IAGR’s first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week highlights offshore gambling risks. Regulators and operators urge consumers to check licences, protect personal details, and choose safer, regulated gambling websites before placing bets.
IAGR’s first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week (9–13 November 2026) is bringing regulators and industry groups together to address the risks of unlicensed online gambling.
Its message is simple: a professional-looking website does not mean it is legal.
The campaign comes as regulators report continued access to offshore gambling sites, concerns about unpaid winnings and risks to personal information.
The UK Gambling Commission has also announced stronger action against illegal operators, including efforts to disrupt their payments, advertising and access to games.
For licensed operators, the campaign is a reminder that fighting the offshore market requires more than competing with bonuses. Companies must help players recognise legal websites, build trust and make responsible gambling easier to understand.
What is IAGR’s Illegal Gambling Awareness Week?
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) launched its first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week from 9 to 13 November 2026.
The campaign brings regulators and partner organisations together to help consumers identify and avoid unlicensed gambling websites.
Its central message is: “Before you bet, check whether the site is licensed where you play.”
IAGR introduced the campaign during its annual conference in Lima, Peru. It also released videos, social media content, and other resources that regulators can use in their local markets.
A key part of the campaign is CheckBeforeYouPlay.org. The free tool allows users to enter a gambling website address and check available licensing information for participating IAGR member jurisdictions.
Why is the Offshore Gambling Market a Concern?
Unlicensed gambling websites operate outside the rules of the market they target. This can leave players with limited protection when something goes wrong.
The risks include:
- Unpaid winnings: Players may face delayed or refused withdrawals without a local regulator to help resolve disputes.
- Personal data risks: Some sites may misuse identity documents, banking details, and other private information.
- Weak player protection: Unlicensed platforms may not provide required age checks, spending limits or self-exclusion tools.
- Unfair games: Players may have fewer ways to question game results or report suspected unfair practices.
The UK Gambling Commission’s November 2026 dashboard offers a recent view of the problem in Great Britain. It identified 586 illegal gambling websites accessible to consumers in September 2026.
The same report found that estimated engagement with identified illegal sites was 12% higher than the previous three-month average.
Among people who had gambled online in the previous four weeks, an estimated 2.5% had used illegal gambling websites during that period.
These figures relate to Great Britain, not the global market. They also reflect the Commission’s monitoring methods rather than a complete count of every illegal website.
How Are Regulators Fighting Illegal Gambling?
Awareness campaigns are one part of a wider effort. Regulators are also taking action against websites, payment channels, and businesses that support unlicensed gambling.
On 9 November, the UK Gambling Commission announced that it was expanding its enforcement work beyond website removal.
The Commission reported that it had:
- Issued more than 1,000 cease-and-desist notices to illegal operators in 2026/27 so far.
- Referred 7.8 million URLs to search engines.
- Secured the removal of 3 million URLs from search results.
- Referred 2,200 websites for disruption action.
- Sent more than £40 million in suspected criminal funds to partner agencies for possible asset freezing since January.
The Commission said it would also target payment services, advertising, and access to games and sports betting products.
This approach matters because removing one website may not stop an operator from returning under another domain. Disrupting the services and money behind the business can make it harder to continue operating.
Regulators are also sharing information across borders because illegal gambling websites can target players in several countries at once.
How Can Licensed Operators Fight the Offshore Market?
Regulators cannot address the issue alone. Licensed gambling companies also have a role in helping players identify legal services.
Make Licensing Information Easy to Find
Operators should display their licence details clearly on their websites and apps. Players should not have to search through several pages to confirm who regulates a platform.
Companies can also explain which countries or regions their licences cover. A licence in one market does not automatically allow an operator to serve customers everywhere.
Build Trust Through Clear Payments
Fast and reliable withdrawals can help licensed operators stand apart from unregulated sites.
Companies should explain payment methods, withdrawal checks, processing times, and account rules before customers deposit money.
They should also provide clear support channels when a payment is delayed, or a player has a complaint.
Improve Player Protection
Age and identity checks help stop underage gambling and reduce account misuse. Effective KYC verification remains non-negotiable for modern casino platforms. Deposit limits, time limits, and self-exclusion tools give customers more control over their activity.
Operators should make these tools easy to find and explain how they work. Player protection should be part of the service, not just a legal requirement.
Use Responsible Marketing
Licensed brands should avoid advertising that promises guaranteed wins or presents gambling as a way to earn money.
They should also monitor affiliate partners and advertising campaigns. If an affiliate promotes an operator through misleading claims, it can damage consumer trust in the licensed market.
Help Players Check Before They Bet
Operators can share IAGR’s campaign materials and direct customers to CheckBeforeYouPlay.org.
They can also publish simple guides explaining how to check a licence, recognise suspicious offers and report unlicensed websites.
These steps help players make informed choices before sharing personal details or depositing money.
Why Awareness Alone is Not Enough
IAGR’s campaign gives regulators and operators a shared message, but awareness must lead to action.
Players need easy ways to check licences.
Regulators need to act against illegal websites and the services that support them.
Licensed operators must also offer clear rules, reliable igaming payment systems, and useful protection tools.
The campaign’s long-term value will depend on continued cooperation after 13 November. Sharing information across markets and responding to consumer reports will remain important.
For operators, the message is clear: competing with offshore gambling means showing players why local licensing matters.
Trust, clear information and strong player protection can help make the regulated market a safer choice.
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