iGamingExpert

PAGCOR points to the Philippines’ looming black market threat

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Amidst continued speculation about the future of online gaming in the Philippines, PAGCOR has underpinned the significant economic impact of the regulated sector.

PAGCOR Chair and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco emphasised that a significant amount of fees stems from licensing in the country.

Tengco stated: “Because of its huge potential, online gaming has become an important source of funds for our nation-building commitments, including PAGCOR’s support for education, health care, and community development.

“Every peso we collect from the gaming sector translates to meaningful projects such as classrooms for our children, health programs for our people, and safe spaces for communities in times of calamity. This is how we ensure that gaming directly benefits Filipinos.”

PAGCOR and President Marcos’ Government have been at loggerheads in recent months as the country sits on the cusp of a new era of gambling regulation.

Speculation over a total ban on the vertical has been rife, with local media reporting that a total of four bills, three resolutions and a privilege speech addressing the impact of the online gaming industry will be discussed by the Philippine Senate’s Committee on Games and Amusements.

PAGCOR is not only pointing to the economic impact of the regulated market as a key reason for the market not to be outlawed, but also the looming threat of the black market.

“These illegal sites not only deprive the government of much-needed revenues but also expose Filipino players to numerous risks,” Tengco noted.

The PAGCOR CEO underpinned enhanced enforcement against the illegal sector, emphasising its “commitment to strengthening regulation and enforcement to ensure that only legitimate and properly monitored operators are allowed to operate”.

Recent research revealed specific concerns over the continued offering of e-sabong, also known as cockfighting.

Central to the enticing of players to the black market was the allure of juiced-up bonuses of 108%, epitomising the hurdles faced by the regulated market when it comes to tackling engagement with illegal operators.

At the heart of the differentiation in marketing approaches is the affiliate strategy undertaken by both the regulated and the unregulated sectors.

The report revealed that many unregulated operators provide lucrative affiliate programs, sometimes offering 45–65% of gross gaming revenue to attract strong collaborations.

iGaming Expert Analysis: The news narrative tug of war shows no signs of slowing in the Philippines. As we hurtle towards legislative clarity PAGCOR will be doing all it can to underpin the threat of the black market, in a bid to avoid what it would depict as disastrous prohibition action from Marcos’ government.

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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BetMGM expands GameSense RG messaging in NFL stadia

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BetMGM and MGM Resorts International are spreading responsible gaming messaging at select NFL stadiums for the third consecutive year, including at the Philadelphia Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field for the first time.

The GameSense messaging from the operators will be visible on LED ribbons at Lincoln Financial Field, which will host the opening game of the 2025 NFL season on Thursday night between the Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.

New for this season, messages will be featured prominently on stadium scoreboards during pre-game activities and also within gameday magazines.

Alongside Lincoln Financial Field, other NFL stadiums that will be promoting GameSense messaging this season include Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers), Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders), Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos), Ford Field (Detroit Lions), GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs), M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens), MetLife Stadium (New York Jets), Nissan Stadium (Tennessee Titans) and State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals).

Rhea Loney, Chief Compliance Officer at BetMGM, stated: “Placing GameSense in league stadiums gives us direct access to millions of fans each week. It’s a powerful platform to promote public awareness and amplify our company’s commitment to provide a safe and informed gambling experience.”

Responsible Gaming Education Month

MGM Resorts and BetMGM’s GameSense messaging is part of its partnership with the American Gaming Association (AGA) to promote Responsible Gaming Education Month, which takes place this month in the US.

First developed and licensed to MGM Resorts in 2017 by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, the GameSense programme “focuses on positive, transparent, and proactive engagements with guests and customers about how to gamble responsibly”.

Throughout September, customers will receive GameSense and the AGA’s Play Smart from the Start messaging via digital platforms, retail sportsbooks, Las Vegas marquees and the MGM Grand Live Dealer studio. BetMGM sportsbook will also send “take a time-out” and “budget before you bet” reminders to players with responsible gaming resources linked.

In addition, over 1,900 MGM Resorts employees have been trained through the GameSense Advisor programme, while BetMGM continues to provide lived-experience training to all its employees via its partnership with EPIC Global Solutions.

