EU Loses €22.9 Billion to Illegal Online Gambling
European Union.- 8 July 2026 www.zonadeazar.com European Union member states lost approximately €22.9 billion in tax revenue during 2025 due to the growth of illegal online gambling. The unauthorised market targeting European consumers reached €91.6 billion, representing an increase of around 14% compared with 2024.
News Details
The figures were presented during a roundtable held at the European Parliament, bringing together EU lawmakers, representatives of the European Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), Eurojust, national gambling regulators and industry experts.
The annual impact study commissioned from Gambling Compliance International (GCI) found that more than 6,200 illegal operators are actively targeting European consumers. It also indicated that unauthorised operators now account for the majority of online gambling revenue across the EU-27.
The discussion focused on the growing scale of the issue, current enforcement measures and the need for stronger European cooperation to ensure a safe, regulated and fiscally sustainable gambling environment.
Industry Context
In the European Union, a gambling operator is legal only if it is authorised in the country where it provides services. There is no intermediate or “grey market” category: companies operating without the required national licence are considered illegal.
The expansion of illegal online gambling directly affects public revenue, weakens regulated operators and exposes consumers, particularly young people, to platforms without responsible gambling safeguards, regulatory supervision or effective anti-money laundering controls.
Statements
Erwin van Lambaart, President of the European Casino Association, said:
“The 2025 data from the GCI report leaves no room for doubt: illegal online gambling is a fast-growing cross-border problem that exposes players, especially young people, to high risk, deprives societies of much-needed tax revenue and undermines trust in the regulated market.”
He also stated:
“Licensed casinos and their online businesses operate under strict rules and invest considerably in responsible gambling and anti-money laundering measures. However, illegal operators, often based outside the EU, can reach European consumers with a single click, without safeguards, without oversight and without contributing to our communities.”
He added:
“If we do not act now, the illegal online market will continue growing at the expense of players, public finances and legitimate businesses.”
Next Steps or Impact
The sector is calling for stronger coordination between European institutions, national authorities, financial intelligence units and regulated companies to turn available data into concrete enforcement action. Priorities include stronger law enforcement, blocking illegal operators and protecting both consumers and regulated markets.
Edited by: @_fonta
