The Grand National is expected to see a rise in illegal betting, with nearly £10 million projected to be wagered through unregulated channels, posing risks to player safety, tax revenue losses, and the horse racing industry. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) warns of the increasing influence of black-market operators on the event, with an estimated £9.4 million to be placed illegally, accounting for 3.8% of the total expected wagers.

Illegal betting platforms operate outside UK regulations, not contributing to tax revenues or player protection measures, raising concerns about crime, player safety, and financial impacts. The UK government stands to lose substantial tax revenues and contributions to the horseracing levy, while the legal betting industry faces threats from unregulated services.

Research shows a significant increase in UK-based traffic to unlicensed betting websites, with young adults particularly vulnerable to using black-market operators. Industry leaders are calling for balanced regulation to protect bettors and maintain a competitive legal gambling market, emphasizing the need for a stable tax regime to combat the black market menace. The challenge for regulators will be to find the right balance between enforcing safeguards and keeping betting within the legal market.