Illegal TikTok Lotteries: UKGC Warns Consumers Against Social Media Raffles

The British gambling regulator has uncovered a worrying trend that significantly threatens consumer safety online. Illegal lotteries and raffles are spreading rapidly across social networks, with TikTok identified as one of the most critical channels. Many participants are deceived by a professional appearance and low barriers to entry, without questioning whether the providers even hold the necessary licenses. The authority sees an urgent need for action, as the line between harmless entertainment and illegal gambling is increasingly blurred.

It is particularly striking that the masterminds behind these offers use psychological tricks to build trust. By using well-known payment service providers and an informal presentation, the threshold for users to join drops drastically. Many consumers evaluate the safety of an offer not by its legal status, but by whether the draw appears "real" or whether friends have already participated. This significantly complicates the regulatory work, as classic warning signs for fraud or illegality often no longer apply in the digital world of influencers.

Numbers and facts

The UK Gambling Commission removed a total of 252 illegal lotteries from social media platforms over the past 12 months. This figure illustrates the scale of the regulatory interventions. According to the Commission's intelligence team, there was a significant increase in reports of suspected illegal raffles on TikTok in 2025 compared to the previous year. The regulator commissioned Yonder Consulting to conduct a detailed study to better understand consumer behavior.

A central problem remains the 18 to 24-year-old age group. Researchers found that young adults are most likely to encounter illegal operations on TikTok. However, the Commission admitted that recruiting participants in this age group for studies was extremely difficult. As a result, the authority does not yet have a comprehensive understanding of the specific consumer journeys of these young people. Future research will aim to close this gap to develop more targeted prevention measures.

"Our aim is to continue strengthening the evidence base using innovative approaches so that we can better understand consumer experiences, identify emerging risks and target regulatory action where it can have the greatest impact in a digital ecosystem that’s rapidly changing." - Rupam Jagota, Research and Impact Manager for the Commission

Background

The report highlights that many hosts of these lotteries either do not understand the current rules or deliberately circumvent them. Obscured language is often used to hide the gambling nature of the activity. Additionally, some operators use private groups and messaging services for processing payments and entries, which makes detection by platform operators' algorithms more difficult. The UKGC announced it will intensify cooperation with website providers, social media companies, and payment providers to proactively stop such illegal activities.

Interestingly, participants perceive the risk as lower when ticket prices are low. The informal nature of the presentation, often streamed directly from a bedroom or a car via smartphone, suggests a proximity to the provider that is missing in state-licensed lotteries. However, this "approachability" is deceptive, as no legal recourse or player protection mechanisms are in place in the event of fraud.

Why it matters for German players

In Germany, the legal situation is very strict due to the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). Any form of public gambling, including online lotteries, requires explicit approval from the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). The current warnings from the UK can be applied almost one-to-one to the German market. In this country too, illegal providers are increasingly using platforms like TikTok or Instagram to target young people. German players should be aware that participating in such "social media raffles" is generally illegal.

Furthermore, none of the protection mechanisms prescribed in Germany, such as the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros or the connection to the LUGAS blocking system, apply to these offers. There is no stake limit of 1 euro per game and no guaranteed payout of winnings. Anyone participating in such raffles not only risks their money but may also be liable to prosecution. The safest way is to check the official GGL whitelist to find verified providers.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For licensed providers in Germany, this trend represents serious competition from the black market. While GGL casinos must follow strict advertising requirements and player protection rules, illegal lotteries operate completely without restrictions. This distorts competition. The GGL must therefore, similar to the UKGC, look more closely at social media to fulfill the channeling mandate of the state treaty. Only if the illegal market is consistently combated can legal providers reach their full potential and keep players in a protected environment.