Entertainment

Risky business: Gambling the growth of gambling’s black market in the UK

Published

7 months ago

October 24, 2025

Whether you’re an operator in the gambling industry or a player just enjoying the services, the existence of a gambling black market is bad news. Often, illegal gambling outfits are tied to organised criminality, which can entail very serious offences involving the exploitation of vulnerable people. The actions of illegal operators breed consumer mistrust in the wider gambling industry, tarnishing the reputation of legitimate operators.

For players, the gambling black market is equally bad news. They may be trying to self-exclude from gambling, but black market offerings are too tempting. Worse still, anyone who plays on an illegal gambling site has no protection. They may not receive their winnings or could even be cheated outright. Below is a look at why people gamble on the black market, proposals to tackle illegal gambling, and the future of the black market.

Engaging in risky business

According to research discussed on the Betting and Gaming Council website report, the gambling black market is growing and, each year, around 1.4 million Brits are staking up to £4.3 billion on it (£2.7 billion online and £1.6 billion at illegal gambling venues).

The motivations for turning to gambling on the black market are many:

No restrictions on stakes or spending
No age or identity verification
Opportunity to play games or access products unavailable in the UK
Avoidance of account bans or restrictions
Escape from self-exclusion schemes
Avoidance of bank bans on gambling
Draconian regulations on gambling
High return to player (RTP) percentages
Option to pay with less usual payment methods, such as cryptocurrency, nonfungible tokens (NFTs) or credit cards.

If you’re trying to avoid black market operators and find the best online casinos in the UK to play at safely, it’s important to read online reviews. Players who have a bad experience won’t hesitate to warn other people about operators.

One of the best sites for finding reliable reviews is casino.co.uk, they thoroughly review the best online casinos in the UK, and only recommend safe, trustworthy websites.

Tackling illegal gambling

Authorities are concerned about the ease of access to black market gambling and are trying to clamp down on illegal gambling operations. The Gambling Commission has launched an Illegal Gambling Hub that brings together research, enforcement updates, and advice on how to identify illegal gambling websites.

As part of its work, the commission is:

Investing in technology and training for its Illegal Markets team
Working with British and international law enforcement
Working with the financial sector
Working with the Government to make sure it has the resources, knowledge, and powers to fight illegal gambling.

The regulator has identified specific elements that illegal operators rely on to conduct their business and is targeting them. These include:

Payment processing capabilities
Advertising to customers
Access to software, expertise, technical infrastructure and equipment to offer illegal gambling
Customer retention
Ability to stay ahead of law enforcement while operating.

The future of the black market

Black market operators will be rubbing their hands with glee if the Government reforms taxation on gambling service operations. Recently, there has been talk of simplifying the system by introducing a single tax because sports betting and casino services are taxed differently.

A study commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council, however, has found that almost a third of punters would switch to gambling on the black market if the Government hikes up taxes on legal operators that force them to withdraw offers and promotions. Twenty-eight percent of the punters would look for black market operators, who can run better promotions and offers because they don’t pay tax or support sport. Fourteen percent of punters admitted to already betting at black market websites.

What is clear is that the black market is growing, which means more and more punters are at risk. According to the research, 29% of the punters wouldn’t be confident spotting a black market site compared to a legitimate operator, worryingly.

These findings place the Government in a very tricky position as it struggles to kick-start growth in the economy. Theoretically, a tax hike would raise money for the coffers; in practice, however, it could not only drive more people to play on unregulated sites, but also deprive the Government of this extra tax revenue if they do.

People are turning to the black market because of all the freedom these operators offer them to play as they wish without restrictions. Unfortunately, this is risky because the operators aren’t regulated and can refuse to pay out winnings or scam the players outright, and there’s nothing the players will be able to do about it. If taxes on legitimate operators increase, even more punters will be willing to take this risk than is already the case.

Entertainment

Llys-y-frân Lake to launch Wales’s largest inflatable aqua park

Published

3 days ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW ATTRACTION WILL OPEN AT WEEKENDS BEFORE THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

LLYS-Y-FRÂN Lake is set to make a splash this summer with the launch of what is being billed as Wales’s largest inflatable aqua park.

The new attraction, at the popular reservoir and visitor destination near Clarbeston Road, will feature a floating obstacle course with slides, launch towers, blast bags and other inflatable challenges.

Visitors will be able to enjoy one-hour sessions on the water, with safety equipment included in the £25 ticket price.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, which runs Llys-y-frân Lake, completed the acquisition of the aqua park from Aqua Parks Group in March. Work is now under way to inflate and anchor the multi-component course in the lake ahead of its opening.

The aqua park will open at weekends before the start of the six-week school holiday period. It will then operate daily during the school holidays, with the season expected to finish in early September.

James Thompson, Head of Visitor Attractions at Dŵr Cymru, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of an Aqua Park at Llys-y-frân Lake.

“We look forward to welcoming both holidaymakers and local residents from across West Wales and beyond to experience the Aqua Park.

“This new addition enables visitors to enjoy the water in a safe, fully lifeguarded environment.”

Llys-y-frân Lake, situated north of Haverfordwest in the foothills of the Preseli Mountains, has become one of West Wales’s best-known outdoor attractions.

The site, which includes 350 acres of woodland, grassland and open water, benefited from major investment in 2021 with the opening of a new visitor centre and activity centre. A four-star campsite was added in 2023.

Dŵr Cymru said environmental surveys had been carried out and indicated that the aqua park was unlikely to have a negative impact on local wildlife. The company said measures were being put in place to protect the lake’s habitats and species.

Recent inland bathing water assessments have also confirmed that Llys-y-frân Lake has excellent water quality. Welsh Water said monitoring would continue throughout the summer bathing season.

A community open day will be held at Llys-y-frân Visitor Centre on Sunday, May 17, from 11:00am to 3:00pm, where plans for the aqua park will be on display and staff will be available to answer questions.

The new attraction will add to the existing activities at Llys-y-frân, which include bike hire, walking and cycling trails, mountain bike routes, a pump track, lakeside café and gift shop.

Further updates on opening dates and the full summer timetable will be published on the Llys-y-frân Lake Facebook and Instagram pages.

Charity

Milford Haven Beer Fest set for Bank Holiday return

Published

4 days ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Festival promises live music, Welsh ales and community spirit at the waterfront

MILFORD HAVEN Beer Fest is set to return later this month, with organisers promising another packed day of live music, craft drinks and festival atmosphere.

The popular annual event will take place at Milford Waterfront on Saturday, May 23, inside the Ascona Group Marquee, with doors opening at 12:00pm.

Organisers say no advance tickets will be available, with entry operating on a first come, first served basis. Another sell-out is expected and early arrival is strongly advised.

A wide range of Welsh breweries and drinks producers will be represented, including Tenby Harbwr Brewery, Bluestone Brewing Company, Gethin’s Cider, Mantle Brewery, Gower Brewery and Core of the Poodle.

Tiny Rebel Brewery will also be serving lagers, IPAs and its new stout, Coal Drop, while Barti Rum will showcase its latest canned drinks. Prosecco and Pimm’s will also be available.

Entertainment throughout the day will be hosted by Pure West Radio, with headliners 4th Street returning to the waterfront.

The line-up also includes a DJ set from former Welsh rugby international and British and Irish Lion Josh Navidi, alongside performances from Steve Bartram, Big Chicken, Jake Taylor, Function 22 and Natalie O’Brien.

Festivalgoers will also be able to enjoy a street food zone featuring Grub Tacos, Junkyard Dogs and Reeves BBQ.

Community support

Nathan Rees, chairman of Milford Haven Round Table said: “The Beer Festival is a huge highlight for us – not just for the atmosphere, but for the impact it has.

“Every penny raised goes back into the community, funding events like our Carnival and Fireworks and supporting local causes.

“We’re also incredibly grateful to The Ascona Group for their continued sponsorship and to the Port of Milford Haven for their ongoing support as our Major Events Partner, as well as all the Beer Festival sponsors for 2026.”

Ticket information

Entry costs £25 and includes four drink tokens, a festival cup and live entertainment throughout the day.

Additional drink tokens will cost £2.50 each, with cash and card accepted.

The event is strictly over-18s only.

Organisers say there will be a 100 per cent bag search policy, with visitors strongly advised not to bring bags. Free water will be available, and dogs will not be allowed.

Entertainment

Dinosaurs set to take over Milford Waterfront

Published

5 days ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PREHISTORIC FUN COMES TO MILFORD HAVEN

DINOSAURS will be roaming Milford Waterfront later this month as Dinomania brings a day of prehistoric entertainment to the town.

The popular dinosaur attraction will take over the waterfront on Wednesday, May 27, with three interactive shows taking place throughout the afternoon.

Each show will last around 50 minutes and promises plenty of audience participation, prehistoric facts, and family-friendly fun.

Before the ticketed shows begin, visitors are being encouraged to keep an eye out around Milford Waterfront, where Dinomania’s dinosaurs will be out and about during a free walkabout performance between 10:30am and 11:30am.

The walkabout will give families the chance to see the dinosaurs up close and enjoy some entertainment around the waterfront before the main shows get underway.

Milford Waterfront said: “Dinomania will be taking over Milford Waterfront on Wednesday, May 27, with three exciting shows taking place throughout the afternoon.

“Each show lasts approximately 50 minutes and is packed with interactive moments and prehistoric fun.”

Tickets can be booked through the Milford Waterfront website.