The return of Premier League football is set to bring another surge of betting activity. Still, the excitement surrounding the new season comes alongside a growing concern for UK gambling regulators: the expansion of the illegal betting market. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) estimates that unlicensed operators could take up to £800m in bets during the 2026/27 Premier League season, with the figure potentially reaching £1bn annually next season.
The industry body expects around £20m to be wagered with illegal operators during the opening weekend alone. Typical Premier League weekends are estimated to generate between £15m and £20m in bets through unlicensed businesses.
Betting Puts Regulation in Focus
The scale of the football betting market makes the Premier League an important battleground in the UK’s efforts to keep gambling activity within the regulated sector. Millions of fans are expected to bet through licensed bookmakers throughout the campaign, where operators must comply with rules covering safer gambling, age verification, customer protection and financial safeguards.
Illegal operators do not face the same requirements, potentially leaving customers without the protections available through UK-licensed gambling sites. BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst said criminal operators were looking to benefit from every round of Premier League fixtures while avoiding the tax and regulatory obligations imposed on licensed businesses.
Changing Football Sponsorship Rules
Conveniently, the new season brings a significant change to the relationship between gambling and English football. Premier League clubs are beginning the first campaign under a voluntary agreement that removes gambling companies from the front of club shirts. Betting brands can still appear on shirt sleeves and training apparel.
The BGC supports the move and has also backed government plans to prevent Premier League clubs from accepting sponsorship from gambling companies that do not hold UK licences. It now wants those restrictions extended beyond the Premier League to other sports across Britain, arguing that unlicensed operators should not be able to use major sporting competitions to reach British consumers.
Tax Increases Add to the Debate
The warning arrives during a period of significant change in UK gambling taxation. Remote Gaming Duty increased from 21% to 40% in April, while remote betting duty is scheduled to rise from 15% to 25% in April 2027, excluding UK horse racing.
The BGC has argued that rising tax and regulatory costs could encourage some consumers towards offshore alternatives, adding another dimension to the government’s efforts to tackle unlicensed gambling. UKGC has also highlighted social media, affiliates, online communities and cryptocurrency channels as routes through which consumers can reach unlicensed gambling websites.
