UK Gambling Commission Amplifies Crackdown on Illegal Gambling

Strategic Partnerships and High-Impact Interventions

In a recent statement at the Westminster Media Forum on May 13, 2024, UKGC CEO Andrew Rhodes outlined the Commission’s approach. “Our strategy focuses on high-impact interventions to disrupt unlicensed operators that target consumers in Great Britain, making it increasingly challenging for them to provide illegal gambling at scale,” Rhodes explained. This involves a robust collaboration with the National Crime Agency (NCA), Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to enhance intelligence-led disruptions that prevent unlicensed operators from reaching British consumers.

A notable success of these collaborations includes the elimination of illegal Facebook lotteries, achieved through joint efforts with HMRC and the imposition of £600,000 in penalties on unlicensed organizers.

Proactive Regulatory Measures to Prevent Illegal Activities

The Commission has shifted its focus towards proactive, “upstream disruptions” to catch regulatory violations before they grow into larger issues. This proactive stance allows the UKGC to intervene early in the chain of events, focusing on risk-focused actions likely to significantly disrupt illegal gambling operations. “By upstreaming our interventions, we aim to restrict access to illegal sites comprehensively and reduce the supply at scale,” Rhodes added.

Utilizing advanced intelligence and software programs, the UKGC targets websites with significant activity in Great Britain, especially those posing the highest risk to vulnerable consumers, including those self-excluded via Gamstop.

Enhanced Enforcement and Future Directions

In 2023, the UKGC’s enhanced enforcement measures were evident as it issued 452 cease-and-desist and disruption notices, leading to the shutdown of 79 online websites and 133 Facebook pages. The momentum continued into 2024, with 98 notices sent out in just the first month, resulting in 39 successful disruptions—an indicator of a substantial increase in regulatory action.

The Commission’s efforts have seen more than a 500% increase in enforcement activities since 2022, tripling the success rate of disrupting illegal websites. As Andrew Rhodes concluded, “The work to combat illegal activity is ongoing. While the current Criminal Justice Bill progressing through Parliament promises more powers, we are confident in our forward momentum.”

The UKGC remains dedicated to adapting and enhancing its strategies to combat illegal gambling effectively, ensuring a safe and fair environment for all consumers.

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