European Regulators Unite to Intensify Fight Against Illegal Online Gambling

Seven of Europe’s leading gambling authorities have committed to deeper collaboration in an effort to curb the accelerating spread of illegal online gambling, cautioning that rapidly evolving digital ecosystems are enabling unlicensed operators to slip past national regulatory systems. Representatives from Germany, Austria, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, and Spain cemented this alliance during a meeting held on 12 November 2025 at Spain’s Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) in Madrid.

Officials stressed that their renewed cooperation responds to the escalating growth of unregulated gambling platforms that exploit technological advances and gaps in legal frameworks. In their discussions, regulators underscored how online gambling has effectively become “borderless,” a shift that lets unlawful operators migrate seamlessly across jurisdictions to escape enforcement, ultimately leaving consumers vulnerable to unsafe offerings and deceptive practices.

Participants highlighted mounting anxiety over the proliferation of unauthorised advertising on social networks, video-sharing sites, and affiliate marketing channels. Several authorities warned that minors and other at-risk individuals are increasingly exposed to this material, with digital platforms struggling to filter the sheer volume of promotional content circulating in real time.

During the Madrid meeting, regulators identified three central pillars to underpin their strengthened cooperation. The first calls for improved information-sharing mechanisms, allowing authorities to exchange intelligence on unlicensed operators, uncover cross-border structures, and spot emerging threats more quickly. The second commits them to presenting coordinated complaints to major online platforms, pressing those companies to take down illegal gambling adverts with greater speed and uniformity. The third centres on the exchange of best practices across Europe, covering new approaches to detection, investigative methods, and enforcement techniques. According to officials, harmonising regulatory strategies will bolster the continent’s overall enforcement capacity, disrupt unlawful operators more effectively, reduce risks linked to financial crime, and deliver stronger safeguards for consumers.

The announcement aligned with the 1st International Gaming Congress, also convened in Madrid, where delegates from the UK, Italy, Germany, and Spain examined contrasting national regulatory systems. Despite those differences, consumer protection emerged as the prevailing theme, with speakers underscoring that player safety remains Europe’s paramount concern as technological innovation continues to accelerate.

Industry bodies and charities have echoed these calls for greater vigilance. GambleAware recently urged authorities to impose mandatory health warnings and tighter rules on gambling-related content, especially online. At the same time, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) endorsed a forthcoming EU-level standard designed to help operators detect early indicators of risky gambling behaviour. This voluntary framework, slated for introduction in early 2026, aims to reinforce harm-prevention measures by guiding companies in identifying problematic patterns before they escalate.

This renewed regulatory coordination also links directly to the European Union’s wider ProtectEU strategy, launched in 2025 to tackle cross-border threats. Illegal gambling features prominently within this initiative, which includes proposals to expand Europol’s remit, apply the Digital Services Act to online gambling-related material, and establish a new Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) to oversee financial activities.

Meanwhile, beneath the limestone hues and soft spring skies of the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre (MFCC), momentum continues to build within the industry. From 01 to 03 March 2026, SiGMA Euro-Med is set to welcome 12,000 participants shaping the future of gaming. Presented not merely as another event but as a dynamic ecosystem, the gathering invites attendees to “Be part of the blueprint.”

By fLEXI tEAM