The UK’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has sent an open letter to tech firms, questioning “whether enough is being done” to curb illegal gambling.
The BGC has started to increase efforts into monitoring and counteracting black market online casinos and betting sites, starting with illegal gambling’s influence on advertising.
BGC chief executive Grianne Hurst penned a letter to tech firms, stating: “We are writing to you because a growing threat to consumers is flourishing on your platforms.
“Every day, illegal gambling operators use social media, search engines, messaging services and digital advertising networks to reach people in Britain.”
The open letter follows news from the BGC that illegal betting could total £33billion by 2028.
According to the BGC, tech firms have enough resources to identify and remove adverts promoting illegal gambling.
Hurst’s letter also read: “You have the data. You have the expertise. You have the artificial intelligence tools. You have the ability to identify harmful illegal content at scale.
“The issue is no longer whether this problem can be addressed. The issue is whether enough is being done.”
The letter went on to list the GCG’s fears, continuing: “The black market is growing. The threat is real. The consumers at risk are real. And the time for action is now.”
