Report
Illegal online gambling - Phase 1: Exploring consumer pathways into using illegal gambling websites
The Gambling Commission's report on the first phase of the Consumer Voice illegal gambling project.
Self-excluders
This section explores the Self-Excluder audience in more depth, covering their reasons for using illegal gambling websites, pathways into illegal websites and wider attitudes towards these websites and regulation.
Reasons for using illegal websites
From the quantitative survey, just under a tenth (9 percent) of those who gamble online (1,007 respondents) had previously signed up to GAMSTOP – 5 percent within the past 12 months, with a further 4 percent having done so less recently than that. Expectedly, this was much higher among those with a Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) score of 8 or more (38 percent).
The qualitative LEAP-facilitated focus groups found that respondents who had self-excluded often continued to gamble. For this group, the ability to access any gambling website whilst being self-excluded is the primary motivator. However, the ability to use credit cards or PayPal with these websites may also add to the appeal, as this enables them to access funds quickly, particularly if they have restricted access to funds (for example, if they have bank gambling blocks1 in place).
“I would just be looking for someone who would take my money right now.”
Male, Self-Excluder
Pathways into illegal websites
The main pathway into illegal websites is through the use of search engines, with individuals searching for websites that aren’t registered with GAMSTOP.
“I googled ‘gambling sites not on GAMSTOP’ and found them that way. At the time, I didn’t think about whether they were licensed or not, I just wanted to find someone I could gamble with.”
Female, Self-Excluder
However, this group also report receiving large quantities of direct marketing and targeted advertising on social media. These advertisements can incite this group to continue to gamble, as they report that they tended to act impulsively with less consideration. Some respondents recount illegal gambling companies making direct phone calls to encourage them to gamble.
“I’ve changed my phone number so many times but somehow, they still manage to get hold of me. It (gambling advertising) never stops.”
Female, Self-Excluder
This group report managing risks such as losing deposits or having difficulties in cashing out by conducting their own research into the illegal websites they used, but also recounted that the compulsion to gamble often outweighed the risks. Consequently, there is inconsistent evidence of due diligence being conducted prior to gambling.
Attitudes towards illegal websites and regulation
Self-Excluders tend to be more knowledgeable of the gambling sector than other groups. Some may know the difference between a licensed and an illegal website and have knowledge of who the Gambling Commission are and their role. However, the compulsion to play and need to subvert self-exclusion often means the risks of using an illegal website and licensing practices are rarely considered at the time of play.
However, when considering their interactions with illegal websites in hindsight, Self-Excluders are highly critical of this market, describing it as predatory. This sentiment appears to be fuelled by advertising and spam received, as well as their personal experiences with gambling.
“They advertise themselves as ‘not on GAMSTOP’ in the subject header. They are deliberately targeting people who have self-excluded.”
Male, Self-Excluder
“When they contacted me, it made me so angry. It was like someone had reached into my new life with something so intrusive.”
Female, Self-Excluder
Case study
Harriet, Aged 50, PGSI 16, Self-Excluder
Harriet first got into gambling when her boss recommended she try Virgin Games to play Bingo; she said they could chat on there and interact with other users as a fun pastime. She won a few times, and this prompted her to start doing wider casino gambling. She gambled for years, losing money, and borrowing money through credit cards. Her daughter helped her realise she had a problem and helped register her on GAMSTOP and her sister took control of her bank accounts temporarily.
Triggers
She wanted to find websites which would allow her to gamble while using GAMSTOP. She had 2 months remaining on her GAMSTOP ban but wanted to gamble there and then.
“I didn’t care who I was gambling with, I just wanted somewhere where I could play slots.”
Pathway
Harriet Google searched ‘sites which you can use while on GAMSTOP’ and clicked the first links which came up in the search results at the time. Once she’d done that, she started receiving emails from websites advertising themselves as not on GAMSTOP, which she used.
“I just googled sites which let you gamble with GAMSTOP and loads came up.”
Experience
Sometimes the websites worked but she also had experiences of:
- glitchy websites kicking her out mid-play
- winnings being miscalculated and changing mid-play
- difficulty withdrawing money.
“It got to the point where I was taking screenshots of my winnings to prove they were right.”
Outlook
These websites make her feel angry – she doesn’t trust them and feels like they take advantage of people who self-exclude. She’s tried changing numbers and email addresses several times but still gets bombarded with marketing and calls, which frustrates her.
“They just won’t let you go. They call me and I don’t want to speak to them. It’s stressful and I know they’ll use techniques to try and bring me back.”
Names and identifying information have been changed.
References
1Individuals can block their bank account or debit card, which stops the account from being used for gambling transactions. For more details, see The Commission's guidance on blocking gambling payments with your bank.
Pathways into illegal gambling websites Next section
Skilled Advocates
Last updated: 18 September 2025
Show updates to this content
No changes to show.