MGM Resorts is also announcing a $250,000 contribution to the International Center for Responsible Gaming, while both MGM Resorts and BetMGM will continue to support the AGA’s Have A Game Plan.Bet Responsibly. public service campaign.

Stephen Martino, SVP and Chief Compliance Officer at MGM Resorts, said: “Investing in our team members through extensive training and scientific research sets higher operational standards and elevates the guest experience. It also supports the long-term sustainability of our business and the communities where we operate.”

iGaming Expert: Given the attendance expected at Lincoln Financial Field for the NFL’s kickoff game between the Eagles and the Cowboys on Thursday night, the 2025 GameSense campaign should receive plenty of exposure.

It is vital that during showpiece occasions, the safer gambling message is provided with a platform as the industry looks to support those who need it most ahead of the new American football season.

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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Brazil takes new steps to strengthen marketing guidelines for influencers

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IAB Brasil (Interactive Advertising Bureau) has launched a guide for digital advertising in the sports betting and online gaming sector, underpinning the maturing of the market.

The document puts forward rules and best practices for responsible communication on online betting platforms. The initiative addresses the legal and ethical requirements that have emerged with the regulation of the sector in Brazil.

It was developed to guide agencies, digital influencers, and advertisers by establishing limits for the promotion of betting platforms. The guide aims to ensure that campaigns comply with the regulations of the Prizes and Betting Secretariat (SPA) and the guidelines of the National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (CONAR) – especially Annex X, which was created to set boundaries for the sector.

The publication reinforces IAB Brasil’s role in promoting best practices in the digital environment, and Denise Porto, CEO of IAB Brasil, highlighted the social role of regulated advertising.

“Regulated advertising plays an educational social role by informing the public about which platforms are safe and supervised,” she said. According to Porto, advertising helps build trustworthy brands that generate credibility and reduce the appeal of unregulated offers.

The guide consolidates the main legal and self-regulatory rules and guidelines applicable to betting advertising into a single document, highlighting points such as identification and transparency in advertising campaigns, licensing and compliance of operators, protection of minors and vulnerable groups, responsibility and prevention of reputational risks, and best practices for influencers and content creators.

Available for free download on the IAB website, the guide ensures broad access for all professionals working with advertising in the online betting sector.

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today athttps://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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OASIS self-exclusion proves effective for volatile German gambling market 

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OASIS, the central gambling self-exclusion system of Germany has recorded a major ramp-up in 2024 in-line with new measures imposed on licensed operators to improve player protection and customer intervention as part of regulatory remit of the Fourth Interstate Gambling Treaty (GlüNeuRStV),

Operated by the Darmstadt Regional Council under the oversight of the Bundesland of Hesse, the system is a key component of the (GlüNeuRStV) regime, in force since August 2021. OASIS acts as a centralised registry allowing players to block themselves from all licensed gambling platforms both online and land-based.

“The number of exclusions recorded in the OASIS player blocking system is increasing continuously,” the report states, “which suggests growing awareness and use of player protection measures.”

Graph 1: “Gesamtanzahl der in OASIS eingetragenen Sperren” (Total bans over time)

Over the course of 2024, more than 320,000 new exclusions were recorded, a significant jump from prior years. This rise is thought to reflect stronger public awareness, as well as greater consumer appetite for preventative tools as regulated gambling offerings expand across Germany.

GlüNeuRStV terms dictate that all licensed gambling operators must immediately make customers aware of several mandatory player protection tools, forming the cornerstone of the country’s consumer safeguarding strategy – tools that cannot be considered an option under German Law.

Players can register either voluntarily or through third-party referrals, such as family members or operators. Once listed, individuals are blocked from participating in any licensed gambling activity nationwide.

Unlike traditional blacklists, OASIS allows users to tailor the length of their exclusion. Durations range from the mandatory minimum of three months to multi-year bans, with the one-year option proving the most popular—accounting for over 50% of all exclusions.

Graph 2: “Dauer der eingetragenen Spielsperren” (Exclusion duration breakdown)

“The one-year exclusion period remains by far the most frequently chosen,” the report notes, “accounting for the majority of current entries.”

