Greece is intensifying its efforts to suppress illegal and unlicensed gambling activities. The government estimates these activities cost the state around €400 million in lost revenue last year, it was announced on Thursday.
Regulators and lawmakers aim to curtail a burgeoning black market that exposes players to fraud risks and data security issues.
The enforcement push comes at a pivotal moment for a market that has been hailed as a thriving European iGaming hub.
New criminal penalties for unlicensed gambling
The Greek government has proposed stringent criminal penalties aimed at deterring unlicensed gambling operations according to regional media reports.
Under the draft legislation, due to take effect this spring, organisers of illicit gambling activities face up to ten years in prison and fines of up to €800,000.
Advertisers and social media influencers promoting such activities may be fined up to €50,000. The legislation paves the way for prosecuting repeat offenders who participate in illegal gambling.
The Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) found that 10% of respondents to a 2025 study cited that influencers were their direct route into an illegal gambling website.
Alongside new legal measures, the HGC is deploying advanced technical tools, including AI-driven monitoring systems. This is to identify and swiftly block unlawful gambling websites.
This enforcement escalation complements broader regulatory initiatives. In recent months, the regulator has worked with Greece’s national health authorities to strengthen responsible gambling safeguards and tackle addiction risks. This is part of a coordinated approach highlighted in previous reporting on joint regulatory and public health efforts.
The black market still blooms
Government data from August 2025 estimated that unlicensed gambling transactions totalled approximately €1.67 billion in wagers for 2024. This figure translates to nearly 799,000 individuals, around 9.5% of Greece’s population, being involved in illegal gambling.
The illicit market’s size remains roughly stable compared to 2023. The average illegal spend per participant was at about €2,089 in 2024.
The scale of illegal gambling underscores ongoing challenges in eradicating unregulated play, resulting in significant financial and social consequences. The Government’s Commission for the Supervision and Control of Gambling has uncovered thousands of unlicensed gambling domains over the last three years. Recent enforcement efforts have blocked approximately 11,000 domains.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/regulation/greece-cracks-down-unlicensed-gambling-recover-400-million/
