Greece Plans Tough New Crackdown on Illegal Gambling with Prison Terms for Operators and Repeat Players

The Greek government is moving forward with sweeping reforms to its legislation targeting illegal gambling, introducing stricter criminal sanctions aimed not only at operators but also at repeat participants. Authorities say the measures are necessary to combat what they describe as a fast-growing underground market that is reducing public revenue streams while exposing younger individuals to unregulated and potentially harmful gambling environments.

Athens has confirmed that it is reviewing a comprehensive package of legal and financial enforcement tools to tackle illegal gambling activity. These measures are expected to include both prison sentences and heavy financial penalties. The reform initiative is being led by Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Minister of National Economy and Finance, who is working on new legislation intended to modernise Greece’s regulatory structure for dealing with unlicensed gambling operators.

The ministry is planning to release a decree during the first half of 2026 that will introduce stricter rules aimed at confronting an illegal gambling sector estimated to be worth €1.6bn. Authorities estimate that the black market is currently costing public finances more than €500m in lost revenue each year.

Data presented before Parliament indicates that illegal gambling participation is widespread across the country. In 2024, approximately 9.5% of the population, equating to around 799,000 residents, participated in unlicensed gambling at least once.

According to government officials and the Hellenic Gaming Supervision and Control Board (EEEP), illegal gambling has developed into a parallel economy sustained by organised criminal groups and offshore online platforms that often operate beyond the reach of traditional enforcement mechanisms.

Under the proposed legal framework, individuals who organise illegal gambling activities, particularly games of chance, would face significantly harsher punishments. Organisers could be sentenced to prison terms of up to 10 years and face fines ranging between €50,000 and €100,000.

The legislation also proposes tougher sanctions in more serious cases, including those involving large-scale commercial gambling operations, repeated violations of gambling laws, the involvement of minors, or attempts to reopen gambling premises after authorities have shut them down.

One of the most significant policy shifts in the reform package is the extension of criminal liability to players who knowingly participate in illegal gambling. Repeat offenders would be subject to penalties, marking a shift toward targeting both supply and demand within the black market ecosystem.

Officials argue that current enforcement measures, such as blocking illegal websites and shutting down physical gambling venues, have not been enough to fully dismantle illegal gambling networks. Authorities believe that without addressing consumer behaviour alongside operator activity, illegal gambling markets will continue to regenerate and expand.

By fLEXI tEAM