• A new study reveals that approximately 1 in every 5 visits by UK bettors is now directed toward illegal or unlicensed betting websites.
• The use of black market sites for horse racing has seen a seven-fold increase compared to data recorded in late 2021.
• Despite significant enforcement action by the Gambling Commission, illegal traffic remains substantially higher than levels seen prior to the 2023 Gambling White Paper.

A concerning new report published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) highlights a significant rise in the use of illegal betting platforms in Britain. Data covering the first seven months of 2026 shows that for every 100 visits to legal operators, there were 19.4 visits to unlicensed sites. Furthermore, customers are spending more time on these illegal platforms, with average visit durations increasing by 32% since October 2024. The shift comes as the legal online racing market has seen turnover decline by over £2bn since its 2021-22 peak, following various regulatory and tax measures.

While the Gambling Commission has been active—issuing over 3,100 disruption notices and removing nearly 288,000 URLs since April 2024—the study suggests that the volume of illegal traffic remains significantly elevated. The BHA has expressed deep concern regarding these findings, warning that consumers moving to unlicensed sites face fewer protections and contribute nothing to the sport or public finances. Brant Dunshea, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, stated that the research confirms long-held fears that restrictive policies could drive customers toward the black market. The BHA is now calling for urgent, coordinated action between the Government, industry leaders, and tech providers to ensure bettors remain within the regulated, safe environment of licensed operators.

This information is based on a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) press release. Source: BHA press release