Britain’s gambling industry is turning education into a game.
The Betting and Gaming Council has launched an interactive online quiz called “Spot The Black Market”, designed to teach players how to distinguish between licensed betting platforms and illegal gambling sites.
The initiative forms part of a broader campaign to highlight the risks associated with unregulated operators as concerns grow about black market activity in the UK.
A quiz designed to expose fake operators
The tool presents users with simulated screenshots of gambling websites and asks them to decide whether the site is legitimate or operating outside the law.
After each answer, the quiz explains the clues that reveal a site’s status. These include the absence of a Gambling Commission licence number, suspicious payment options, unclear terms and conditions and other red flags commonly associated with unlicensed platforms.
According to the BGC, illegal operators increasingly replicate the look and branding of regulated companies. For casual players, the difference can be difficult to spot without knowing where to look.
Knowledge gap among players
The campaign is based on research showing that many consumers struggle to identify legal gambling platforms. Similar studies conducted in other European markets, including Sweden, have found that players often assume a site is legitimate simply because it appears professional or offers familiar betting products.
The BGC says the quiz aims to close that awareness gap by turning consumer education into an interactive experience.
Black market debate intensifies
Illegal operators remain a growing concern for the UK gambling sector.
The BGC estimates that the regulated industry contributes approximately £6.8 billion annually to the UK economy and supports around 109,000 jobs. Unlicensed platforms, by contrast, generate no tax revenue and provide none of the regulatory safeguards required of licensed operators.
Research commissioned by the trade body in 2024 suggested that up to £2.7 billion may be wagered online with black market operators each year.
The issue has gained political attention as well. Earlier this year, members of parliament raised concerns that higher gambling taxes could unintentionally push players toward offshore sites that offer fewer restrictions and potentially better odds.
Education as a defensive strategy
The “Spot The Black Market” quiz is one element of a wider industry effort to address that risk. By helping players understand how regulated platforms operate and what protections they provide, the BGC hopes to steer consumers away from unlicensed alternatives.
The campaign reflects a broader shift in the UK gambling debate. Enforcement remains important, but industry groups increasingly argue that consumer awareness may be just as critical in maintaining channel