European Regulators to Share Data to Combat Illegal Online Gambling

International.– November 27, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com European online gambling regulators have taken a major collective step by establishing a formal cooperation framework to share data, intelligence and risk signals related to illegal online gambling operators. The initiative aims to confront the growing challenge posed by unlicensed platforms that operate across borders, use aggressive digital marketing, and target consumers in multiple jurisdictions without any adherence to national laws. By pooling information, aligning oversight strategies and coordinating enforcement actions, the regulators seek to strengthen market integrity and reinforce player protection across the continent.

This new mechanism responds to a long-acknowledged problem: illegal gambling does not respect borders. As a result, isolated national enforcement strategies often struggle to contain platforms that relocate their infrastructure, hide under offshore entities or rely on cross-border advertising networks. The agreement marks a significant shift toward a more unified approach, embracing cooperation as the only effective path to dismantle transnational illegal gambling ecosystems.

Details / Context
The coordinated effort involves regulators from major European markets, who agreed to share operational data on suspicious domains, payment methods, operators under investigation and recurring fraud patterns. The shared intelligence will allow each regulator to identify risks faster and to anticipate trends observed in neighbouring jurisdictions, rather than reacting only when the problem reaches their own territory.

The framework also includes commitments to develop joint alerts aimed at consumers, informing them about the risks associated with unlicensed platforms, which commonly lack responsible-gaming protections, identity verification, payment security and transparency. Regulators also stressed the need to pressure digital platforms —such as social networks, video platforms, affiliates and online advertising networks— to restrict promotional activity from unlicensed gambling operators, closing off one of their most effective channels for customer acquisition.

Another element highlighted in the cooperation agreement is the development of coordinated enforcement measures. These may include simultaneous actions to block illegal websites, suspend financial channels connected to these operators, or coordinate sanctions against companies and individuals involved in non-compliant practices. By aligning procedures, regulators intend to increase the effectiveness and speed of their responses.

Specific subtopics

• Cross-border operational challenges: Illegal gambling platforms often exploit the gaps between jurisdictions. A shared database across Europe aims to reduce these gaps and increase operational visibility.

• Player protection: Unlicensed platforms pose significant risks, including fraud, lack of payout guarantees, absence of age verification and exposure to problem gambling. Cross-border enforcement enhances public safety.

• Digital advertising oversight: Regulators emphasized the importance of controlling the online advertising environment, where illegal operators often thrive due to weak or inconsistent enforcement across countries.

• Toward a harmonized European regulatory ecosystem: The agreement represents an important step toward building a more coherent European regulatory landscape, even if full harmonization remains a long-term ambition.

Future outlook
The cooperative framework could become a reference model for other regions seeking to combat illegal online gambling, including Latin America, where regulatory ecosystems remain in development and illegal operators often leverage international structures. If the European model proves effective, it may inspire new forms of supranational oversight, helping countries coordinate financial monitoring, digital regulation, advertising controls and compliance strategies.

For the legal gambling sector, the agreement reinforces institutional credibility and promotes a safer environment for industry growth. For illegal operators, the shared intelligence and coordinated actions represent a significant barrier that could reduce their operational space and weaken their presence across Europe.

Ultimately, the initiative sends a clear message: combating illegal online gambling requires international cooperation, continuous monitoring and joint action. Europe’s decision to share data marks a decisive step toward a more secure and transparent online gambling landscape.

🔗 Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com