The UK Government says its Illegal Gambling Taskforce has made progress since launching in January and is now examining illegal advertising, payment flows and cooperation between regulators and law enforcement.

Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross gave the update in a written answer published by Parliament on 25 September 2026. The government said the taskforce will report after completing its first year.

The taskforce is reviewing how unlicensed gambling reaches consumers and how money moves through the systems that support it. No new licence conditions or legislation have been announced.

What the taskforce is examining

The taskforce is examining how unlicensed gambling businesses reach consumers in Great Britain and how funds move to and from those operators.

  • Advertising and promotion of illegal gambling.
  • Payments linked to unlicensed gambling operators.
  • Cooperation between regulators, government agencies and law enforcement.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport set out these objectives in terms of reference published on 13 May 2026. The work covers both illegal remote and land-based gambling.

Why payments and platforms matter

In Great Britain, gambling businesses generally need an operating licence from the Gambling Commission to provide gambling services to consumers. A licence issued in another country does not permit an operator to serve Great Britain.

The Gambling Commission identifies payment services, advertising, search engines, social media and technology providers as key access points for illegal operators.

The Commission says unlicensed sites can expose consumers to weaker age checks, safer gambling tools, payment controls and dispute processes. Its 2026 money laundering risk assessment also says payment processors can be the first regulated financial link through which money from illegal gambling enters the legitimate financial system.

That makes payments and advertising potential pressure points outside the licensed operator itself. Any future recommendations could therefore affect financial firms, online platforms and technology suppliers as well as gambling businesses.

Separate from Gambling Commission enforcement

The taskforce is not a new licensing or enforcement authority. Its terms of reference state that it will not direct or intervene in the Gambling Commission’s operational work.

The Commission remains responsible for licensing and enforcement under the existing framework. The taskforce is intended to develop recommendations and coordinate action across sectors.

The Commission has already used disruption measures against illegal gambling. Its guidance describes action involving advertising, payment services, search engines, social media and technology providers.

What happens next

The government has not announced new licence conditions, legislation or final enforcement decisions as part of the 25 September update.

The next formal milestone is the taskforce’s first-year report. Its published terms say the taskforce will run for 12 months. Its remit and membership will then be reviewed.

For payment firms, advertising platforms, technology suppliers and Gambling Commission licence holders, the key issue is whether the recommendations lead to voluntary controls, regulatory guidance or legislation.

No such change has been announced yet. The update concerns Great Britain. It does not establish a single gambling licensing framework for Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.