While many opt for short-term blocks, a growing proportion of users—particularly those with a history of problem gambling—are locking themselves out for between two and ten years, or more.

Among the standout features of the system is the 24-hour self-block, which has become a default safeguard. Available via a single click on any licensed gambling operator’s website, the feature was triggered between 40,000 and 55,000 times per month during 2024—suggesting it has become a go-to harm-reduction tool.

Graph 3: “Kurzzeitsperren (24-Stunden-Sperre)” (24-hour blocks)
Insert after this paragraph to show regular monthly use, peaking near 50,000.

“This option is activated immediately by the player without further checks,” according to the official guidance. “The ban is lifted automatically after 24 hours.”

OASIS is also a core part of operator compliance. Before processing any bets or player activity, licensed operators—both digital and physical—must verify each customer against the OASIS register. In 2024, that translated into more than 100 million verification checks per month, underlining the scale of the system and the regulatory load on providers.

Notably, exclusion registrations continue to outpace removals, contributing to a steady net increase in the number of blocked individuals.

Graph 4: “Eintragungen und Aufhebungen von Sperren” (Registrations vs Removals)

Insert here to show the gap between new bans and lifted ones—removals falling to ~3,000 while entries stay above ~8,000.

“The number of successful applications for lifting an exclusion remains low,” the report acknowledges, adding that third-party ban reversals require “psychological and financial evaluations”.

While the operations of OASIS remain under the jurisdiction of the Bundesland of Hesse, and not directly overseen by the federal Gambling Authority (GGL), the system’s data, structure, and regulatory insights are expected to play a key role in shaping future gambling policy across Germany.

Its insights will inform the upcoming academic atlas on the Fourth Interstate Gambling Market, particularly in areas concerning advertising regulation and customer protection frameworks. As Germany enters the fifth year of its regulated interstate gambling model in 2026, these foundational debates continue to polarise opinion within the Bundestag, especially around questions of governance efficacy, federal-state alignment, and the balance between market liberalisation and consumer welfare.

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Ukrainian Gambling Council: comprehensive approach needed to tackle illegal gambling  

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The battle against illegal gambling is becoming a global challenge as digital tech creates an environment for iGaming to prosper, according to Viktoriya Zakrevskaya, Founding Member and Deputy Chair of the Ukrainian Gambling Council (UGC).

Writing for SBCEurasia, she underpinned the importance of a comprehensive approach and flexibility in adapting to technological changes in the modern environment.

There are prevalent obstacles when it comes to detecting and subsequently tackling illegal sites, challenges only elevated by the prevalence of digital currencies in the offshore environment. As well as this, social media is tapped into to generate traffic.

She emphasised: “To counter these challenges, countries around the world are implementing innovative approaches that combine technological, regulatory, and social measures. In particular, Argentina is restricting access to gambling websites via public Wi-Fi networks.

“For this purpose, enhanced authorisation, identification, and verification [KYC – Know Your Customer] procedures are used, which require confirmation of age and identity before accessing platforms.

“Public Wi-Fi providers are required to block illegal websites using filters based on blacklists provided by the regulator. This approach reduces the accessibility of illegal platforms in public places, such as cafes or libraries, where minors are often present. The Argentine experience demonstrates the importance of cooperation between regulators and ISPs to limit access to illegal content.”

She pinpointed the efforts being made in Indonesia, where the government has undergone major efforts to strangle gambling market engagement.

At the heart of these efforts have been tapping into financial supervision tools, which blocked banking tools linked with the gambling market, which is illegal in Indonesia.

She continued: “In the United States, where gambling regulation is decentralised and depends on the laws of individual states, illegal websites are multiplying twice as fast as licensed ones [+64% vs. +36% as of 2024]. More than 80% of users see ads for illegal platforms, which often operate through offshore companies and use cryptocurrencies for transactions.

“To combat these challenges, the United States is working to regulate cryptocurrencies, impose restrictions on the use of offshore companies for the registration of gambling business organisers, and require IT giants to strengthen advertising moderation to limit the promotion of illegal sites in search engines and social networks. The US experience shows that the decentralised model of countering illegal gambling requires coordination at different levels: between the federal centre and the states; directly between the states; and between the federal centre, states, and IT companies.”

