New Gambling Commission survey data shows how many people use illegal gambling sites, who is most likely to, and how to check a site before you deposit.
Last updated: 7 November 2026
What the new figures say about illegal gambling sites
On 5 November 2026 the Gambling Commission published fresh estimates, using a new set of questions, of how many people use illegal gambling websites. That includes people who may not realise that is what they are doing. The figures come from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, and they were released alongside an updated data dashboard that the regulator says it will use to track trends.
The headline is reassuring at population level: most respondents showed no sign of using an illegal site. The more useful finding for anyone who gambles online sits underneath it. Among people who gambled online in the past year, the figure is several times higher, and younger adults stand out. This guide explains what the numbers mean, why the Commission cares about them, and how to check a site yourself.
The numbers at a glance
The Commission reports two groups separately: everyone surveyed, including people who do not gamble, and people who gambled online in the past 12 months.
| Used an illegal gambling website | All respondents | People who gambled online in the past year |
|---|---|---|
| Within the past 4 weeks | 0.6% | 2.5% |
| In the past 12 months, but not the past 4 weeks | 0.4% | 1.5% |
| Combined, past 12 months | 1.0% | 4.0% |
The combined row is our own addition of the two published figures. It works out at about 1 in 100 of all respondents and about 1 in 25 of people who gambled online in the past year. The Commission also says 94.4% of all respondents showed no indication of using an illegal gambling website.
These are described as initial survey estimates. They tell you about reported behaviour in a sample, so treat them as a starting point and not as a precise count of players.
Who is most likely to be using these sites
The Commission reports that engagement was higher among men than women. It also tended to be more common among younger adults, with a slightly different pattern depending on the time period:
- Past 12 months: engagement was particularly noticeable among people aged 18 to 24.
- Past 4 weeks: engagement was more evident among people aged 25 to 34.
The regulator also says the reasons people use illegal operators are varied and cannot be explained by any single factor. That matters, because it means there is no single type of player or single reason to look out for. Someone may be actively looking for an unlicensed site, or may simply have clicked a link without checking who runs it.
Why the Commission is concerned
Sue Young, the Commission’s Executive Director for Operations, said engagement looks low and stable across the population as a whole. However, she also said research suggests people who use illegal operators are more likely to experience harm. The Commission says it will keep working across government, industry, technology and financial services to disrupt these sites.
For a player, the practical difference comes down to which rules apply if something goes wrong. A site licensed in Great Britain must follow Gambling Commission requirements, including:
- Age and identity checks. The Commission says online gambling businesses must ask you to prove your age and identity before you gamble, and can’t make that a condition of withdrawing your money if they could have asked earlier.
- A route for complaints. A licensed business has 8 weeks to resolve your complaint, after which you may be able to go to an Alternative Dispute Resolution provider.
- Spending controls. The Commission’s technical standards on financial limits require gross deposit limits covering 24 hours, 7 days and 1 month.
None of that can be relied on at a site that doesn’t hold a licence. We explain the wider position in our guides to whether crypto casinos are legal in the UK and the risks of crypto casinos outside GamStop.
How to check a site before you deposit
The survey questions were designed to pick up people who may not realise a site is illegal, so it is worth making this check a habit. It only takes a couple of minutes:
- Find the operator’s name and licence number. Licensed sites normally show these in the footer.
- Search the regulator’s own register. Open the Gambling Commission public register yourself instead of following a link from the site.
- Match the details. Check that the licence is current and that the business named on the register is the one running the site.
- Treat a missing or mismatched licence as a warning. If you can’t confirm it, don’t deposit.
Our step-by-step guide on how to check a UK Gambling Commission licence covers this in more detail, and our checklist on how to choose a safe online casino covers what else to look at.
If you have already used a site you’re unsure about
Finding out that a site may not be licensed can be unsettling, particularly if you have money in an account. A sensible order of action is:
- Stop depositing until you know who is running the site and which rules apply.
- Keep records of your account, deposits, withdrawal requests and any messages from the operator.
- Speak to your bank if you think you have been deceived or a payment looks wrong.
- Get free support if your gambling is worrying you. GamCare founded the National Gambling Helpline, which you can call on 0808 8020 133, and the NHS explains the treatment and help available.
If you have self-excluded and find you are using sites that don’t block you, that is a good reason to talk to someone. It doesn’t mean you have failed, and support is free and confidential.
What happens next
The Commission says the dashboard will track trends in engagement and the effect of its work to disrupt illegal sites. It also says these findings complement recent research into why people use illegal sites and analysis of financial transaction data. Future releases should therefore show whether the figures are moving, particularly among younger adults. These are initial estimates from a newly designed set of questions, so a single set of results can’t yet show a trend on its own.
Frequently asked questions
How many people in Great Britain use illegal gambling websites?
The Commission’s initial estimates suggest 0.6% of all respondents used one in the past 4 weeks and a further 0.4% in the past 12 months. Among people who gambled online in the past year, the figures were 2.5% and 1.5%.
Which age groups are most likely to use them?
Engagement tended to be more common among younger adults. It was particularly noticeable among 18 to 24 year olds over the past 12 months, and among 25 to 34 year olds over the past 4 weeks. It was also higher among men than women.
Why does it matter if a gambling site isn’t licensed?
The Commission says research suggests people using illegal operators are more likely to experience harm. You also can’t rely on Commission requirements such as its complaints process, identity checks and financial limits at a site it doesn’t license.
How can I tell if a gambling site is licensed in Great Britain?
Find the operator’s name and licence number in the site’s footer, then search for them on the Gambling Commission’s public register. Check that the licence is current and that the name matches the business running the site.
18+. Gamble responsibly. If gambling is affecting you, visit GambleAware or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
