BGC issues warning on rise in unlicensed bets ahead of Grand National
With the 2025 Grand National just a day away, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has sounded the alarm over an estimated £9.4 million (approx. $11.8 million) likely to be gambled with unlicensed operators during the event.
The new figures highlight growing concerns about the impact of the gambling black market on the regulated sector, tax revenues, and player protection. The Grand National, one of the most-watched horse races globally, draws over 600 million viewers across 140 countries, with around 13 million UK adults expected to place bets this year. Regulated stakes on the race are forecast to reach approximately £250 million(approx. $315 million).
Illegal gambling threatens UK racing revenues
The BGC, which represents over 90 percent of the UK’s licensed betting and gaming industry, warned that illegal gambling continues to undermine public safety and economic contributions. Legal betting on the Grand National is expected to deliver £3 million (approx. $3.8 million) in tax revenues and £2 million to the horseracing levy. Unlicensed operators, however, are predicted to divert millions from both the Treasury and the racing industry.
Grainne Hurst, Betting and Gaming Council CEO, said: “Almost £10m is predicted to be staked illegally on the unsafe, growing gambling black market at this year’s Grand National, fuelling crime, undermining player protection measures, while sucking vital cash from sport and the Treasury.”
“The Grand National is one of the precious few sporting events in this country with the ability to unite the entire nation around a single spectacle. It is the nation’s punt, and it is being subverted by illegal operators offering illicit gambling to thousands of punters, many of whom are vulnerable to harm.”
“This should serve as a wake-up call for Government who must guard against overbearing regulations which risk driving punters into the arms of illegal operators. Balanced regulations and a stable tax regime are the best defences against this black market menace, which now poses an existential threat to British racing,” added Hurst.
BGC research reveals that up to £4.3 billion (approx. $5.4 billion) is wagered annually on the black market, with as many as 1.5 million UK adults using unregulated platforms. Worryingly, more than one in five bettors aged 18–24 are reportedly engaging with such sites, which often exploit messaging apps and target vulnerable users, including those who have self-excluded from licensed services.
Black market betting not just a UK problem
The problem extends beyond the UK. A February report from the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities found a 522 percent increase in unique visitors to 22 unlicensed sites offering bets on British racing between August 2021 and September 2024. In comparison, legal platforms recorded a 49 percent rise during the same period.
BGC urges balanced regulation
The BGC stressed that strong regulation and a stable tax framework remain the most effective tools against black market growth. The UK’s regulated betting sector supports 109,000 jobs, contributes £6.8 billion (approx. $8.6 billion) to the economy, and raises £4 billion in taxes annually. It also delivers approximately £350 million (approx. $441 million) each year to British horseracing through sponsorship, media rights, and the levy, while investing in other sports including football, rugby league, darts, and snooker.
In light of these figures, the BGC has renewed calls for a balanced approach from policymakers to ensure consumer protection while sustaining a viable and competitive legal market.
