UKGC refers 7.7 million illegal gambling URLs to search engines in Q2 of 2026-27 enforcement push

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission has reported a sharp rise in its action against illegal online gambling, referring 7.7 million URLs linked to unlicensed activity to search engines between July and September. In the same period, 3,019,291 URLs were taken down and 1,835 websites were submitted to search engines for delisting. By comparison, only 147,721 URLs were referred in the April to June quarter.

Acting chief executive Sarah Gardner presented the figures at the regulator's CEO Briefing. She said the Commission had substantially increased its enforcement work, which follows additional government funding. The UKGC is due to receive GBP 26 million, almost $35 million, in extra money over the next three years. The regulator is also searching for a permanent chief executive.

Over the first six months of the 2026-27 financial year, the UKGC reported 7,824,932 URLs to search engines, and 3,038,969 of them were removed. In the whole of 2025-26, 397,527 URLs were reported and 266,667 were taken down. Some 2,201 websites were referred for delisting in the six months, more than double the 1,068 recorded in the previous financial year.

Cease-and-desist activity also grew. Between April and September the regulator issued 1,005 notices to advertisers and operators, against 741 across the entire previous financial year. In addition, 1,668 websites were taken down or geo-blocked in the half-year, already above the 1,134 recorded for all of 2025-26.

The Commission also published new estimates on consumer engagement with illegal gambling sites, drawn from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain and released alongside an updated Illegal Gambling Data Dashboard. The survey uses questions designed to establish whether people are likely to have used illegal sites, whether or not they know the sites are unlicensed. The aim is to give a clearer picture of who uses such platforms and which risks are emerging.

Sue Young, the UKGC's executive director of operations, said tackling illegal gambling remains a priority. She noted that engagement with the illegal market is relatively low, but a particular group of online gamblers continues to use it, and research indicates that people gambling with illegal operators are more likely to experience harm. The regulator will keep working with government, the gambling industry, technology providers and financial services organisations to disrupt illegal activity and protect consumers.