The Gambling Commission has completed a series of surveys, interviews and focus groups in the first phase of its study into the illegal gambling market, finding “low levels of awareness” among thousands of gamblers that they had engaged with the black market.

The first phase of the Gambling Commission’s study into the illegal gambling market in the UK has found “low levels of awareness” among regular gamblers, with multiple respondents frequently unable to discern between licensed and unlicensed operators.

The Consumer Behaviours, Motivations, and Personas study surveyed more than 3,000 people who had gambled online in the last four weeks, and found a “disconnect” between individuals’ belief in the importance of regulation and their own gambling activity.

“Respondents showed low levels of awareness of the illegal online market, highlighted by some reporting that they had not used illegal websites whilst their responses to other questions indicated otherwise, and vice versa,” stated the report.

“This lack of understanding was also highlighted in survey verbatim responses after respondents were asked to name illegal websites they had used, with only a minority able to name an illegal website, and numerous respondents mistakenly naming licensed operators.”

Despite this widespread lack of understanding, the survey also found multiple respondents had actively sought out the black market, who were more likely to prioritise factors such as finding better odds and offers, wanting to play games that are unavailable in the UK, alternative payment methods, avoiding stake or spend limits, and lower barriers to entry such as minimal age or ID verification processes.

“For others, a key driver is the desire to circumvent protection measures such as self-exclusion. Many respondents reported that their engagement in the illegal online market is an extension of their overall approach to gambling, in which they seek out fun, new experiences, or better rewards.”

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Gambling Commission said… “Many respondents reported that their engagement in the illegal online market is an extension of their overall approach to gambling, in which they seek out fun, new experiences, or better rewards…