Gambling: Taxation
(asked on 16th December 2025) - View Source
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to betting and gaming levies on illegal gambling operations in the UK.
This question was answered on 5th January 2026
Estimates suggest the illegal market is relatively small in the UK, between 2 – 9% of legal online market stakes. The Gambling Commission is already tackling this risk and protecting consumers, but we recognise that modern technology makes it easier for illegal websites to target consumers. To further secure the legitimate market and protect consumers from illegal sites, at Budget 2025, the government announced an additional £26 million of funding over the next three years for the Gambling Commission to strengthen enforcement and tackle illegal gambling.
Estimates suggest the illegal market is relatively small in the UK, between 2 – 9% of legal online market stakes. The Gambling Commission is already tackling this risk and protecting consumers, but we recognise that modern technology makes it easier for illegal websites to target consumers. To further secure the legitimate market and protect consumers from illegal sites, at Budget 2025, the government announced an additional £26 million of funding over the next three years for the Gambling Commission to strengthen enforcement and tackle illegal gambling.