UK Gambling Commission to Strengthen Oversight of Illegal Lotteries

(AsiaGameHub) –   UK society lotteries have hit new records for two consecutive years, producing over GBP 1 billion (approximately $1.35 billion) in Gross Gambling Yield (GGY). Yet, even as the sector expands, Ian Angus, the director of policy at the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission (UKGC), stated that the regulator will crack down on unlawful lotteries.

Unlawful Lotteries Are Expanding Alongside Legitimate Ones

Data from the UKGC’s Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB), shows society lotteries are now the second most popular form of gambling in the nation. From July to October last year, roughly 17% of adults—or about 9 million people—took part in a society lottery. This places the sector ahead of general betting (which drew 10% of adults) and only behind the National Lottery, which had a 32% participation rate.

Despite the sector’s growth, Angus cautioned that illegal operators still pose a major risk to consumers. If left unaddressed, they could also harm the reputation of legitimate charitable organisations. In response, the UKGC is ramping up enforcement efforts, backed by GBP 26 million (approximately $35 million) in Treasury funding allocated over three years.

Angus noted that the funding will allow the regulator to automate critical processes. These include gaining deeper insights into the black market’s structure and activity, as well as developing Great Britain’s first national risk assessment of illegal gambling. Given that earlier this year the UKGC mentioned 2025 would bring costly reforms, the new funding will be a much-appreciated boost for the regulator.

Protecting Consumers Remains a Top Priority

Angus also touched on consumer protection, referencing the latest GSGB annual report, which found that 2.7% of the adult population scored 8 or higher on the Problem Gambling Severity Index. While society lotteries are typically viewed as lower-risk products based on statistical evidence, Angus warned operators against complacency. He stressed that those most vulnerable to gambling-related harm often engage in multiple types of gambling activities.

To assist operators in meeting regulatory obligations, Angus also highlighted the regulator’s newly launched “Licence Support” service. Following a successful pilot program in 2024, the service officially went live earlier this year, offering operators a dedicated point of contact for technical support, regulatory guidance, and faster responses to queries. In other UKGC-related news, the UK High Court ruled in the regulator’s favor in a GBP 1.3 billion ($1.77 billion) case linked to the award of the UK’s National Lottery license to Allwyn.