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Report Unveils Growing Migration Towards Black Market Gambling
A report by Social Intent highlights an alarming trend of UK residents shifting towards unregulated gambling platforms. This shift is influenced by various external factors affecting vulnerable demographics, including young people and online influencers.
What Did the Report Find?
The Black Market Evaluation Report conducted by Social Intent provides insights from over 1,250 children and 300 adults, revealing significant usage of black market gambling. It reports:
- Over 420,000 schoolchildren in the UK may be involved in unregulated gambling.
- 67% of participants in the UK’s Gamstop self-exclusion scheme have resorted to black market sites.
- 84% of gambling content creators promote unregulated platforms, with some channels garnering over a million views monthly.
- Reported deposits exceeding £10 million, along with widespread issues of scams and withheld winnings.
- Consumers often struggle to distinguish between regulated and unregulated sites, highlighting a need for better public awareness.
Call for Action
Social Intent’s representatives stress that the report’s findings highlight how excessive regulation can unintentionally drive consumers towards the black market, reducing their access to help. They advocate for regulations that protect vulnerable consumers without pushing them into unregulated spaces.
Source
Key Points
- Alarming rise of black market gambling among young individuals in the UK.
- Self-exclusion program, Gamstop, not effective as 67% bypass restrictions via illegal sites.
- Majority of influencers promote unregulated platforms, raising concerns about consumer safety.
- Growing public confusion regarding regulated vs unregulated gambling sites.
- Need for balanced regulations to prevent migration to unregulated platforms.
Why should I read this?
This article is crucial for understanding the challenges posed by black market gambling in the UK, particularly its impact on vulnerable groups. It raises significant concerns regarding consumer safety, public awareness, and the influences of online content creators. Staying informed on these issues is essential for anyone involved in or affected by the gambling space.
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