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Illegal sports streaming has become a driving force behind a massive $67 billion illegal online gambling market in the U.S., according to a recent report by Yield Sec for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG).
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Yield Sec’s research reveals how these unauthorized sports streams significantly benefit illicit gambling websites, which rely on stolen premium sports content to attract users. Once visitors access these illegal sites, they’re frequently targeted by cybercriminals through malware, spyware, and keyloggers.
Derek Webb, founder of CFG, described the issue as “a dark nexus” that connects global tech crimes with illegal gambling. Webb urged the U.S. government to act urgently, highlighting that the $67 billion involved exceeds America’s trade deficit with nearly every nation, except six.
The CFG study also detailed how legalized but poorly regulated online gambling markets could unintentionally boost the illegal sector. According to the 2024 USA National Online Gambling Report by CFG, illegal online gambling generated about 74% of the country’s total gross gambling revenue (GGR).
The report explains that when states legalize online sports betting without proper regulatory enforcement, per capita gambling spending as a percentage of average income spikes from 0.31% to 0.77%—a jump of 148%. When states legalize both online casinos and sports betting, spending increases even more dramatically, rising by 261% to 1.12% of mean income.
This situation creates a paradox: simply legalizing online gambling does not eliminate illegal operators. Instead, CFG emphasizes that effective regulation must accompany strong enforcement actions to genuinely curb illicit activity and protect consumers.
Illegal sports streaming also poses severe financial damage to official broadcasters and sports leagues, eroding their revenues and undermining their business models.