EU Black Market Surges to €91.6 Billion, Sparking Calls for Action
The scale of illegal online gambling targeting European Union consumers has reached a staggering €91.6 billion in 2025, a 14% year-over-year increase. This data, presented by the European Casino Association (ECA) during a high-level roundtable in the European Parliament, highlights a rapidly growing cross-border problem. The report estimates that this illicit market deprived EU member states of approximately €22.9 billion in tax revenue during the same period.
With over 6,200 illegal gambling operators actively targeting EU players, the ECA is urging stronger political will and enhanced public-private cooperation. Many of these unlicensed businesses operate from outside the EU, bypassing local safeguards and consumer protection measures. This situation undermines licensed operators who invest heavily in responsible gambling and anti-money laundering compliance.
“If we fail to act now, the illegal online market will continue to grow at the expense of players, public finances and legitimate businesses.” - Erwin van Lambaart, ECA Chair.
The issue is particularly acute in member states like Germany, which is experiencing low channelisation rates, and Sweden, where the rate has fallen to 84%. The European Commission suggests its Digital Services Act (DSA) provides a mechanism to identify and remove illegal content from social media platforms, a key marketing channel for these operators.
National Regulators Intensify Oversight and Collaboration
In response to the growing EU gambling black market, national authorities are implementing stricter measures and fostering international cooperation. These efforts aim to enhance player protection, improve cybersecurity, and create a more secure regulated environment across the continent. Key actions are being taken in Greece, the Netherlands, and through new partnerships like the one between Ireland and Denmark.
A Snapshot of European Regulatory Actions
| Country/Region | Action | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| EU (ECA) | Report & Call for Action | Identified a €91.6 billion black market. |
| Greece | Tender & Legislation | Seeking a cybersecurity partner and imposing tougher sanctions on illegal operators. |
| Netherlands | Proposed Reforms | Aims to link self-exclusion (CRUKS) with financial guardianship (CCBR). |
| Ireland/Denmark | Collaboration | Signed a Memorandum of Understanding for information sharing and enforcement. |
Greece and Netherlands Lead Regulatory Push
Greece's Hellenic Gambling Supervision and Control Commission (EEEP) has launched a tender for a specialist partner to strengthen player monitoring, KYC procedures, and AML safeguards. This move is part of a wider government strategy that includes expanding the EEEP's workforce and introducing severe penalties for illegal gambling, including prison sentences of at least 10 years and fines up to €700,000.
Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) Chairman Michel Groothuizen has called for better financial guardianship for vulnerable players. A key proposal in the upcoming Dutch gambling reform is to automatically link the national self-exclusion register (CRUKS) with the Central Curatorship and Administration Register (CCBR), which would protect around 275,000 people under financial administration from gambling harm.
Further strengthening cross-border oversight, the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its Danish counterpart, Spillemyndigheden. The agreement facilitates closer cooperation on compliance and monitoring, a crucial step as both regulators oversee many of the same international operators.
Key Industry Developments: Legal Battles and Licensing Trends
Alongside the regulatory push, the industry is seeing significant corporate and legal shifts. Game developer Spribe is facing a major legal challenge in Brazil, while the Malta Gaming Authority's latest report signals a clear trend towards B2B licensing.
Spribe Faces Setback in 'AVIATOR' Trademark Lawsuit
A Brazilian court has revoked a preliminary injunction previously granted to Spribe OÜ regarding the 'AVIATOR' trademark. The decision came after a Federal Court suspended the legal effects of Spribe's trademark registration, following a lawsuit by Aviator Studio Brasil. The plaintiff provided evidence that the trademark originated in Georgia years before Spribe's Brazilian registration.
Compounding Spribe's troubles, the Public Prosecutor's Office in Brazil has opened an inquiry into the company for alleged abusive practices, including misleading advertising related to the game's RTP. The prosecutor recommended an immediate suspension of the technical certification for Spribe's games in the country.
MGA Report Shows B2B Growth and 'Smarter Regulation'
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) 2025 Annual Report shows the gaming industry generated 6.3% of Malta’s GDP. A key trend identified in the MGA annual report is the continued growth in B2B gaming licences, which accounted for the majority of new approvals. The MGA issued 30 administrative penalties and cancelled two licences, reflecting its commitment to oversight. MGA CEO Charles Mizzi emphasized a shift in philosophy: “The challenge facing regulators today is not to regulate more, but to regulate better.”
Industry Insights: Flexibility is the Future
Amidst these regulatory and legal shifts, industry leaders stress that adaptability is paramount. In a recent interview, SOFTSWISS founder Ivan Montik shared his perspective on what will define success in the coming years.
“The companies that manage to combine scale with speed will be the companies leading this industry in five years. But they will also need to be reliable. As the industry matures and regulation becomes more sophisticated, companies will have to balance flexibility with stability, compliance and long-term trust.” - Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS.
Montik noted that the idea of iGaming as a niche industry is obsolete. It is a mature global sector that continues to innovate with new models like prediction markets. He believes that to succeed, companies must aim to grow faster than the market by innovating and entering new geographies.