The regulator in Ukraine collaborates with Meta tackling Instagram accounts of bloggers who promote illegal online casinos through stories, showing fake “winnings” and leaving active links to banned sites.

September 15 will see SBC organise a ground breaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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ProgressPlay handed £1m UKGC fine for ‘unacceptable’ AML failures

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a £1m fine to ProgressPlay Limited for compliance failures related to anti-money laundering and social responsibility.

Following a UKGC compliance assessment, the operator has also been handed a warning and is expected to undergo a third-party audit within six months of a licence review being concluded to ensure AML and social responsibility policies, procedures, and controls are being effectively implemented.

The Commission noted that the breaches took place over various dates between August 2021 and August 2024.

ProgressPlay, which operates 134 websites, has now faced enforcement action from the UKGC for the second time in three years, as the operator paid a £175,718 fine for social responsibility and AML failures in 2022.

John Pierce, Director of Enforcement and Intelligence at the UKGC, commented: “Gambling businesses must have robust policies and procedures in place to protect consumers and ensure appropriate anti-money laundering controls are maintained. These measures must be actively implemented and regularly tested to confirm their effectiveness.

“This case marks the second time ProgressPlay Limited has been subject to enforcement action by the Gambling Commission. Its failure to meet AML obligations, along with the gaps identified in its social responsibility processes, are unacceptable.”

According to the UKGC, AML failures by ProgressPlay included:

An appropriate Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (MLTF) risk assessment was not conducted and appropriate controls to minimise MLTF risk were not implemented.

Not considering all business-associated risks, failing to take a sufficient risk-based AML approach.

Transactions carried out during customer relationships, such as verifying source of funds, were not sufficiently scrutinised to ensure transactions were consistent with the casino’s understanding of the customer, their business activities, and their risk profile.

The Commission also stated that the operator’s social responsibility failures included:

Not having adequate systems and processes in place to monitor customer activity at the point of account opening effectively, early identification of potential gambling-related harm or the implementation of appropriate interventions was at risk.

Employing a customer interactions policy which didn’t adequately address the elements of identify, act and evaluate set out in the Remote Customer Interaction section of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice.

Not implementing adequate processes to understand the impact of individual interactions and actions on a customer’s behaviour, the continued risk of potential harm, and whether further action is needed.

The UKGC noted that ProgressPlay cooperated with the investigation and took corrective steps to address the failings identified.

“As part of the regulatory outcome, ProgressPlay is now required to undergo an independent third-party audit to assess the adequacy of its compliance arrangements across these areas,” Pierce added.

“Operators should be in no doubt: repeated regulatory breaches will result in increasingly severe enforcement action. We urge all operators to examine the failings identified in this case and take proactive steps to strengthen their own systems and controls.”

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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GambleAware calls for safer gambling video guidelines after industry advert study

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GambleAware is calling on the UK Government to produce safer gambling video guidelines after new research brings into question the impact of operator’s safer gambling adverts.

In addition, the charity is also calling for more effective monitoring and accountability for industry-led campaigns, as well as a consistent framework to ensure adverts are protective.

Conducted by Thinks Insight & Strategy with academic expert Professor Elliot Ludvig, the research examined the effectiveness of safer gambling video campaigns currently being used by major operators.

Videos used include a control video, ‘Magnets’ stigma campaign by GambleAware, Play at your best by Betfair, Top tips for positive play by William Hill, Take time to think by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), as well as Made to play safely by 888.

Participants were randomly exposed to the different safer gambling video adverts, followed by a simulated online environment in which the video’s effect on their subsequent inclination to gamble was captured. This was done to see what safer gambling message types affect gambling behaviours and attitudes, as well as how effective operator methods were in reducing harmful gambling.

‘Backfire effects’

The study noted that Top tips for positive play by William Hill and Made to play safely by 888 adverts had “backfire effects” and led to a significant increase in click-through rates compared to the control.

According to the study, these videos “may encourage gambling engagement, potentially due to their framing or the promotional nature of their messaging. Attitudinal survey results suggest the videos may reinforce the idea that gambling is safe, create a false sense of security, increase gambling intent, and, despite being perceived as trustworthy, subtly downplay gambling risks”.

