The UK Gambling Commission has posted a job opening for a senior ‘Head of Illegal Markets’ position, paying £65,000 a year. The hire comes as new research shows the country’s unlicensed gambling market has grown to £16.6 billion in 2025 — more than triple its size in 2019.
Why the role was created
The regulator is looking for someone to lead its fight against illegal gambling operators, which have been eating into the licensed sector. The job listing, posted on the commission’s careers page, describes the role as a senior leadership post within the enforcement team.
Whoever takes the job will be responsible for developing strategy, coordinating with law enforcement, and overseeing investigations into unlicensed websites and street-level betting rings. The salary of £65,000 sits near the upper end for similar public-sector enforcement roles, though it’s well below what private-sector compliance officers often earn.
Black market figures that drove the decision
The Betting and Gaming Council, an industry body, published data this month showing the UK black market has swelled to £16.6 billion. That’s up from roughly £5 billion in 2019, before the pandemic and before the government’s 2023 white paper on gambling reform. The council argues the growth proves that tighter regulations have pushed punters toward unlicensed sites rather than stopping them from betting.
The £16.6 billion figure covers everything from online casinos based offshore to local bookies who take cash bets without a licence. The council’s research also found that 1.5 million British adults now gamble with unlicensed operators at least once a month.
Timing amid a leadership shake-up
The job advert went live during a transition period at the Gambling Commission. The regulator’s chief executive, Andrew Rhodes, is stepping down later this year. His replacement hasn’t been announced yet, which means the new head of illegal markets will start under an interim leadership team.
Some industry watchers see the move as a signal that the commission is trying to get tougher on enforcement before a new CEO settles in. Others note that a single £65,000 post won’t make a dent in a £16.6 billion problem unless the commission gets more funding from the government.
What the new hire will face
The illegal market’s growth has been concentrated in online casino games and sports betting, where offshore operators accept UK punters despite not holding a Gambling Commission licence. Many of those sites use cryptocurrency and VPNs to dodge detection. The commission has blocked hundreds of domains in recent years, but new ones pop up just as fast.
The head of illegal markets will also have to deal with enforcement on the ground. Unlicensed betting shops still operate in some cities, often linked to organised crime. The job description mentions building relationships with police forces and the National Crime Agency.
Applications close on 12 June. The commission hasn’t said when it expects the successful candidate to start, but the role is listed as full-time and permanent.
