Britain is facing an illegal sports stream epidemic, a campaigning group argues, which is also exposing millions of Britons to unregulated, offshore betting firms.
The national 2024-25 report from the Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG)suggests illegal streams of sports events in Britain have more than doubled to 3.6 billion in the past three years, 89% of which feature adverts for black-market sportsbook operators.
Illegal betting fuels pirate sports streams, report claims
The report also accused the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) of underestimating the issue. Recent figures show unlicensed operators earned £379m in the first half of 2025, giving them 9% of Britain’s £8.2bn online gambling marketplace.
Ismail Vali, founder of online marketplace intelligence platform Yield Sec, which authored the report, said: “Unlicensed gambling is by far the largest and most prevalent ‘media partner’ to the criminal business of illegal streaming of sports events.
“For the first time, illegal gambling’s focus on two core audiences in Great Britain — underage and self-excluded gamblers on the GamStop scheme — looks set to shift into mainstream audiences via the gateway of illegal streaming of sports events.
“When illegal gambling becomes the commercial engine behind the theft of premium sports content, the explanation is clear: it is because crime can make money from it.”
The report comes as the UK government faces criticism for its budget proposals relating to gambling tax, with industry leaders pointing to the benefits for the illegal industry as a result.
Tax hikes risk strengthening black market, critics warn
In November last year, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves increased online gaming duty from 21% to 40%, which critics say will provide fuel for the rapid growth of unlicensed operators.
The government has said the increase was designed to raise additional revenue, strengthen funding for gambling harm prevention, and provide regulators with greater resources to enforce action against illegal operators.
However, multimillionaire former professional poker player and Labour donor, Derek Webb, believes more is needed.
He said: “We have allowed the global soft power of sport to be infected by organized criminality. Online gambling operators were irrationally permitted to stay offshore under the flawed 2005 Gambling Act, and this acceptance of offshoring enabled the theoretical excuse to justify black-market operations.
“The Gambling Commission and the Betting and Gaming Council both ignored advice concerning the black-market for many years. The Treasury has now provided funding to the Gambling Commission to enforce against illegal operators, but their understanding is insufficient.”
Parliament shines light on black-market sports betting
A debate in the commons on Thursday touched on gambling taxes for the first time since the increase was announced, with the majority of MPs backing the measures.
However, a handful of MPs raised concerns about the prevalence of illegal betting in society, which some argue could be handed a timely boost as a result of the “unintended consequences” of the budget.
Louie French, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Old Bexley and Sidcup said: “When policy decisions, including sharp tax rises, weaken the legal, regulated market – I’ve said openly before that I do not mind bashing the bookies, but I am worried about the growth of this – the activity does not stop, but moves to the illegal market.
“I’ve made that point before in the House. Evidence from abroad shows such displacement to the black-market, where there are no age checks, safeguards or accountability. In my opinion, that environment is far more dangerous for children and adults alike.”
Ten Minute Bill piles more pressure on UK gambling sector
A recent move by Labour MP Dawn Butler is to ensure local councils have direct powers to approve or deny the establishment of betting shops or gambling spaces.
The Aim To Permit act is to be replaced by the Ten Minute Bill, and will likely rein in the number of betting shops popping up on Britain’s high street.
During a debate in Parliament on Thursday, Butler reiterated her belief that the Ten Minute Bill will protect young people: “ It is not about banning gambling; it is about safeguarding. There are companies that are grooming children now to get them addicted to gambling.
“That is why we have to tackle gambling harms, not just online, but on our high streets. That is why my campaign to remove “aim to permit” from the Gambling Act 2005 is so important.”
The risks of illegal betting remain prevalent, critics of the bill argue. Consumer advocates warn that the convergence of illegal streaming and offshore betting exposes viewers to unsafe gambling products, with no age verification, no player protections, and no meaningful route for redress when things go wrong.
