{
  "id": 19674358,
  "title": "Black market bookies to take £500m in bets during National Hunt season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/black-market-bookies-to-take-500m-in-bets-during-national-hunt-season",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-12T15:40:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/black-market-bookies-to-take-500m-in-bets-during-national-hunt-season/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "According to the Betting and Gaming Council, black market bookmakers are anticipated to accept £500 million in wagers throughout the National Hunt season. The Cheltenham November Meeting, which begins this weekend, is projected to generate £10 million in bets for unlicensed gambling firms. The BGC contends that any bets placed with unlicensed operators represent a loss of revenue for the British racing industry and the government. Grainne Hurst, BGC's chief executive, stated, \"Britain's National Hunt season is one of the highlights of our sporting calendar, but criminal gambling operators are also looking to cash in, with £500m expected to be staked on the illegal black market.\" These operators do not contribute to British racing, pay no UK tax, and do not provide the essential protections that licensed bookmakers offer. The BGC pledges to collaborate closely with the government and the Gambling Commission to address the illegal black market, safeguard customers, and ensure that British racing continues to benefit from a robust, well-regulated betting industry.",
  "summary": "Black market bookmakers are forecast to take wagers totalling £500m during National Hunt season, the Betting and Gaming Council has warned. The industry body for UK regulated bookies says this weekend’s Cheltenham November Meeting is expected to generate £10m in bets for unlicensed gambling companies. The BGC argues that any bets placed with black market [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}