The global illegal online gambling market generated around $50bn in gross revenue in 2025, according to a Fincord Intelligence report published in September 2026.
Analysts estimate that around 5,000 operator structures used more than 15,000 sites and apps. Mirrors, VPNs and browser-based versions allow blocked services to return quickly. The report notes that illegal operators deliberately target players who have self-excluded through the UK's GAMSTOP system or want to avoid the checks and limits of the licensed market. They reach them through search engines, social media, affiliates, influencers, Telegram and WhatsApp.
Around 35% of payments in the illegal sector already flow through cryptocurrency, and that share could exceed 70% by 2030. Interpol's Operation SOGA X during Euro 2024 uncovered networks linked to transactions worth over $5.1bn across 28 countries.
Illegal platforms compete through aggressive terms: bonuses of 300–500% on deposit, high claimed RTP and fast payouts — things regulators rarely allow licensees to offer. The report calls on authorities to move beyond blocking individual domains and attack infrastructure instead: payment providers, crypto intermediaries, affiliates, ad networks, software suppliers and hosting. Grainne Hurst, chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said government needs to coordinate efforts across law enforcement, regulators, payment systems and tech platforms, because illegal gambling is no longer just a regulatory question — it is now a threat to vulnerable customers.
