Tesco has notified City of London police after discovering its branding was used without authorization in advertisements for illegal casino operations on Facebook and Instagram. The supermarket chain joins a growing list of recognized brands and public figures that have had their identities misused in what authorities characterize as coordinated scam activity by unlicensed gambling operators.
The fraudulent “Tesco casino” maintained a dedicated Facebook page and operated a website claiming to be the official casino of the supermarket chain. The site leveraged Tesco’s reputation and history as a FTSE 100 company to attract customers, despite lacking any legal authorization to provide gambling services in Great Britain. Similar schemes have targeted other major financial institutions and retail brands, including Barclays bank and Monzo online bank, as well as sports personalities including Lewis Hamilton, Tyson Fury, Jude Bellingham, and Bruno Fernandes.
The Gambling Commission and Advertising Standards Authority have acknowledged awareness of the problem but have reported limited success in preventing the proliferation of such advertisements. Meta stated it removed the ads following inquiries but indicated it believes advertisers rather than platforms bear responsibility for regulatory compliance. Law enforcement and regulatory bodies continue to investigate the matter, with the Gambling Commission noting it will gain expanded authority to address unlicensed websites later in the year.
Many of the unauthorized casinos claim licensing from jurisdictions such as Curacao in the Caribbean, which is recognized as a haven for operators without authorization in major economies. Industry representatives have called for stronger regulatory action, arguing that the operations exploit consumers and established businesses while allowing technology platforms to profit from hosting their advertisements. The unauthorized use of brand intellectual property remains outside the Gambling Commission’s direct regulatory scope, though authorities indicate ongoing coordination with relevant agencies.
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