BGC Warns of £40m Black Market Bets at Royal Ascot

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that illegal gambling operators could attract around £40 million in wagers during this year’s Royal Ascot, one of the UK’s most prominent horse racing festivals.

Held over five days, Royal Ascot generates substantial betting activity from both on-course attendees and online customers. According to the BGC, unlicensed operators are likely to use the event’s popularity to target bettors with gambling products that operate outside the UK’s regulated market.

The warning comes amid growing concerns about the expansion of the gambling black market. Research referenced by the BGC from WARC indicates that unregulated operators account for nearly half of all gambling advertising expenditure in Britain. Meanwhile, projections from H2 Gambling Capital suggest that betting turnover with illegal operators could rise from £17 billion in 2026 to more than £33 billion by 2028.

The trade body argues that measures which make the regulated sector less competitive, including higher taxation and stricter financial checks, risk pushing some consumers toward unlicensed gambling websites.

Unlike licensed operators, which must comply with requirements relating to age verification, anti-money laundering controls and safer gambling measures, illegal platforms are not subject to the same regulatory standards.

The BGC also highlighted the wider economic contribution of the regulated betting and gaming sector, which supports approximately 109,000 jobs, contributes £6.8 billion to the UK economy, generates more than £4 billion in annual tax revenue and provides financial support to British horseracing.

Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said major sporting events such as Royal Ascot often attract the attention of illegal gambling operators seeking to benefit from heightened betting interest. She stressed that unlicensed operators provide none of the consumer protections available within the regulated market and contribute nothing to the sports they profit from.

Hurst added that, with evidence suggesting the black market continues to grow, it remains important for policymakers to support a strong and competitive regulated sector that protects consumers and helps prevent gambling-related crime.