As hard to believe as it may be, there was once a time where online casinos, sportsbooks, and bookmakers, were not a thing. If you wanted to place a bet, be it on the horses, the dogs, the big fight, or the local football derby, you had to get off your backside and make your way down to your local bookies. Sounds like a lot of effort now, right?
Thankfully (in most people’s eyes at least) times have changed and technology has now brought the world of betting to our homes. First came the internet, which in itself was a game changer, then came mobile betting, and now, betting apps.
Betting apps streamline the betting process even further, and whilst they’re designed to be user-friendly, with customer convenience and satisfaction in mind, unfortunately there are a few bad apples amongst the bunch. Namely, illegal offshore black market betting apps.
Within the UK the UK Gambling Commission is tasked with combating this and while the majority of the best mobile betting sites are registered with them, through social media you can find rogue actors.
Black Market Operators Ramping Up Illegal Marketing Activity
Over the last several months, stakeholders in the licenced gambling sector have reported a sharp increase in the number of black market operators running increasingly aggressive, and very illegal, marketing campaigns in a bid to lure punters over to the dark side, as it were.
Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, sorry *X, and TikTok for example, have been “infested by illicit gambling ads in one form or another”. So much so in fact, that most people simply turn a blind eye to them. They see these ads, often riddled with AI slop, and although it’s obvious they’re not from legitimate bookmakers, they simply shrug their shoulders and accept it.
This problem has become especially prominent in the UK. Even Google, which is supposed to be the be-all and end-all of marketing, advertising, and searching, has hosted illegal ads from illegal black market operators, albeit against their knowledge.
Clearly, something needs to be done, particularly where big tech is concerned. In a recent interview, the UKGC’s Tim Miller went on record to vent his frustration at the lack of action being taken by big tech firms. He spoke of how these tech giants are essential when it comes to tackling black market operators, and how they must play their part in helping to bring down illicit operators.
Google in particular, aren’t playing their part. Whilst the Gamstop scheme was implemented to help curb problem gambling and protect gambling site customers, people can simply head onto Google, search for ‘non Gamstop Casinos’ or something similar, and be met with countless results for unlicenced and unregulated gambling operators.
The Risks of Black Market Betting Apps
To some, using an unlicenced black market betting app located somewhere offshore, is no big deal. The truth of the matter, is that illegal black market betting apps put customers in incredibly vulnerable positions, for a whole host of different reasons. These include, but are certainly not limited to, the following:
Aggressive Marketing
Remember when you’d sign up for something online, enter your email address and phone number, and then days later, you’d be spammed to high heaven with endless spam calls and emails? Annoying wasn’t it? Well, if you use black market betting sites, the likelihood of that happening, on an even greater scale, is incredibly high.
Illegal offshore betting operators are unlicenced and unregulated. That means they likely wouldn’t think twice about selling on your personal details for marketing purposes. The only spam we like is battered and served with chips, so unless you enjoy endless nuisance calls and emails, it’s best to give the black market betting apps a wide berth.
Risk of Financial Theft
As mentioned, illegal betting sites are unlicenced and not regulated. That means they essentially answer to nobody, and have free reign to do what they like. Even if that means withholding your winnings, or failing to implement the necessary online safety features to keep your banking details safe.
Those using unregulated betting apps are far more likely to become victims of financial theft, and nobody wants that.
Risk of Identity Theft
As well as being at risk of financial theft, users of black market betting apps are also at a greater risk of identity theft. Any personal info or details you enter is far more likely to be sold on to cyber criminals, meaning you could potentially become a victim of identity theft.
Risk of Malware
Because these sites and apps are unregulated and often cut corners, they’re not safe and secure. This means that by using them, there’s a risk that your devices could become infected with malicious software, spyware, and more besides.
How the UKGC is Tackling Offshore Betting App Operators
So, we can understand the scale of the problem, and the risks that black market betting operators pose, so exactly what is being done to stop them?
Well, as it turns out, quite a lot, and with an increased budget of upwards of £26 million, the UKGC is only getting started.
The UK Gambling Commission is taking a multi-layered approach to tackling illegal offshore betting operators. Alongside enforcing the Gambling Act 2005, it is carrying out research to identify where unlicensed gambling services are being promoted and accessed. The regulator is also working with financial institutions and payment providers to disrupt payments to illegal operators, while collaborating with search engines, social media platforms and other technology companies to remove advertising and reduce online visibility. In addition, the Commission works closely with law enforcement agencies and other regulatory bodies to investigate organised criminal activity, prevent money laundering and match-fixing, tackle underage gambling, and ensure that licensed operators in Great Britain have no links to illegal offshore businesses.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute gambling or financial advice. Gambling should only be undertaken responsibly by those aged 18 and over.