Introduction to Illegal Gambling in Great Britain
The goal of using data and analytics to make gambling regulation more effective is a key part of the Corporate Strategy. One area of focus is the detection of illegal gambling websites and the collection of data to help disrupt this activity. By working closely together, the data and enforcement teams can make it difficult for illegal gambling to be offered to consumers in Great Britain.
Understanding the Challenges
Generating accurate and reliable estimates of trends in consumer engagement with illegal gambling websites is challenging. Since this activity is illegal and hidden, there are few known facts. Estimates have been made based on the best available data, with clear margins for error and caveats. The dynamic nature of the market, with websites constantly exiting and new ones replacing them, makes it difficult to estimate trends. Disruption actions mean that the most frequently used websites today are not the same as those with the highest traffic a few months ago.
Collecting Data
Data has been collected over a period of 15 months, focusing on illegal gambling websites available to consumers through search engine results and affiliate marketing websites. These sites include traditional gambling products, such as slots and betting, as well as newer offerings like crypto casinos. The methodology is still in development, and the data is an estimate, with assumptions made around Virtual Private Network (VPN) usage. Some aspects of online illegal gambling, such as apps that facilitate illegal gambling, are not fully captured by this approach.
Key Findings
One striking observation is that there is no evidence of an overall pattern of growth in the illegal gambling market. Despite claims of constant growth, sustained growth is not visible in the data. This finding should not be taken to mean that the problem is not serious, as the market still presents a risk to consumers. The goal is to use data to work harder and smarter to disrupt the market.
Improving Data Collection
Further improvements will be made to the way data is used to report trends. This will include more analysis to better understand the margins for error associated with web traffic estimates. Collaboration with licensed operators to verify the accuracy of estimates is welcomed. Collecting data over a longer period will help assess whether fluctuations are seasonal or part of a longer-term trend.
Future Plans
More will be published about the work with data later this year, including further analysis on the impact of disruption activity and exploration of the methods and challenges of estimating levels of expenditure associated with online illegal gambling. The next publication will explain more about what the enforcement work looks like in practice and the impact of targeted disruption.
Conclusion
The work to detect and disrupt illegal gambling websites is ongoing, with a focus on using data and analytics to make regulation more effective. While challenges remain, the collection of data over 15 months has provided valuable insights into trends in consumer engagement. The lack of evidence of overall growth in the market should not be taken to mean that the problem is not serious, and efforts will continue to disrupt the market and protect consumers. By working together and improving data collection, the goal is to make it as difficult as possible for illegal gambling to be offered to consumers in Great Britain.
