Greece Unveils Sweeping Bill to Combat Illegal Gambling, Targets €500M in Lost Revenue

New Legislation Targets €1.6 Billion Black Market

Greece is set to implement a robust new legislative framework aimed at eradicating illegal gambling activities, a move spearheaded by Kyriakos Pierrakakis, the Minister of National Economy and Finance. The government estimates that the illegal gambling market in Greece is worth approximately €1.6 billion, resulting in an annual loss of at least €500 million in public revenues. A formal decree outlining these measures is anticipated in the first half of 2026, following a public consultation period expected in autumn 2025.

Minister Pierrakakis emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, 'The numbers are shocking. This is not simply a leak of public resources, we are combatting a deep social pathology that requires a modern and uncompromising response.' He further added, 'This isn't just about money – it's about addressing a serious societal issue.'

Stricter Penalties for Operators and Players

The proposed bill introduces significantly tougher penalties for those involved in illegal gambling. Organizers of illicit operations could face prison sentences of up to ten years and substantial fines ranging from €50,000 to €100,000. Repeat offenses, professional-scale activities, and the involvement of minors will trigger even more severe sanctions.

In a notable shift, the new framework will also hold players criminally liable for repeated participation in illegal gambling. Authorities will gain expanded powers, including the immediate closure of physical venues such as internet cafés and private clubs found hosting illegal gambling. Businesses found complicit risk license revocation, and individuals obstructing inspections or facilitating illicit activities will face criminal charges.

Technological Advancements and Data Collaboration

To effectively combat the online dimension of illegal gambling, Greece plans to deploy advanced technological measures:

• An AI-driven real-time surveillance system to detect illicit online platforms.
• Enhanced DNS filtering to block access to unlicensed websites, with over 11,000 sites already blacklisted.
• Increased cooperation with the Bank of Greece to cross-reference user data, platform activity, and financial transactions.

Scale of the Problem and Societal Impact

Research conducted by the Hellenic Gaming Supervision and Control Board (EEEP) and Kapa Research highlights the widespread nature of the problem. In 2024, approximately 9.5% of the Greek population, equating to around 799,000 people, engaged in illegal gambling at least once.

The data indicates that roughly 390,000 individuals gambled illegally online, while 215,000 did so in physical locations. An additional 194,000 consumers utilized both channels. The average annual expenditure per illegal player was estimated at €1,934. The demographic most affected is primarily men aged 25 to 44, with growing concerns about increased participation among students and young adults.