Greece blocks 11,000 illegal gambling sites, plans tougher enforcement
Greece’s gambling regulator has identified and blocked around 11,000 illegal gambling websites, as authorities prepare new legislation aimed at tightening enforcement against unlicensed operators and strengthening player protection.
The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) said the blocked sites are domains linked to illegal online betting and gaming, reflecting what it described as a sharp rise in unlawful activity. The figures were presented by the regulator’s new leadership during a briefing with journalists.
Despite enforcement efforts, the illegal betting and unlicensed gambling market, largely online, is estimated at between €1.6 billion ($1.88 billion) and €1.7 billion ($1.99 billion) annually, according to the EEEP. The authority said the market has shown only a slight downward trend in recent years.
The regulator warned that enforcement remains challenging as around 10,000 new domains are registered each month globally. To speed up identification of illegal sites, the EEEP is seeking closer cooperation with Greece’s telecommunications and postal regulator to gain access to domain registries.
Combating illegal gambling and strengthening player protection form the core of the regulator’s strategy, particularly the protection of vulnerable groups and minors, which is set out in its 2026–2030 strategic plan.
“The protection of vulnerable groups, and especially minors, is a core objective of our strategic plan for 2026–2030,” the regulator said. “Addressing illegal gambling and implementing effective responsible gaming measures are our top priorities.”
The EEEP cited research showing that illegal gambling is widespread among minors, pointing to a European study that found one in three 16-year-olds had participated in illegal online gambling.
The regulator plans to submit a new gambling bill to the Ministry of National Economy and Finance that would give it stronger and more interventionist enforcement powers. Proposed measures include the ability to immediately halt advertising linked to illegal gambling operations.
Licensed operators are also expected to play an active role in tackling illegal gambling, with the EEEP stressing that enforcement cannot rely solely on supervisory action.
Beyond online gambling, the proposed reforms include a clearer framework for casino licensing and location planning. The regulator said integrated tourist complexes with casinos are operating at a high level of maturity and responsibility, with two major projects in Ellinikon and Marousi expected to become operational in 2028.
For smaller regional casinos, the EEEP plans to move from open-ended licences granted under older frameworks to a concession-based model. Recent developments include the revocation of the Patras casino licence and debt restructuring processes involving casinos in Corfu and Thrace.
The regulator acknowledged broader challenges in policing the sector, noting that illegal operators often remain technologically ahead of authorities and that excessive regulation can push players towards the black market.
“Internationally, the illegal betting and gambling industry is often one step ahead of supervisory authorities,” it said. “Over-regulation can also contribute to the growth of illegal gambling, which is why we must find the right balance.”
To strengthen oversight, the EEEP is investing in data analytics, real-time monitoring, automated licensing procedures, and advanced information systems, alongside organisational restructuring and workforce expansion as part of a wider digital transformation strategy.