The United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission has accused Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, of allowing unlicensed gambling advertisements to appear across its social media platforms. Regulators say the company is “turning a blind eye” to online casinos promoting illegal gambling to British users.
TL;DR
- The UK Gambling Commission alleges Meta failed to block illegal gambling ads.
- Unlicensed operators have promoted “not on GamStop” casinos on Meta’s platforms.
- Executive director Tim Miller says Meta ignored repeated warnings.
- Meta has not yet responded to the allegations.
Gambling Commission’s Allegations
The UK Gambling Commission said Meta has allowed illegal gambling promotions to circulate on Facebook and Instagram. Tim Miller, the regulator’s executive director, stated that Meta continues to host advertisements from unlicensed operators that target UK users despite clear violations of national gambling laws.
Speaking at the ICE Barcelona conference, Miller said the regulator found examples of such ads within Meta’s public ad library. “If we can find them, so can Meta,” he said. Miller described the company’s lack of action as “effectively a window into criminality,” criticising Meta for insufficient oversight of paid advertisements.
Unlicensed Gambling Promotions
Miller said many of the advertisements explicitly referred to operators “not on GamStop,” referring to the UK’s official self-exclusion programme. Gambling operators licensed in the UK are required to participate in GamStop, which allows people to block themselves from online gambling services.
By hosting these ads, Miller said Meta was enabling businesses that operate outside of Britain’s regulatory framework. “The impression is that Meta is quite happy to turn a blind eye and continue taking money from criminals and scammers until someone shouts about it,” he said, adding that the regulator had made only “very limited progress” in getting Meta to remove the ads.
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Meta’s Response
Meta has not publicly commented on the Gambling Commission’s accusations. Reuters reported that the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.
The Gambling Commission urged Meta to use automated filters, keyword detection, and stricter review processes to prevent unlicensed gambling operators from advertising on its platforms. Regulators said Meta should take “proactive steps” to stop illegal promotions before they reach UK users.
Wider Concerns Over Online Advertising
The allegations against Meta highlight a growing debate about the responsibility of social media platforms to screen advertising content. Regulators across Europe have expressed concern over the spread of fraudulent or unregulated ads, particularly in sectors such as gambling, finance, and cryptocurrency.
Under UK law, only gambling companies licensed by the Gambling Commission are allowed to advertise to British consumers. The regulator said that continued publication of illegal ads undermines consumer protection and could expose social media companies to legal scrutiny if they fail to act.
Industry Reactions
Representatives of licensed UK gambling firms have welcomed the regulator’s intervention, saying that illegal advertising poses risks to both consumers and legitimate operators. Analysts believe the remarks could prompt renewed government oversight into how social media platforms manage gambling-related advertising.
The Gambling Commission said it would continue to engage with Meta to ensure compliance and prevent further distribution of unlawful gambling promotions.
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