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Greek authorities have widened their campaign against illegal online gambling, this time targeting social media influencers accused of promoting unlicensed betting platforms to hundreds of thousands of followers.
Criminal cases have been opened against 18 influencers and streamers, according to the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP). The move comes just days after Greece approved new gambling legislation that gives regulators stronger powers to tackle illegal operators and the growing online market.
The investigation was revealed by EEEP president Antonis Bartholomew during the 4th Greek Online Gaming Day. Greek media later reported that criminal proceedings had already begun against the individuals identified by the regulator.
Social Media Becomes the Next Battleground
The first wave of cases includes five influencers with a combined audience of more than three million followers. Individual accounts reportedly attracted between 337,000 and 623,000 followers, giving gambling promotions the potential to reach vast audiences within minutes.
Regulators have become increasingly concerned that social media personalities are helping direct users toward betting sites that operate outside Greece’s licensing system. Officials are particularly worried that minors are regularly exposed to this type of content, making influencer marketing one of the regulator’s biggest enforcement priorities.
The focus is no longer limited to illegal gambling websites themselves. Authorities are now following the marketing channels that help those operators find customers.
A Market Worth Billions
The latest enforcement effort reflects the scale of Greece’s unlicensed gambling sector.
Figures presented during the industry conference suggest around 900,000 people took part in illegal gambling during 2025—more than 10% of the country’s population. Regulators estimate the black market generates roughly €2 billion each year while costing the government about €400 million in lost tax revenue.
Those numbers have pushed lawmakers to give the EEEP more tools to disrupt the industry.
Tougher Rules Reach Beyond Gambling Operators
Under legislation approved last week, the regulator will expand its staff from 80 to 110 employees and receive broader enforcement powers.
The reforms also bring banks, payment providers and electronic money institutions into the fight. Financial companies operating in Greece will be required to block payments connected to unlicensed gambling platforms, cutting off both player deposits and winnings.
Alongside those financial controls, Greece has expanded its blacklist system to include mobile apps, signalling that authorities are trying to close off more of the routes illegal operators use to reach players.
Source: igamingexpress.com
