Key Takeaways
Contents
- British gambling authorities released fresh figures extending to February 2026, revealing no consistent upward trajectory in unauthorized betting operations across a 21-month timeframe
- Virtual private network adoption surged approximately 40% following the Online Safety Act implementation in July 2025, obscuring unauthorized gambling connections
- The watchdog’s existing 30% compensation for VPN-concealed activity appears insufficient to reflect current market conditions
- Internet traffic analysis methods contain inherent accuracy limitations and exclude mobile application usage and direct server connections, compromising volume assessments
- Authorities are consulting with foreign regulatory bodies and legitimate gaming operators to strengthen data collection and enforcement strategies
British gambling authorities announced this week that the proliferation of virtual private networks is complicating efforts to monitor unauthorized online betting operations. The regulatory body released revised findings on Tuesday incorporating information through February 2026.
These updated figures emerged after a discussion panel addressing unlicensed gambling at the regulator’s Spring Evidence Conference held in Birmingham during March. Participants included industry stakeholders, Dutch gambling oversight officials, and representatives from HMRC.
Tim Livesley, who leads the Commission’s Data Innovation Hub, shared the conclusions through a blog entry. The analysis spans 21 months and utilizes estimated time spent on unlicensed gambling platforms as a proxy for consumer participation.
Based on the Commission’s assessment, the information fails to demonstrate a continuous or steady escalation in unauthorized gambling behavior. An uptick noticed during autumn 2024 failed to recur during the corresponding 2025 timeframe.
Authorities characterized the pattern as volatile rather than indicative of sustained expansion. Additionally, no discernible seasonal fluctuations emerged from the data.
Virtual Private Network Adoption Following New Legislation
The introduction of the Online Safety Act in July 2025 triggered a significant increase in VPN adoption among British internet users. Information from Ofcom and analytics provider Similarweb validated this trend.
Ofcom’s research indicated VPN utilization climbed dramatically in July 2025 before stabilizing at levels approximately 40% higher than previously recorded. Similarweb’s data reflected comparable trends with a somewhat reduced initial jump.
Regulatory officials had previously incorporated a 30% adjustment factor into traffic calculations to compensate for VPN-masked connections. Nevertheless, authorities now acknowledge that a greater proportion of unauthorized gambling activity may be evading detection.
This realization led the Commission to incorporate two VPN adoption models into its analytical framework. The outcome is expanded uncertainty ranges in the data starting mid-2025.
The increased deployment of VPNs initially stemmed from users seeking to circumvent limitations associated with the Online Safety Act. Yet these same technologies are now enabling unlicensed gambling operations to avoid regulatory scrutiny.
Constraints of Internet Traffic Analysis
The Commission emphasized that its calculations derive from web traffic projections, which inherently contain error margins. These projections fail to account for all pathways consumers use to access unauthorized gambling websites.
Engagement through mobile applications or direct server links remains outside the analytical scope. Consequently, the figures prove more reliable for identifying patterns than quantifying absolute engagement levels.
Regulatory officials stated that no individual information source should be considered comprehensive. They characterized unlicensed gambling as a multifaceted challenge demanding diverse data inputs.
The Commission is currently developing supplementary information sources to complement traffic projections. These additions encompass the Gambling Survey for Great Britain and the Consumer Voice research initiative.
Livesley indicated the Commission is establishing connections with authorized operators and foreign regulatory agencies. The objective involves validating current information and identifying fresh datasets that could enhance comprehension of the unauthorized marketplace.
Precise measurement carries significance because it influences how authorities direct enforcement resources. Mechanisms including payment interception, website domain removal, and collaborations with banking institutions require dependable information.
The Commission confirmed it will maintain regular publication of updates regarding its investigative and analytical work throughout the year. Additional details concerning expanded disruption and enforcement operations are also planned.
The November 2025 assessment had previously recognized that no existing technique could accurately calculate consumer spending with unauthorized operators. Three methodologies underwent testing during that period, with none deemed sufficiently reliable.
Six months beyond that point, the analytical approach continues evolving. The Commission affirmed its ongoing treatment of unlicensed gambling as a high-priority enforcement domain.
