Trustpilot, a platform for discovering reliable businesses, is displaying user ratings for unlicensed casinos, prompting worries in Parliament about dangers to users. In recent years, unauthorized gambling operators connected to financial losses, dependency issues, and even self-harm have proliferated in the UK, frequently aiming at individuals who have opted out of regulated betting. Nevertheless, Trustpilot includes feedback on major unlicensed platforms, as uncovered in a probe by the Guardian and Investigate Europe into the illicit Santeda network, treating them like valid enterprises. The Guardian’s examination identified reviews for Santeda brands such as MyStake, Velobet, and Goldenbet, which lack approval from the Gambling Commission. Providing betting services without such authorization is illegal. Yet, Trustpilot featured pages commending these sites for elements like diverse slot options and quick performance. The site also had sections for affiliates that direct users to these platforms. Following inquiries from the Guardian, Trustpilot removed the affiliate pages. However, it seemed to indicate that feedback on unlicensed casinos complied with its guidelines. A representative from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport voiced alarm over these listings. ‘We are highly troubled by all illegal betting activities, including the rise in unregulated online casinos,’ they stated. ‘This highlights the value of our new taskforce against illicit gambling,’ they noted, mentioning £26 million in funding from the November budget. ‘Immediate joint efforts are essential to safeguard users and guide those interested in betting toward licensed options for secure participation,’ the department continued. Labour MP Alex Ballinger, an advocate for stricter betting rules, expressed unease about the reviews, noting Trustpilot’s role in assuring business credibility. ‘There is no valid reason to highlight platforms barred from UK operations that fuel greater betting-related damage and revenue losses,’ he said. Trustpilot stated it views the dangers of unregulated betting with utmost seriousness and maintains procedures to detect and address such entities on its site. It emphasized that unlawful operations are prohibited and that it enforces an internal policy, resulting in the deletion of 3,400 unlicensed gambling profiles last week. Nonetheless, it clarified that it does not validate or confirm business legitimacy. ‘As an open forum for sharing user experiences, a profile’s existence does not suggest official endorsement or licensing.’ Although it eliminated affiliate reviews, it retained those for the unauthorized operators highlighted by the Guardian. ‘We examined the cases you mentioned and addressed violations of our rules,’ it added. ‘The expansion of unlicensed and international betting providers presents a wider challenge under review by industry overseers. We track this area diligently and refine our strategies as patterns shift. We will persist in intervening on infractions and adjusting our methods accordingly.’ In January, a coroner’s inquiry determined that unlicensed providers contributed to the circumstances surrounding the suicide of 36-year-old Ollie Long. The underground market has drawn heightened attention amid fears of its rapid expansion and focus on at-risk individuals, including those enrolled in GamStop, the national program for self-barring from gambling.
