The UK Gambling Commission has publicly accused Meta Platforms Inc. of deliberately "turning a blind eye" to illegal gambling advertisements running on its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The regulator's executive director, Tim Miller, delivered the criticism during a speech at the ICE gaming conference in Barcelona on January 19, 2026.
The Commission stated it has been monitoring Meta's public ad library and repeatedly found ads from gambling operators that lack the required UK license, yet are still able to target consumers in the country. Miller described the situation as "a window into criminal activity," arguing that if regulators can easily find these ads, Meta should be capable of using its own tools to identify and block them proactively.
Meta's own advertising policies require gambling businesses to hold valid licenses in the jurisdictions they target. However, the regulator highlighted a significant enforcement gap, noting it easily found ads using the keyword phrase "not on Gamstop"—a reference to the UK's self-exclusion scheme for problem gamblers. All licensed UK operators are mandated to integrate with Gamstop.
According to Miller, Meta suggested that regulators use artificial intelligence tools to find and report illegal ads, with the company promising to remove them once notified. The Commission expressed frustration with this reactive approach, with Miller stating it leaves the impression Meta is "quite happy to turn a blind eye and keep taking money from criminals and scammers until someone complains."
The watchdog emphasized that illegal gambling ads pose serious risks, harming vulnerable users while enriching criminal groups. Unlicensed operators do not pay taxes and often lack consumer protections. The UK has taken down hundreds of thousands of websites linked to illegal gambling, but enforcement remains a constant challenge.
The issue extends beyond the UK. A prior investigation found illegal gambling ads widespread on Meta's platforms in countries where gambling is outlawed, including India, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the Commission's remarks.
