressure over enforcement resourcing."
"Speaking at the Bingo Association AGM on May 7, acting chief executive Sarah Gardner welcomed 26 million in new government funding over the next three years, saying this would allow the regulator to address land-based illegal gambling arguably for the first time in a serious way. The scale of the problem has expanded rapidly. Research from H2 Gambling Capital, cited by the Betting and Gaming Council, found the unlicensed UK gambling market reached 16.6 billion in 2025, up from around 5 billion in 2019."
"Separate WARC analysis covered by Bitcoin.com last month projected that unlicensed operators will exceed 1 billion in UK advertising spend by 2028, with illegal sites already accounting for roughly 42 percent of the country's 1.9 billion in 2026 gambling ad spend. The Commission's enforcement output has been substantial, even before the new role and funding take effect."
"The UK Gambling Commission posted a new senior Head of Illegal Markets role this week, advertising the position at a 65,000 base salary that industry observers have widely criticized as inadequate for the scope. Acting CEO Sarah Gardner welcomed 26m new government funding over three years for tackling illegal gambling. Tim Miller logged 741 cease-and-desists and 1,134 site takedowns in 2025-26."
The UK Gambling Commission has advertised a senior Head of Illegal Markets position with a 65,000 base salary. The move comes alongside new government funding of 26 million over three years to address illegal gambling, including land-based activity. Research cited by the Betting and Gaming Council estimates the unlicensed UK gambling market reached 16.6 billion in 2025, rising from about 5 billion in 2019. Industry analysis also projects unlicensed operators will exceed 1 billion in UK advertising spend by 2028, with illegal sites already taking roughly 42% of 1.9 billion in 2026 gambling ad spend. Enforcement activity has included hundreds of cease-and-desists and site takedowns.
#uk-gambling-commission #illegal-gambling-enforcement #black-market-growth #regulatory-funding #advertising-spend
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