Public pressure over the state of gambling in the country has lawmakers taking action
Greece is preparing a sweeping reform of its gambling laws in an effort to curb the country’s thriving black-market sector, which government officials say is draining public revenue and fueling social risks. Finance and Economy Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis confirmed that his ministry is working on a new legislative framework aimed at cracking down on unlicensed operators through tougher enforcement and advanced monitoring systems.
According to government estimates, illegal gambling in Greece generates roughly €1.6 billion (US$1.87 billion) in wagers each year, with about €500 million (US$585 million) in potential tax revenue lost.
A study conducted by the Hellenic Gaming Supervision and Control Commission (EEEP) and Kapa Research revealed that approximately 800,000 Greeks — close to 9.5% of the population — engaged in illegal gambling in 2024. Of those, 390,000 played online, 215,000 used unlicensed venues, and nearly 200,000 utilized both channels. The research also found that the average annual spend per player was €1,934 (US$2,263), with nearly one-third gambling exclusively on unlicensed websites.
The upcoming legislative package, scheduled for consultation in autumn 2025, is expected to authorize immediate closures of illegal gambling establishments, license revocations for businesses caught cooperating with illicit operators, and even custodial sentences for individuals found obstructing regulatory efforts.
On the digital side, authorities plan to expand existing DNS blocking to restrict access to over 11,000 blacklisted websites. Additionally, an artificial intelligence system will be deployed to track betting transactions and player behavior in real time, working alongside financial data provided by the Bank of Greece.
The government also intends to invest in preventive measures, including awareness campaigns, enhanced self-exclusion programs, and tax incentives designed to strengthen the appeal of the regulated market. These reforms follow the creation of a joint taskforce earlier this year, uniting regulators, law enforcement, financial intelligence units, and the judiciary to tackle criminal networks behind illegal gambling.
The Greek initiative is drawing attention across Europe, with policymakers in Poland, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands calling for stronger EU-wide coordination to address the rapid growth of unlicensed online gambling.
