Offshore Gambling Sites Exploit UK Self-Exclusion Scheme, Driving Illegal Market Growth
Ollie Long, aged 36, died by suicide after struggling with an eight-year gambling addiction. Despite registering with UK self-exclusion tools Gamban and GamStop, Ollie later engaged with offshore gambling sites. An international offshore network has been described as exploiting self-excluded gamblers by profiting from "Not on GamStop" sites.
These Not-on-GamStop platforms operate under offshore licenses, often from Curaçao, with examples including MyStake, Goldenbet, Donbet, and Velobet. Affiliates monetise clicks to these sites, which have increasingly dominated illegal UK gambling content. Data from Yield Sec indicates that around 84% of illegal UK gambling content originates from Not on GamStop sites, with illicit market takings rising sharply from £122m in 2022 to £583m last year.
In Ollie's final month, he made 55 transactions totalling approximately £5,000 to entities including Wintermads/WinterMDSE, which have connections to offshore operators such as Donbet/Santeda. Meanwhile, a separate ruling from the Financial Ombudsman Service found Donbet appears to be a legitimate operator, highlighting the ambiguity surrounding offshore platforms.
The UK Gambling Commission has received £26 million over three years to combat illicit operators. In the fourth quarter of 2025, record enforcement saw 214 websites removed by search engines and 180 UK blocks implemented. However, the government's planned £1 billion per year tax on licensed online gambling may unintentionally push customers toward offshore sites. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts a potential loss of up to £200 million in gambling duty revenue by 2029-30 as a result.
Experts are calling for stronger enforcement and greater accountability of Not on GamStop platforms and their advertising practices. Google search results for these sites remain a particular concern. Football betting stands out as a major growth driver, with nearly £10 billion wagered on football last year and operator takings of £1.3 billion.
