UKGC Withholds List of Illegal Gambling Sites
Regulator cites law enforcement concerns in refusal to name blocked or shut down unlicensed operators following a Freedom of Information request.
The UK Gambling Commission has refused to release a list of illegal gambling websites it has taken action against, citing concerns that disclosure would harm its investigative processes. While the regulator argues this protects consumers in the long run, it means the public is not being warned about specific unlicensed sites.
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Regulator Denies Access to Names of Unlicensed Operators
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has withheld a list of illegal online gambling websites it has taken action against, stating that releasing the information would compromise its law enforcement functions. The decision came in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request dated 31 January 2025, which asked for the domain names of all websites shut down or blocked for operating illegally in the UK.
While the Commission confirmed it holds the requested information, it invoked a law enforcement exemption under the Freedom of Information Act to justify its refusal. This means consumers will not be given a specific list of the unlicensed sites the regulator has recently targeted.
Why Was the Information Withheld?
The UKGC's primary role is to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain and ensure operators are licensed and compliant. A key part of this is taking action against unlicensed operators who illegally target British consumers.
In its response, the regulator argued that disclosing the names of these sites would fall under Section 31 of the FOIA, which protects information that could prejudice its ability to conduct investigations. The Commission stated that releasing the list would:
- Alert potential offenders to its investigative tactics and strategies.
- Undermine trust with law enforcement partners and intelligence sources who share sensitive information.
- Prejudice the outcome of future and ongoing investigations by exposing assessment techniques.
Essentially, the UKGC believes that publicising a list of targeted sites would give illegal operators an advantage, making it harder for the regulator to effectively police the market.
The Balance Between Transparency and Protection
The Commission acknowledged a public interest in transparency and accountability. It noted that disclosure could assure the public that it is actively tackling illegal gambling and help consumers make informed choices.
However, after weighing the arguments, the regulator concluded that the public interest is better served by withholding the information. The UKGC's position is that maintaining the integrity of its confidential investigative processes is the most effective way to protect consumers from the harms of unlicensed gambling in the long term. Releasing the data, it argued, would damage its ability to regulate and ultimately leave the public less protected.
For statistics and general information on its enforcement activities, the Commission directed the requester to existing publications on its website, including a 2024 activity report and a blog post explaining its approach to tackling unlicensed gambling.
What This Means for Consumers
This decision highlights the ongoing challenge of combating the illegal online gambling market. While the UKGC is actively working to disrupt unlicensed operators, its operational strategy prioritises confidential investigations over public warnings about specific sites.
For consumers, this reinforces the importance of vigilance. Without an official, public list of blocked sites from the regulator, the responsibility falls on players to verify that any gambling website they use holds a valid licence from the UK Gambling Commission. Saferwager advises all consumers to check the UKGC's public register before depositing funds with any online operator.