Gambling Commission steps up focus on tackling illegal football betting

ILLEGAL football betting activities are the focus of the UK Gambling Commission as they ramp up efforts to tackle these markets.

Chief Executive, Andrew Rhodes highlighted the importance of recognising the factors involved for why punters are being attracted to these.

And the importance of operators to do their due diligence after a gaming supplier was put under review for allegedly providing services to unlicensed operators.

These unlicensed partnerships are a worry for Rhodes who says the Commission will continues its strategy of covert test purchasing to identify any further companies linking up with illegal operators.

And he further stressed that any unlicensed partnerships could see operator’s having their licenses suspended or even revoked.

Speaking at the ‘Setting the Gambling Agenda for 2025: A Less Political Year?’ webinar, he said: “I have said before that everyone in the legitimate industry should undertake their own due diligence that their suppliers and partners are not engaged in unlicensed activity facing into the UK.

“Some have interpreted my remarks here as meaning I think the industry should be policing this rather than the regulator.

“Actually, I do not understand why anyone in the licensed industry would want to be in business with a company that is supporting illegal competition – it makes no sense to me at all.”  

On top of this, Rhodes was also quick to highlight the economic challenges the industry is facing as a whole.

Inflation is set to pose a real problem, with Rhodes adding: “If you did adjust for inflation then the relative value of gambling has fallen in recent years.”

The gambling levy will also come into force in April, meaning online operators handing over 1.1% of their gross gambling yield, while betting shops, land-based casinos, and suppliers will pay 0.4%.

The UK Government is hoping to generate upwards of £100 million, double the amount betting companies contributed last year, despite Betting & Gaming Councils concerns on the distribution of the funds.

While costs continue to rise, the levels at which punters are betting isn’t growing proportionally, leading to a potential black hole.

That despite an increase to record levels in the British gross gambling yield and a marked increase in large society lotteries which surpassed £1billion for the first time, and prize draws now only second to betting in popularity.

Rhodes added that an increase of both of those could have further implications for the National Lottery as participation continues to decline.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk