The UK Gambling Commission is preparing to intensify action against illegal lotteries as part of a wider effort to protect consumers, good causes and the regulated lottery sector.
Ian Angus, the UKGC’s Director of Policy, told the Lotteries Council Annual Conference that illegal lotteries remain a threat to consumers and licensed operators, particularly where unlicensed activity uses charity-linked messaging or prize promotions to attract players.
Angus said: “Society lotteries play a vital role in our communities, raising important money for those charities and causes that otherwise may miss out.
“But lotteries are, of course, in law a gambling product and one that requires appropriate regulation to keep it safe, fair and crime-free.”
UKGC said that 356 illegal lotteries were removed by social media platforms in 2025, almost double the 190 removed in 2024. A further 79 have already been taken down in 2026. The regulator is also expanding its wider illegal gambling enforcement work.
Angus added that UKGC wants to keep working with licensed operators and sector bodies to identify illegal activity. He urged lottery operators to continue sending intelligence to the regulator where they identify suspicious or unlicensed promotions. UKGC has also been working with the government’s Illegal Gambling Taskforce, which brings together regulators, enforcement bodies, payment providers and other partners to disrupt illegal gambling activity.
For licensed lottery operators, the message is direct. The regulator is strengthening enforcement against illegal competition but expects the regulated sector to support that work through intelligence sharing, compliance and early reporting of suspicious activity.
