Key Takeaways
- Fresh data from the UK Gambling Commission spanning 21 months through February 2026 reveals no consistent upward trend in illegal gambling engagement
- Following the Online Safety Act’s implementation in July 2025, VPN adoption surged approximately 40%, concealing substantial illegal gambling traffic
- The regulator’s existing 30% VPN traffic adjustment appears insufficient given the recent spike in encrypted browsing
- Current measurement methods rely on web traffic estimates with significant error margins, failing to account for app-based or direct-connection gambling activity
- The Commission is consulting with global regulatory bodies and licensed gambling operators to enhance data collection and enforcement strategies
Britain’s gambling watchdog revealed this week that increasing VPN adoption is complicating efforts to monitor unlicensed online gambling operations. The Commission released refreshed analysis on Tuesday incorporating information through February 2026.
This data release came after a panel session addressing illegal gambling challenges at the regulator’s Spring Evidence Conference held in Birmingham during March. Participants included industry stakeholders, Dutch gambling regulatory officials, and HMRC representatives.
Tim Livesley, who leads the Commission’s Data Innovation Hub, shared the research results via blog post. The analysis examines a 21-month timeframe and employs estimated time spent on unlicensed gambling platforms as a proxy for consumer activity.
The Commission’s findings indicate no persistent or steady increase in illegal gambling participation. A notable surge recorded during autumn 2024 failed to recur in the corresponding 2025 period.
Regulatory officials characterized the data pattern as volatile rather than indicative of sustained expansion. The analysis also revealed an absence of discernible seasonal fluctuations.
VPN Adoption Spike Following Online Safety Legislation
The Online Safety Act’s launch in July 2025 triggered a significant uptick in VPN usage among British internet users. Independent confirmation came from both Ofcom and analytics platform Similarweb.
Ofcom’s measurements documented a sharp VPN usage increase in July 2025, subsequently stabilizing at approximately 40% above baseline levels. Similarweb’s tracking showed comparable trends with a less pronounced initial jump.
The regulatory body had previously incorporated a 30% adjustment factor into traffic projections to compensate for VPN-obscured activity. Authorities now acknowledge that a greater portion of illegal gambling traffic likely evades detection.
This recognition led the Commission to incorporate two alternative VPN usage models into its analytical framework. Consequently, confidence intervals in mid-2025 forward data have widened considerably.
While VPN adoption initially accelerated as consumers sought to circumvent Online Safety Act limitations, these same privacy tools now provide cover for unlicensed gambling platforms attempting to evade regulatory oversight.
Web Traffic Measurement Constraints
The regulatory authority emphasized that published figures derive from web traffic projections inherently subject to error margins. These estimations fail to encompass all access methods to unlicensed gambling platforms.
Gambling conducted through mobile applications or direct connections remains invisible in current datasets. Consequently, the metrics prove more reliable for identifying patterns than quantifying absolute activity levels.
Officials stated that no isolated data source provides complete accuracy. They characterized illegal gambling as a multifaceted challenge demanding multiple information streams.
The Commission is actively developing supplementary data sources to complement traffic analytics. These include the Gambling Survey for Great Britain and the Consumer Voice research initiative.
Livesley indicated the Commission is engaging with licensed operators and international regulatory counterparts. The objective involves validating current information and identifying additional datasets that could sharpen understanding of unlicensed market dynamics.
Precise measurement carries significant implications because it informs enforcement prioritization. Interventions including payment channel blocking, domain seizures, and financial institution collaborations require dependable intelligence.
The regulatory body committed to publishing ongoing updates regarding research activities and data initiatives throughout the year. Additional information about expanded disruption tactics and enforcement operations will be forthcoming.
The November 2025 assessment had previously concluded that no available methodology could accurately estimate player spending with unlicensed operators. Three measurement approaches underwent evaluation at that time, with none deemed sufficiently robust.
Six months forward, methodological refinement continues. The Commission maintains its position that illegal gambling represents a top enforcement priority.
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