The UK Gambling Commission has launched a scathing attack on Meta Platforms, accusing the Facebook and Instagram parent company of deliberately turning a blind eye to illegal gambling advertisements on its platforms. Tim Miller, Executive Director of the regulatory body, made these pointed remarks during his address at the ICE Conference in Barcelona.
"Window to Criminal Activity"
According to Miller, the Commission's investigators easily identified numerous unlicensed operators targeting British users through simple searches in Meta's own advertising library. "If we can find them, Meta certainly can—they're simply choosing not to look," Miller stated bluntly. He characterized the current situation as an open "window to criminal activity," criticizing Meta for failing to enforce its own guidelines that require gambling advertisers to hold appropriate licenses.
Deliberate Targeting of Vulnerable Users
Particularly alarming is the nature of these advertisements. Many explicitly use search terms like "not on Gamstop"—directly referencing the UK's national self-exclusion system designed to protect problem gamblers. While licensed operators must block users registered with Gamstop, illegal operators deliberately target this vulnerable demographic through such keywords. This practice not only facilitates fraud but places consumers at significant risk, according to the regulator.
Dispute Over Responsibility
The conflict extends to questions of accountability. Meta reportedly suggested that the Commission develop its own AI tools to flag illegal advertisements, which the company would then remove. Miller dismissed this approach as wholly inadequate. He found it implausible that one of the world's largest technology companies lacks the capability to proactively filter its own systems. The impression created, Miller suggested, is that Meta is "happy to accept money from criminals until someone raises a loud objection."
Global Pattern of Non-Compliance
The issue transcends British borders. Investigations reveal widespread illegal gambling advertisements on Meta platforms across international markets including India, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia—even in jurisdictions where gambling is strictly prohibited by law.
