European regulators unite to combat illegal online gambling

Illegal online gambling has evolved faster than most national regulators can keep up with, creating a fragmented battleground across Europe. This week, that dynamic shifted as seven major European gambling authorities agreed to share intelligence, align enforcement and jointly pressure digital platforms blocking illicit operators. As someone who closely follows European regulatory trends, I view this alliance as one of the most strategically important moves the sector has seen in years. It signals a shift from isolated national action to coordinated European defense. Let’s break down what this agreement means, why it matters, and how it could reshape Europe’s fight against illegal online gambling. Key Points

• Seven major regulators — Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal and Spain — will now share intelligence on illegal operators.
• Authorities will jointly submit complaints against unlicensed platforms and their advertising channels.
• Focus areas include fast-moving digital advertising, affiliate marketing, minors’ exposure, and cross-border risks.
• The agreement coincides with the 1st International Gaming Congress in Madrid, highlighting Europe’s evolving regulatory landscape.
• EGBA and GambleAware push for stricter standards and new harm-prevention frameworks across Europe.
• A new European standard on “markers of harm” is expected to be published in early 2026.

European Regulators Form United Front Against Illegal Online Gambling

The European online gambling market is more interconnected than ever, yet regulation remains deeply national. Illegal operators have used that fragmentation to their advantage — until now. At a meeting held on 12 November at Spain’s Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ), gambling regulators from Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal and Spain agreed to work together in a structured and coordinated effort against illegal online gambling. This is more than symbolic cooperation; it signals a concrete operational alignment.

Why Illegal Gambling Is Accelerating

From my perspective, Europe’s unlawful gambling ecosystem has grown because of three main factors:

1. Borderless digital platforms. Unlicensed operators use social media, YouTube, Telegram, TikTok and affiliate networks to bypass national restrictions.
2. Technological speed New crypto products, instant-withdrawal casinos and influencer-promoted betting platforms evolve faster than traditional oversight.
3. Regulatory fragmentation. Each regulator works independently, creating enforcement loopholes that offshore operators exploit.

The new cooperation agreement directly targets these pain points.

Three Pillars of the New Enforcement Strategy

1. Cross-border intelligence sharing. Regulators will now exchange structured data on illegal operators, marketing tactics and high-risk affiliates. This creates unified visibility across jurisdictions for the first time.
2. Coordinated actions against digital platforms. Authorities will jointly file complaints to social media networks and online intermediaries to remove unlicensed gambling advertising and block repeat offenders. This mirrors successful approaches in anti-counterfeiting and online fraud prevention.
3. Shared best practices and enforcement methods. Countries will collaborate on investigative techniques, detection tools and risk-monitoring systems — elevating enforcement capabilities across Europe.

Stronger Consumer Protection at the Core

Illegal operators do more than break licensing rules — they expose consumers to significant risks:

• No identity or age verification
• No responsible gambling tools
• No anti-money-laundering controls
• No recourse for unfair practices or withheld winnings

The regulators highlighted minors as one of the groups most vulnerable to targeted social media advertising. From my professional viewpoint, this coordinated European response is long overdue and essential for restoring balance between regulated and unregulated markets.

Broader European Context: Standards and Safer Gambling

The timing of the agreement aligns with two important developments: GambleAware’s call for mandatory health warnings Advocates are pushing for cigarette-style warnings on gambling adverts across Europe. EGBA’s upcoming pan-European harm-marker standard National standardization bodies have approved a new guidance framework on identifying risky behaviors. It will be published in early 2026 and, while voluntary, is expected to influence regulators and tier-1 operators across the EU. These initiatives show that Europe is moving toward closer alignment, even without a unified EU-wide gambling law.

My Opinion: A Necessary Step Toward a Unified European Strategy

As a gambling regulatory specialist, I see this alliance as a pivotal moment. Illegal gambling cannot be fought effectively by seven separate regulators operating in silos. Cooperation brings scale, visibility and consistency — three elements offshore operators fear. However, this is only the beginning. European regulators must follow through with:

• Joint intelligence databases
• Real-time information sharing
• Unified blocking orders
• Collaboration with payment service providers and ISPs
• Clear communication to consumers about what constitutes illegal gambling

If executed well, this could become the blueprint for broader EU-level regulatory cooperation in the years ahead. Europe has taken a decisive and strategic step by aligning seven major regulators in a coordinated fight against illegal online gambling. This unified approach strengthens consumer protection, streamlines enforcement and closes the loopholes exploited by offshore operators. The challenge now is execution. But if regulators maintain momentum, Europe could see the strongest counter-illegal-gambling framework it has ever had — one capable of protecting players, strengthening market integrity and ensuring a safer, more transparent gambling environment across the continent. Tags: EURegulation, GamblingCompliance, IllegalGambling, ConsumerProtection, MarketIntegrity

📢 Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts or ask questions about our latest articles? Stay connected and be part of the discussion by joining our Telegram and WhatsApp channels!

🔹 Get real-time updates
🔹 Share insights with industry peers
🔹 Ask questions & get expert answers

👉 Join us on Telegram 👉 Join us on WhatsApp

Let’s keep the conversation going!