UK Gambling Commission Launches Taskforce to Tackle Illegal Gambling

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has created a new Illegal Gambling Taskforce to combat illegal gambling. The taskforce will focus on cross-agency collaboration to strengthen enforcement resources. The taskforce will run for 12 months and aim to obtain insights into illegal gambling markets and establish mechanisms to counteract unlicensed operators.

The taskforce will be chaired by the Minister for Museums, Heritage, and Gambling, and will include experts from tech platforms, payment providers, and the gambling industry. Members will be expected to take a proactive role, contribute to meetings and sub-groups, and agree on objectives and roles within their sub-groups. The taskforce will also support and deliver non-legislative solutions regarding advertising and payment services.

The UKGC has received £26 million in new funding from the Government to tackle illegal gambling over the next three years. This funding will allow the UKGC to invest in addressing land-based illegal gambling, an area that has not been seriously addressed before.