TLDR A fake Tesco-branded gambling website operated in the UK without a Gambling Commission licence Facebook ads promoted the fake casino until Meta removed them after being contacted Barclays, Monzo, and several sports stars have also had their identities used in casino scams Tesco reported the matter to the National Cyber Security Centre and Report Fraud The Gambling Commission expects new powers this autumn to fight illegal gambling sites
A website posing as an official Tesco casino remained live in the UK over the weekend. It had no licence from the Gambling Commission and no real link to the supermarket.
The site did more than borrow the Tesco name. It used Facebook ads and ran its own Facebook page. It even compared its slot game layout to Tesco’s physical stores.
Tesco has reported the issue to the National Cyber Security Centre and to Report Fraud, a service run by City of London Police. Police confirmed the complaint but had not assigned it to a formal investigation as of Sunday.
Meta removed the Facebook ads after being contacted by a reporter from the Guardian.
Other Big Brands Targeted Too
Tesco is not alone. Barclays and Monzo branding has shown up in gambling promotions without permission.
Coral and Gala Bingo, both owned by Entain, have also been impersonated. Sports figures have been pulled in as well.
Lewis Hamilton’s image appeared next to Barclays-themed gambling content. Tyson Fury found a casino using his name and publicly denied any connection to it.
Jude Bellingham and Bruno Fernandes have also had their identities used by gambling operators without consent. None of these athletes endorsed the sites.
One crypto casino called Rainbet used an ad featuring someone resembling footballer Erling Haaland. Rainbet claimed a licence from Anjouan and was not available to UK