UK bookmakers that warned of rogue casinos profited from offshore gambling

The three bookmakers have repeatedly warned the government that excessive regulation or taxation could drive their customers into the arms of rogue offshore casinos. Photograph: andresr/Getty Images

Three UK bookmakers that have repeatedly warned of the dangers of the illicit market have also benefited from a lucrative deal with one of the world’s largest offshore casinos, the Guardian can reveal.

Details of the arrangement emerged as a result of last week’s Casino Secrets leak, which saw the release of thousands of confidential files held by the gambling regulator on the Caribbean island of Curaçao, a haven for offshore betting sites.