The study noted that 45% of participants that were shown the Made to play safely by 888 felt as though it suggested gambling was harmless fun, while this figure was 38% for the Top tips for positive play by William Hill.

Ludvig stated: “The study suggests that some safer gambling videos from gambling operators have a backfire effect, encouraging gambling and having the opposite effect to their intended purpose of helping people control how much they gamble.

“The findings from this experiment should be used to help to guide the design of effective safer gambling advertising videos and establish standards for measuring their impact.”

Other results

The ‘Magnets’ stigma campaign video was shown to have ‘protective effects’, resulting in a significant decrease in click-through rates, as their personal narrative and serious tone may have helped to foster “greater awareness of gambling harms”.

In addition, the attitudinal survey results suggest that the video “effectively normalises gambling problems as widespread, encourages self-reflection, counters the idea of gambling as harmless fun, and is perceived as trustworthy, potentially enhancing its protective impact on behaviour”.

Of the participants, 15% thought the advert suggested that gambling was harmless fun.

Play at your best by Betfair and Take Time To Think by the BGC were said to not produce significant behaviour changes, as the study stated that the Take Time To Think messaging “had no effect” while the Play at your best “had a straightforward, clear communication style and did not backfire”.

The videos were also said to be able to provide “useful strategies for managing gambling but do not strongly encourage self-regulation or behaviour change, slightly increase gambling intent, and foster a sense of control without clearly influencing gambling decisions”.

Of the participants, 39% thought Play at your best by Betfair suggested that gambling was harmless fun, while this figure was 32% for Take Time To Think by the BGC.

Industry can’t ‘mark its own homework’

GambleAware also noted that the study found that the industry-produced adverts increase gambling intentions among communities most at risk, including younger people and those experiencing gambling problems, as on average, 14% of those aged 18-34 clicked on the “pop up” advert to place a free bet, compared to vs 4% of those aged 55+.

In addition, the charity mentioned that gambling operators are supposed to allocate 20% of their digital and broadcast advertising budgets to safer gambling messaging on digital channels, but prior to this study, there was a lack of monitoring this and a lack of published evidence showing the potential impact.

Alexia Clifford, GambleAware Chief Communications Officer, said: “This new research shows that so-called ‘safer gambling’ videos produced by gambling operators could be doing more harm than good. It’s unacceptable that adverts claiming to help people reduce their risk of harm are encouraging people to gamble more instead.

“The gambling industry cannot be left to ‘mark its own homework’ on such an important issue. We need stronger legislation on gambling marketing and advertising, including more effective monitoring of gambling industry-led advertising campaigns, health warnings on all gambling advertising, and for all adverts to signpost to where people can get help for gambling harms.”

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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India on the cusp of online gaming overhaul

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Breaking headlines in India report that the government has been presented with a Bill to overhaul the rules and definitions of Real Money Games (RMG) and Games of Skill.

Branded as the “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill (2025)” the full text of the Bill is yet to be published, but has been referenced by local media quoting ‘close sources’.

The Union Cabinet approved the draft on Tuesday afternoon, with sources expecting the legislation to be formally tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

International vs Local Coverage

Coverage has been split sharply between international and domestic media reporting on the Bill’s articles.

International wires, led by Reuters, frame the Bill as a blunt instrument that enforces a “hard prohibition”. The Reuters headlines emphasise India’s intention to “ban online games played with money”, presenting the measure as a direct assault on an industry that has attracted billions in foreign capital.

By contrast, local media outlets lean towards describing the move as a distinct regulatory overhaul. Reports in the Economic Times and Times of India suggest the government’s objective is not simply to outlaw gaming but to redefine what qualifies as Real Money Games. That means banning formats where money is staked, while expressly encouraging esports and non-monetary social gaming.

Commentary in The Hindu and Business Standard adds further nuance, stressing the government’s ambition to formalise a national framework. They note the Bill could eliminate today’s patchwork of state-level laws and conflicting bans, replacing them with a single, uniform code that would bring consistency across India’s fragmented online gaming sector.

