Global Gambling Faces Crisis as Black Market Threatens Industry Integrity

_{Grainne Hurst of the BAGC attending the summit in Berlin (Image: BAGC)}

The 42nd International Gaming Summit in Berlin opened on Tuesday, June 10 with a powerful session confronting the existential threat facing the gaming industry. The "Growing Threats Posed by Illegal Gambling" roundtable revealed a shocking reality: illegal online gambling in 2024 represented an alarming 71% of total online gaming revenue across all 27 EU member states—a staggering €80.6 billion flowing outside regulated channels!

Gambling industry leaders from the casino industry, regulators, and law enforcement agencies have constantly issued stark warnings about the growing threat of black and grey market gambling on the land based and online casino industry.

Chaired by Keith Bristow, Chair of the UK’s Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group and former Director-General of the UK National Crime Agency, the roundtable brought together global stakeholders to tackle illegal gambling’s rapid expansion.

This high-level discussion brought together industry international gaming association representatives:

• Greg Brower (Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck) moderating
• Grainne Hurst (CEO, UK Betting and Gaming Council)
• Erwin van Laambert (CEO, Casinos Austria and Chair, European Casino Association)
• Bill Miller (President and CEO, American Gaming Association)

Industry Unites Against Illegal Gambling Crisis

These leaders shared invaluable cross-jurisdictional insights on collaborative approaches to combat this growing threat to the industry's sustainability, consumer protection standards, and tax revenue generation.

The message resonated clearly throughout the Berlin venue: only through unified action across borders can the industry effectively protect players, preserve regulatory frameworks, and ensure a legitimate future for regulated gaming.

Criminals Don’t Recognise Rules

Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), said illegal operators “target those vulnerable to harm, hurt the economy and threaten regulated businesses,” adding, 

“these criminal organisations don’t recognise the rules, or international borders.”

American Gaming Association (AGA) President Bill Miller echoed the urgency: “Illegal gambling is a global threat that undermines consumer protections, siphons revenue from legal operators who follow the rules, and jeopardizes the integrity of our regulated markets.”

Europe at Crisis Level and Gambling Consumers Face Grave Risks

European Casino Association Chair Erwin Van Lambaart highlighted the crisis facing Europe: “Illegal gambling has reached crisis levels across all 27 EU member states… €80 billion in illegal revenues in 2024 alone.” He warned of the “92 per cent probability of encountering an advertisement for illegal gambling products online,” posing grave risks especially to young people. The issue is not going away and it is a recurring theme in our news stories.

Historic Problem of Illegal Operators Keeps Resurfacing

In September 2024 Barry Gibson, former Entain Chairman, reinforced the dangers for consumers, noting that black market sites “mimic legitimate betting platforms” but lack oversight. He warned that players are often attracted by fewer restrictions, despite the absence of consumer protections or tax contributions to public services.

UK Tackling Operators who Target the Vulnerable

In October 2024 the UK Gambling Commission’s CEO Andrew Rhodes confirmed intensified enforcement efforts, including over 750 cease-and-desist notices and 78,000 illegal URLs referred to Google. 

Andrew Rhodes said: “Illegal operators often target those who have been self-excluded.” 

As illegal operators continue to exploit regulatory gaps and digital marketing, industry leaders called for coordinated international action to protect consumers and restore integrity to the global gambling market.