Gambling regulators in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the UK have issued a joint statement, announcing a collaboration against the proliferation of illegal gambling operations. Authorities emphasised the borderless nature of black-market gambling platforms and the risks that they pose to public health as the reason behind the cooperation agreement.
Gambling Regulators in Europe Join Forces to Counter the Rise of Illegal Operations: Key Takeaways
- The decision was formalised on November 12 at a meeting hosted by the Spanish regulatory body, the Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ), in Madrid. The regulators later issued a joint statement, confirming the partnership.
- All seven regulators have agreed to share information on illegal gambling sites operating across their jurisdictions. They have also called on social media networks to block ad campaigns promoting illegal gambling sites.
- The agreement formed a prelude to the 1st International Gaming Congress, which focused on the impact of cross-border remote gambling, the importance of establishing a safe environment, and collaborating against unregulated operators.
Fight Against Illegal Gambling: A Paramount Task for Regulators
Seven of Europe’s top gambling regulators have formed an alliance to counter the rising menace of cross-border illegal gambling. Regulators in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the UK formalised the pact on November 12 during a meeting hosted by Spain’s Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) in Madrid.
On Tuesday, November 25, the UKGC published a joint statement explaining that countering “illegal online gambling is one of the paramount tasks facing regulated jurisdictions.” It also addressed the “borderless nature” and the “speed of technological advancements”, the two factors responsible for the spread of unregulated gambling.
Officials noted that illegal gambling undermines the entire framework designed for public welfare. They pointed to the rampant use of social media, digital platforms, and affiliate networks for promoting illegal gambling sites. The ads violate national regulations and pose a significant threat to vulnerable citizens, including minors and those prone to addiction.
The statement read:
The fight against illegal online gambling is one of the paramount tasks facing regulated jurisdictions. Its borderless nature and the speed of technological innovation make it easier for illegal operators to evade regulatory oversight. This creates significant risks for consumer and public health protection, endangers public order and harms the activity of legitimate operators. In short, illegal online gambling undermines the entire regulatory framework designed to protect the public interest. In this context, we express our common concern regarding the increasing proliferation of advertising targeting our jurisdictions by unauthorised operators, particularly through digital channels such as social media, video platforms, and affiliate networks. These activities not only violate our national laws but also expose citizens — including minors and vulnerable individuals — to significant risks associated with illegal gambling.
Operators Pledge to Focus on Core Areas of Cooperation
As online gambling grows popular in Europe, with players frequenting online casinos in Austria, Finland, and other jurisdictions, the need for cross-border collaboration is apparent. UKGC Chief Andrew Rhodes has emphasised the fight against black-market betting during the 2025 CEO Briefing speech.
The UKGC has also signed a follow-up Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dutch gambling regulator (KSA) to strengthen regulatory oversight. The latest alliance relies on the same principles aimed at mitigating the influx of unregulated gambling nationwide.
The agreement emphasises three core areas of cooperation:
- Sharing information on known illegal operators in the seven jurisdictions
- Urging social media platforms and digital networks to strengthen their control mechanisms to prevent content promoting illegal gambling
- Step up efforts to identify, investigate, and sanction operators violating the law
The agreement served as a prelude to the 1st International Gaming Congress hosted in Madrid, between November 13 and 14. The theme of the conference was the social impact of gaming, bringing together government officials, gambling operators, and industry veterans to discuss the regulatory challenges and the social effects of gaming.