TLDR Illegal offshore betting sites passed zero identity checks, accepting fake names like “Red Rum” and a 6-year-old living at Buckingham Palace Brands like MyStake, Velobet, and Cosmobet are openly advertising despite operating without UK licenses Social media influencers and tipster accounts are funneling users toward unregulated offshore bookmakers Common payment methods like bank cards and digital wallets make it easy for users to shift from legal to illegal sites Illegal operators now account for roughly 9% of the UK gambling market, threatening government tax revenue plans
The UK’s illegal gambling market is growing, and regulators are struggling to slow it down. A new report commissioned by Flutter UK & Ireland paints a troubling picture of how offshore betting sites are slipping through the cracks.
The report was carried out by fraud specialist Alex Wood. It tested how easy it was to open accounts on unlicensed gambling websites operating outside UK jurisdiction.
The results were striking. Wood created accounts using the names of well-known racing figures like Harry Skelton, Jack Kennedy, and trainer Willie Mullins. None of the sites flagged the fake identities.
In one test, Wood entered Cheltenham racecourse as his home address. The site accepted it without question.
Another attempt went even further. Wood signed up under the name Red Rum, listed his occupation as “racehorse,” and gave “horse heaven” as his address. The account was approved.
Perhaps the most alarming test involved registering as a 6-year-old living at Buckingham Palace. A different platform allowed that account to go through with no issues.
Offshore Brands Operating in Plain Sight
The report named several brands that are currently accessible to UK users despite lacking proper licenses. These include MyStake, Velobet, and Cosmobet.
MyStake recently attracted attention after announcing a partnership with former soccer star Ronaldinho. That