Press Releases
UK’s BGC calls for Online Harms Bill to crackdown on black-market unregulated gambling operators endangering children
Standards body BGC Calls for government to use Online Harms Bill to crackdown on unregulated gambling operators
Analysis conducted for the new standards body, the Betting and Gaming Council which represents UK regulated operators, reveals consumers are exposed to large numbers of unlicensed operators (38%) through search results for key gambling terms on major search engines.
- 4 in 10 search results for key gambling terms on major search engines are unlicensed black-market operators
- Danger that children are accessing illegal websites with no strict ID and age verification measures unlike U.K. licensed operators.
- 27 million visits from UK IP addresses to black—market gambling sites
- Estimated 200,000 people in U.K. have used illegal gambling sites in past 12 months
The BGC calls on the government to ensure that the Online Harms Bill, soon to be introduced in parliament, includes action to crack down on platforms who profit from unregulated, black market gambling operators.
There is a particular danger that children are accessing these websites where there are no strict ID and age verification measures deployed by U.K. licensed operators. New strict age verification procedures introduced in May 2019 for UK licensed operators require full verification of name, age and address before anyone can open an online account or place a bet.
The regulatory Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (formerly RGSB) warned in 2018 that internet service providers, app stores, search engine companies, and other relevant providers should be vigilant to the possibility of third party use of their products to provide illegal gambling to children and young people, and should be proactive in preventing it.
The sizeable proportion of gamblers using unlicensed operators reveals that the size of the active ‘black market’ in the UK today is worth around £1.4bn in stakes.
Web traffic statistics suggest that there are 27 million visits from UK IP addresses. Some unlicensed websites block customers from the U.K. but many of those can be circumvented using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks).
Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the BGC, said: “Search platforms are promoting black-market gambling operators for profit, putting the British consumers, including children, at risk. None of the UK’s strict licensed safeguards are in place on these illegal sites.
“Regulated bookies and online operators have a strict zero tolerance approach to underage gambling, yet unlicensed operators are free to prey on vulnerable consumers.
“We welcome the Government’s Online Harms Bill. But it also provides the Government with a chance to clamp down on the black-market and help protect punters who want a flutter in a safe environment.”
eSports
G2’s Otis Lawrence wins 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship
Welsh driver beats Ismael Fahssi by two points after a 12-round season running March 27 to May 28 with a $750,000 prize pool.
G2-backed Alpine Sim Racing driver Otis Lawrence has been crowned 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Champion after the season concluded on May 28.
The 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship ran from March 27 to May 28 and featured a $750,000 prize pool. Drivers representing Formula 1 teams competed across four events, starting with a live opener at DreamHack Birmingham.
The title was decided at the final event. Lawrence secured multiple race victories across 12 rounds and finished top of the standings.
Lawrence won the championship by two points ahead of Scuderia Ferrari HP Esports driver Ismael Fahssi. Reigning champion Jarno Opmeer of Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing placed third overall.
The post G2’s Otis Lawrence wins 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Best eSports Supplier
BETBY secures fifth award in six months with best eSports Supplier win at Sigma Europe
BETBY, the provider of B2B sportsbook solutions, has been named Best eSports Supplier at the SiGMA Europe Awards 2026, further reinforcing its position as one of the industry’s leading innovators in esports betting.
The awards ceremony took place at Casino Maltese in Valletta, Malta, bringing together key stakeholders from across the global iGaming industry to recognise companies driving excellence, innovation, and growth across the sector.
This latest accolade highlights BETBY’s continued investment in its proprietary esports feed, Betby Games, which has become a central pillar of the supplier’s sportsbook offering.
Built to deliver fast-paced, high-frequency betting content, Betby Games combines 35+ titles with scalable event coverage, engaging market depth, and strong customisation capabilities to help operators strengthen player engagement across both mature and emerging markets.
The award also reflects the continued evolution of BETBY’s esports strategy, which has expanded beyond standard content to include localised titles, including eKabaddi and eVaquejada, innovative formats, and technology-driven enhancements designed to support operator differentiation.
Through Betby Games, BETBY continues to provide partners with a flexible esports solution that can be adapted to regional preferences, audience behaviours, and market opportunities.
The win marks BETBY’s fifth industry award in less than six months, following recent recognitions at the SiGMA South America Awards for Best eSports Product, the EGR Europe B2B Awards for Best European Marketing Campaign of the Year, the Global Gaming Awards for Breakthrough Company of the Year, and the European iGaming Awards for Sportsbetting Platform of the Year.
Commenting on the achievement, Leonid Pertsovskiy, Chief Executive Officer at BETBY, said: “Winning Best eSports Supplier at the SiGMA Europe Awards is another proud moment for BETBY and a strong recognition of the work our team continues to deliver. eSports has long been one of our key areas of focus, and this award reinforces the strength of our vision, our technology, and our ability to create products that bring real value to operators.
“To receive five major awards in less than six months is a remarkable milestone, but more importantly, it reflects the consistency of our progress. We are continuing to invest in localisation and product depth, ensuring that BETBY remains at the forefront of sportsbook innovation.”
BETBY is a leading B2B provider of top-tier sports betting services, renowned for its groundbreaking technology and dedication to excellence. BETBY’s team of industry veterans tap into their knowledge and expertise to deliver a premium, adaptable, and scalable sportsbook platform tailored to meet the varied demands of operators across the globe.
From dynamic in-play betting options to robust risk management tools and ground-breaking AI tools, BETBY is committed to propelling the success of its partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of online sports betting.
The post BETBY secures fifth award in six months with best eSports Supplier win at Sigma Europe appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
egrb2b awards
Endorphina runs LinkedIn giveaway for 10 tickets to EGRB2B Awards 2026
Tickets cover the EGRB2B Awards ceremony in London on June 3, with half chosen by comment quality and half via random draw.
Endorphina is running a LinkedIn-only giveaway offering 10 tickets to the EGRB2B Awards 2026 ceremony in London on June 3.
According to the company, participants can enter by tagging the company and/or a person they want “to see in the room” and explaining why.
Endorphina said five tickets will be awarded to the “strongest & most convincing LinkedIn comments,” while the remaining five will be selected via a random draw from all entries.
In its announcement, the supplier added: “Let’s put together the most legendary EGRB2B event table ever and bring together the best service providers in the iGaming industry.”
The post Endorphina runs LinkedIn giveaway for 10 tickets to EGRB2B Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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