UK Illegal Gambling Taskforce Targets Black Market Payments and Advertising

The UK government has formally launched a new Illegal Gambling Taskforce. This aims to disrupt the infrastructure that supports black-market gambling operators.

The initiative will focus heavily on:

• Payment systems.
• Online advertising.
• Cooperation between regulators, licensed operators, technology companies and financial providers.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed the task force’s responsibilities on May 13. The body is expected to operate for a year initially.

Focus moves to payments and infrastructure

One of the most important parts of the new task force is its focus on the wider infrastructure that supports illegal gambling operations. It’s not about targeting individual operators.

According to the published terms of reference, a central objective will be preventing or reducing payments flowing to and from unlicensed gambling businesses.

The move is happening because there are concerns around the scale of Britain’s online black market. A May 2026 study by H2 Gambling Capital estimated that annual stakes placed with unlicensed operators reached £16.6 billion during 2025.

A separate analysis from Yield Sec, referenced by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, suggested illegal operators now account for around 9% of the UK’s online gambling market.

The task force’s second priority will be tackling online advertising linked to illegal gambling businesses. A third area will centre on improving cross-agency cooperation for enforcement activity.

Confidential structure raises transparency questions

The Minister for Gambling will chair the task force alongside the DCMS Director of Sport and Gambling. Membership will include:

• Gambling operators.
• Regulators.
• Payment providers.
• Technology platforms.
• Trade bodies.
• Government departments.

However, the government has chosen not to publicly disclose the names of organisations or individuals participating in the group. Meetings will also operate under Chatham House rules. This means participants discuss issues confidentially.

Officials believe confidentiality could encourage more open discussions around vulnerabilities and enforcement challenges. Critics, though, may question the lack of transparency of a body addressing a multibillion-pound illegal market.

The initiative also follows previous criticism from UK Gambling Commission Executive Director Tim Miller. Miller has accused social media platforms of failing to adequately prevent illegal gambling advertising.

Government seeks industry-led solutions

The published framework places strong emphasis on voluntary and non-legislative action from companies involved in the task force.

Members are expected to help develop practical solutions around advertising controls and payment screening within their own organisations. They won’t be relying solely on future legislation.

Members must “support and deliver non-legislative solutions regarding advertising and payment services on behalf of their own organisations and through facilitating action from industry.” 

Subgroups will be created to focus on each of the task force’s main objectives. There will be flexibility to bring in additional specialists where required.

The task force will meet twice a year. Subgroup meetings are expected to take place at least quarterly. Following the initial 12-month period, the government will review whether the initiative should continue.