UKGC Links Illegal Gambling Use to GamStop and ID Check Avoidance

Seeking gambling websites outside GamStop and avoiding requests for personal information were the behaviours most strongly associated with illegal online gambling use in research commissioned by Britain’s Gambling Commission.

Respondents reporting either behaviour frequently or sometimes were around 1.5 times more likely to show illegal-site use than those reporting it rarely or never. Browsing for better odds, reported by 42% of respondents, showed little independent association. The findings identify relationships between behaviours rather than proving what caused players to use unlicensed sites. 

Searches Extend Beyond Self-Exclusion

The research found that “not on GamStop” has acquired a broader meaning. Alongside people seeking to bypass self-exclusion, some users associate the phrase with fewer checks, faster withdrawals and reduced restrictions.

That distinction matters when interpreting searches: they do not necessarily indicate that the person searching is registered with the self-exclusion scheme.

However, the promised reduction in checks does not always materialise. Forum accounts examined by researchers described websites advertising limited verification requirements but subsequently requesting identity documents, including after substantial wins. Players could therefore encounter the same frustrations they sought to avoid, with fewer protections.

Most Respondents Supported Verification

Despite resistance among some groups, 68% of respondents regarded identity verification as an important protective measure. The findings do not suggest that opposition to checks is the prevailing view among online gamblers.

Yonder Consulting surveyed 4,007 people who had gambled online during the previous four weeks, excluding lottery-only players, between May 1 and May 15, 2026. The wider study combined the survey with analysis of online discussions and qualitative interviews. 

The Commission stressed that most respondents had not used illegal gambling websites. Its findings concern the characteristics associated with a minority’s behaviour and should not be read as evidence of widespread movement away from licensed operators.