Greece is moving towards its strictest crackdown yet on illegal gambling. The government is preparing a zero-tolerance framework targeting both operators and repeat consumers. Led by Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, the law aims to address what officials describe as “a large and entrenched black market operating across online and physical channels”. A formal decree is expected in the first half of 2026, with stricter penalties aimed at reducing participation and recovering lost public revenue.
Greece Prepares to Crack Down on Unregulated Online Gambling: The Story at a Glance
- The Greek online gambling sector is preparing for a major overhaul as lawmakers plan to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to illegal gambling across online and physical markets. The reforms are being led by Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, with a formal decree expected in the first half of 2026.
- The government estimates the illegal gambling market to be worth €1.6 billion. It costs the state more than €500 million annually in lost revenue. Official data shows that around 9.5% of the population, or roughly 799,000 people, engaged in unlicensed gambling during 2024.
- Under the proposed framework, illegal operators could face prison sentences of up to ten years and fines of up to €100,000, while repeat consumers may be penalised. It also grants authorities additional power to shut down physical venues.
New Zero-Tolerance Policy Takes Shape
Lawmakers in Greece have been told that the state is no longer willing to treat unlicensed gambling as a minor issue. Officials have confirmed that all enforcement tools are under review, including prison sentences for organisers and fines for consumers who repeatedly use illegal platforms.
Athens is examining all options in the economic and social fight against black market iGaming operators. Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis is driving this policy change. He aims to advance legislation to close long-standing enforcement voids, in line with a wider government initiative to regulate the sector.
Greece maintains its ambition to become the first EU country to introduce a “comprehensive framework” dedicated to combating illegal gambling activities and related crimes. The decree is expected to outline new laws and tougher measures aimed at countering an illegal economy worth €1.6 billion, which has been costing the state more than €500m in lost revenue each year.
Lawmakers describe illegal gambling as a parallel shadow economy supported by organised networks and offshore digital platforms. Official data presented to parliament shows that in 2024, 9.5% of the population, or around 799,000 people, engaged in unlicensed gambling at least once.
Participants were spread across online and physical channels, further complicating enforcement efforts. The data indicates that approximately 390,000 people gambled illegally online, while about 215,000 did so in physical locations such as clubs and internet cafés.
An additional 194,000 consumers used both channels, underlining the close link between land-based and digital black markets. Officials argue that this overlap allows illegal operators to adapt quickly when enforcement action is underway.
Tougher Penalties Proposed for Operators and Consumers
At the core of the proposed reforms is a sharp increase in criminal penalties for illegal operators. Organising unlicensed gambling could result in prison sentences of up to ten years and fines ranging from €50,000 to €100,000. Penalties would be higher in cases involving repeat offences, professional-scale operations, the involvement of minors, or venues reopening after closure.
A significant policy change targets consumers who knowingly return to illegal platforms. Pierrakakis told lawmakers that “repeat participation will trigger punishment,” marking a departure from previous enforcement strategies that focused on operators and suppliers. Officials argue that blocking demand is essential, as illegal operators continue to flourish despite websites being blocked and venues being shut down.
Land-based enforcement is set to become more aggressive under the new framework. Authorities would gain powers to immediately seal premises hosting illegal gambling, with particular attention on internet cafés, private clubs, and unlicensed gaming halls. Municipalities would also be able to permanently revoke licences linked to illegal activity, preventing operators from reopening under new identities.
Lawmakers have expressed concerns about the age profile of illegal gamblers. The 18–34 age group now accounts for more than a quarter of all unlicensed gambling participation, increasing fears of early exposure to high-risk behaviour. Addressing the situation, Pierrakakis stated that “the protection of younger generations sits at the heart of this reform,” warning against platforms that “normalise unlawful play as everyday digital entertainment.”
Concluding the parliamentary briefing, Pierrakakis noted that “this is a modern regulatory response to a modern criminal economy”. The reforms aim to protect society, restore public revenues, and confront illegal gambling with meaningful consequences. If implemented, the strategy would place Greece among the strictest anti–black market gambling regimes in Europe.