Fresh estimates on the extent of consumer engagement with illegal gambling websites have been published today by the UK Gambling Commission as part of its drive to build better evidence and disrupt illegal markets.

The new findings are a part of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) and published alongside an updated Illegal Gambling Data Dashboard which will track trends in engagement, and the impact of our work to protect consumers through disruption.

Initial GSGB survey estimates indicate: the proportion of people using illegal gambling websites among the whole population (including those who do not gamble) is low, with most respondents showing no indication of using an illegal gambling website (94.4%). 0.6% of respondents have engaged with illegal gambling websites within the past 4 weeks and a further 0.4% in the past 12 months (but not in the past 4 weeks).

Among those who gambled online in the past 12 months, 2.5% had engaged with illegal gambling websites within the past 4 weeks, and a further 1.5% had engaged in the past 12 months (but not in the past 4 weeks)

The proportion of people using illegal gambling websites among the whole population (including those who do not gamble) is low, with most respondents showing no indication of using an illegal gambling website (94.4%).

Among those who gambled online in the past 12 months, 2.5% had engaged with illegal gambling websites within the past 4 weeks, and a further 1.5% had engaged in the past 12 months (but not in the past 4 weeks).

Using an innovative set of questions to better understand if a consumer is likely to be engaging with an illegal website – whether they realise it or not – the GSGB data will deepen our understanding of consumers who engage with illegal gambling and help us identify patterns and emerging risks.

Sue Young, Executive Director for Operations, at the Gambling Commission, said: “We want to kick crime out of gambling. Illegal gambling poses risks to consumers and tackling it is a priority for the Commission and our partners.

“While engagement with the illegal market from an overall population perspective appears low and stable from these indicators, there is a cohort of online gamblers who use these sites and research suggests those consumers who use illegal operators are more likely to experience harm.”This new data will help make sure activity to protect consumers is informed by the best available evidence which is why we will continue to work across government, industry, technology and financial services to disrupt crime and protect consumers.”