What is reported?

Common themes reported in detail that the Bill will recommend a ban on advertising and endorsements of real-money game platforms and further prohibit banks and bar banks and non-banking financial services from processing financial transactions for games and platforms classified as RMG.

A much tougher enforcement is expected, with prescribed penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ₹1 crore (€110,000) for operators, and up to two years or ₹50 lakh (€55,000) for advertisers.

The Bill is expected to grant centralised powers to federal authorities to restrict and prohibit consumer access to RMG platforms, including the use of direct IP blocking and the authority to terminate internet connections.

The draft is understood to have been prepared by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), with Cabinet ministers signalling strong support. The text reflects the recommendations of India’s Tech Council, which has pressed for the Union Cabinet to endorse the Finance Ministry’s move to apply a 40% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on gaming revenues.

Industry Fallout

The Economic Times warns that a sweeping ban on money games could hollow out India’s RMG sector, driving users offshore and costing the exchequer as much as ₹20,000 crore (€2.2 billion) in annual tax revenues. Industry leaders fear that the measure risks jobs, investment, and innovation, while leaving users vulnerable on unregulated platforms.

News of the federal government’s approach to regulating Real Money and Skill Games has dominated this summer. Amid a series of legal challenges, the Supreme Court announced it would review the legal boundaries of RMG and other formats in consultation with tech giants Google and Apple.

The consultation was prompted by high-profile cases before the Supreme Court concerning the involvement of celebrities, athletes, and Bollywood stars in promoting Real Money and Skill Games – an area where India lacks uniform legislation to define regulatory remits.

All eyes on the Lok

For now, the exact text remains unpublished. Observers expect the Lok Sabha to release the Bill upon its introduction on Wednesday. Only then will the contours of India’s gaming regulation prohibition, overhaul, or a mixture of both be fully understood.

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Greece forms Task Force to strangle illegal gambling networks 

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The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) will establish a task force “to combat the scourge” of illegal gambling networks.

The task force will be composed of EEEP units working in coordination with Greece’s national police, judiciary, and financial intelligence unit to dismantle criminal networks and prosecute offenders. Spearheading a “collaborative approach,” the EEEP has called upon broader government agencies and public bodies to engage in joint initiatives.

A deep cooperation is needed as EEEP seeks to understand how illegal gambling networks have used technology to bypass regulatory systems and engage with Greek online consumers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the operational tactics of illegal networks including their use of social media, encrypted messaging apps, and database marketing and the methods through which they obscure financial flows via layered transactional systems.

New intelligence from this initiative will be shared with government stakeholders to shape new policies and protective measures aimed at fortifying Greece’s regulated online gambling sector.

“Members must take unified legal action in Greece and use their capabilities to address this matter. Some recent actions taken (e.g., with the UK) are being assessed by a working group. To this end, there are legal provisions and a legislative framework that the EEEP may activate when necessary,” the Commission stated.

The Hellas Gambling Law was last revised in 2021, formally empowering the EEEP to introduce a permanent online gambling licensing regime. The framework ended a decade-long “grey market transition” by issuing seven-year licences, taxed at €3 million each, for betting and casino operations. The reform brought regulatory clarity and tax accountability to foreign operators that had previously operated under provisional licences.

To underscore the need for continued vigilance, the EEEP has published its economic update on the Greek gambling market, revealing a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of €1.24 billion for the period January to May 2025.

The data continues to illustrate a marked shift in consumer behaviour, with online gambling channels now firmly dominating the market. Of the total GGR, over €528 million was generated from online operators, compared to €456 million from land-based betting shops. This hyper divergence highlights the increasing preference of Greek consumers for digital platforms, particularly in sports betting and online casino gaming.

The EEEP emphasises that the creation of the task force is essential to counter growing concerns over the black market. Unlicensed operators are believed to be exploiting online channels to evade tax obligations and undercut licensed providers.

These trends, the Commission warns, pose a direct threat to state revenues and the integrity of the regulated market. Launching the task force and reinforcing its data capabilities, the EEEP aims to restore public trust, protect consumers, and ensure that gambling tax contributions from licensed operators remain robust.

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