The British government has laid out how a new Illegal Gambling Taskforce will operate as ministers step up pressure on unlicensed betting businesses targeting UK customers.
Officials said the group will bring together regulators, payment companies, technology platforms, law enforcement agencies, trade bodies and gambling industry representatives. It will focus on disrupting financial transactions connected to illegal operators, limiting online advertising tied to unlicensed gambling, and improving coordination between organizations already involved in enforcement work.
“The taskforce aims to identify solutions to the issues identified by the taskforce and its sub-groups in relation to the facilitation and promotion of illegal gambling, particularly online,” the government said in the published terms of reference.
The taskforce will be jointly led by the Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s director of sport and gambling. While industry figures and companies will participate, the government said their identities will remain private.
“Names of specific organisations and individuals that are members will not be published,” the document states.
Officials plan to run the initiative for an initial 12 months before reviewing its structure and membership. Full meetings are expected at least twice annually, while smaller working groups handling specific issues could meet more frequently throughout the year.
Illegal gambling taskforce launched amid growing concern over black market activity
The government made clear the taskforce will coordinate information sharing rather than directly enforce gambling law. According to the framework, the group will not “direct or intervene in operational matters performed by the Gambling Commission.”
The announcement arrives as ministers and regulators increase scrutiny of black market gambling operations. Earlier this year, the government confirmed plans for a consultation on preventing unlicensed gambling companies from sponsoring British sports teams, including Premier League clubs.
Recent Gambling Commission activity has also drawn attention to growing concern around illegal betting websites. The regulator recently introduced a new reporting tool intended to help consumers flag suspicious gambling platforms more quickly, part of broader enforcement efforts targeting offshore operators.
The commission’s 2026-27 business plan said referrals of illegal gambling web addresses to search engines climbed sharply during 2025 as investigators intensified disruption work. Concerns have also spread beyond gambling sites themselves. Research shown in recent industry reporting found that nearly all illegal sports streaming websites viewed in the UK carried black market gambling advertising, exposing viewers to unlicensed operators.
At the same time, licensed betting companies continue warning that tougher regulation and higher taxes could drive customers toward unregulated alternatives. The Betting and Gaming Council recently claimed that 28% of bettors could consider illegal gambling websites if taxes on licensed operators rise further.
The government said the taskforce is expected to support cross-sector working between public and private organizations to improve disruption efforts and strengthen information sharing.
“The taskforce will bring together a range of stakeholders including gambling bodies and law enforcement to tackle illegal gambling,” the guidance said, adding that participants would work together to improve “cross-agency collaboration and enforcement work regarding illegal remote and land-based gambling.”
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