ILLEGAL black market bookies are in for a Boxing Day bonanza, with Brits set to stake up to £100million.
Industry analysis shows the non-taxpaying underground industry accounts for billions each year.
With Boxing Day estimated to represent around one per cent of annual betting, up to £100million could flow to the rogue operators in just 24 hours, according to H2 Gambling Capital data.
The Betting and Gaming Council said the figures reveal a growing illegal market — with no consumer protections, no age checks, no safer gambling tools and no UK tax.
It follows fury at Chancellor Rachel Reeves for hiking betting taxes, despite warnings it would drive punters to illicit sites.
The Sun’s Save Our Bets campaign is urging her to ditch the increases.
READ MORE ON GAMBLING TAX
Independent EY modelling suggests that the combined impact of the tax rises could divert more than £6billion in stakes to the black market, a 140 per cent surge.
It would also put nearly 17,000 jobs in online betting and gaming at risk.
Betting and Gaming Council chief exec Grainne Hurst said: “Boxing Day is one of the year’s biggest days for sport and betting.
“The black market is in for a huge payday, with up to £100million in illegal stakes. If higher taxes make regulated betting less attractive, the black market will be the winner.
“That is bad for consumers, jobs and public finances.”
