The British Betting & Gaming Council (BGC) has issued a Royal Ascot-related warning, saying that illegal gambling operators are poised to capitalize on the event. This comes shortly after Entain issued a similar warning in relation to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Black Market Is Preparing to Capitalize on the Event
As one of the “crown jewels” of the UK sporting calendar, Royal Ascot is a famous event that attracts high volumes of betting every year. However, not all of these bets are placed with regulated companies. In fact, the BGC said that Brits are expected to wager up to GBP 40 million with illegal gambling operators during the racing festival.
The BGC said that this aligns with broader studies showing that the criminal gambling black market in the UK is growing steadily. A recent study by WARC suggested that offshore companies are responsible for roughly half of all money spent on marketing. H2 Gambling Capital, on the other hand, suggests that the illegal market could grow from an estimated GBP 17 billion in 2026 to a staggering GBP 33 billion in 2028.
The BGC emphasized that this is a serious threat and that the recent regulatory changes in the UK have only made the legal gaming sector less competitive.
The Government Should Not Undermine the Legal Sector, the BGC Says
Grainne Hurst, BGC’s CEO, commented on the matter, saying that Royal Ascot is a beloved racing event that has a huge following both in the UK and globally. Regrettably, the event is now being exploited by the black market, Hurst said.
Unfortunately, major events like this also attract the attention of criminal gambling operators, who are eager to exploit that interest for their own gain.
Grainne Hurst, CEO, BGC
Hurst added that unlicensed operators don’t play by the rules and, because of that, don’t offer the mandatory player protections that the legal market does. This is especially dangerous to vulnerable and self-excluded players.
Hurst used the opportunity to encourage regulations that support the legal market rather than undermine it.
As evidence continues to show the black market is growing, it is vital that policy decisions support a thriving regulated market which protects customers and helps keep gambling crime at bay.
Grainne Hurst, CEO, BGC
In other news, the BGC recently published a five-point plan to tackle the unlicensed gambling black market.