The Greek government has stated its intent to eradicate illegal gambling (land-based and online), viewed as both an economic threat to the state and a societal danger to communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ministry of National Economy and Finance<\/strong> has been charged with drafting a new legislative framework to prosecute illegal gambling operators, with specific IT and data-driven measures to tackle illicit online gambling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The mandate has been prioritised by Finance and Economy Minister, Kyriakos Pierrakakis<\/strong>, who told media that the government aims \u201cto stop the loss of \u20ac1.6bn ($1.74bn) annually, including \u20ac500m ($543m) in tax revenue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n New Economic Threat <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This pledge comes amid growing evidence that Greece\u2019s black-market gambling sector has reached alarming levels. According to recent research by the Hellenic Gaming Supervision and Control Commission (EEEP)<\/strong> and Kapa Research,<\/strong> 800,000 Greek citizens \u2014 approximately 9.5% of the population, engaged in illegal gambling during 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Among them, 390,000 gambled online, 215,000 did so at physical venues, and 194,000 used both channels. The average annual amount spent per player reached \u20ac1,934 ($2100), and 28% of respondents reported gambling exclusively on unlicensed websites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most participants are men aged 25 to 44, though the research also found a troubling rise in gambling among students and young adults \u2014 prompting concern among social policy experts and health authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Minister Pierrakakis said: \u201cThe numbers are shocking. This is not just a leak of public resources, but a deep social pathology. We are embarking on a determined effort to restructure the space with transparency, rigor and modern tools.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ministry\u2019s legislative package, set for public consultation in autumn 2025, is expected to introduce far-reaching structural reforms. These include the immediate closure of physical venues found facilitating illegal gambling, particularly internet caf\u00e9s and private clubs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Businesses proven to be complicit will face revocation of their operating licenses. Individuals obstructing regulatory inspections or enabling illicit activity will face criminal prosecution, including custodial sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Focus on digital surveillance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To counter the digital dimension of the threat, the government will expand DNS filtering mechanisms to block access to unlicensed gambling platforms \u2014 over 11,000 of which have already been blacklisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A new real-time digital surveillance system, powered by artificial intelligence, will be introduced to identify suspicious activity. Authorities will also begin systematic cross-checking of user data, platform activity, and financial flows, with cooperation from the Bank of Greece.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond enforcement, the government aims to promote prevention and legal alternatives. Public awareness campaigns will be launched to inform citizens of the risks, while self-exclusion tools will be made available for vulnerable individuals. The Ministry also plans to introduce tax incentives to support the legal gambling sector and encourage migration away from black-market platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hellas joint taskforce<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In a significant development in July, the EEEP established a joint taskforce with the national police, the judiciary, and the financial intelligence unit to dismantle criminal gambling networks and prosecute offenders.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spearheading what it described as a \u201ccollaborative approach,\u201d the Commission has called for broader cooperation among government agencies, regulators, and public bodies to engage in unified action against illegal gambling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Antonis Vartholomaios, President of the EEEP, stressed the importance of sustained institutional collaboration and long-term vigilance. \u201cWe are not dealing with isolated incidents, but with a deeply embedded and constantly evolving ecosystem of criminal activity,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur task is not simply enforcement, but building a resilient regulatory framework that can adapt to the digital age. This requires transparency, persistence, and inter-agency coordination \u2014 not as a one-time measure, but as a new standard of governance. We will not win this fight with legislation alone, but with unified commitment across the public sector.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n