Greece Targets Influencers Promoting Illegal Gambling
Greece.- 9 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Greece has stepped up its crackdown on illegal gambling promotion across social media, launching an investigation into 18 young influencers accused of directing followers towards unlicensed operators.
The action forms part of a broader strategy to reduce offshore gambling activity and hold advertising intermediaries accountable alongside operators.
18 Influencers Under Investigation
The accounts under investigation have a combined following of approximately 3.6 million people.
The largest individual account has around 623,000 followers.
Promotional content was identified across platforms including:
- Instagram.
- YouTube.
- TikTok.
Unlicensed Sites and Providers
The Hellenic Gaming Commission, HGC, identified promotion linked to:
- 11 unlicensed websites.
- Eight unauthorised providers.
Authorities argue that these channels help offshore companies reach consumers outside Greece’s regulated gambling framework.
Influencers Can Face Penalties
Economy and Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis warned that social-media popularity does not shield creators from regulatory action.
The influencers involved could face fines ranging from €5,000 to €50,000.
Advertising Becomes Part of Enforcement
Greece’s approach is no longer focused solely on blocking illegal operators.
The regulator is expanding enforcement towards:
- Affiliates.
- Influencers.
- Advertising intermediaries.
- Digital promoters.
- Other parties involved in customer acquisition.
The aim is to disrupt the routes offshore operators use to reach Greek consumers.
Illegal Market Remains Significant
Greek authorities view unregulated gambling as both an economic threat and a player-protection issue.
In 2025, an estimated 900,000 people wagered around €1.8 billion with illegal gambling operators.
Regulator Expands Capacity
The Hellenic Gaming Commission has also increased its internal resources.
The regulator now has around 110 permanent staff, up from approximately 80 previously.
The expansion is intended to strengthen oversight of offshore operators, digital advertising and new acquisition channels.
Social Media Becomes a Priority
The growth of gambling content across social platforms has become an increasing concern for regulators.
Influencer marketing can reach audiences that may not actively search for betting sites but encounter them through entertainment-oriented content.
Younger Audiences in Focus
Authorities are particularly concerned about exposure among teenagers and young adults.
The combination of personal recommendations, entertainment and commercial promotion can make advertising less obvious to users.
More Pressure on Offshore Gambling
Greece has steadily tightened its enforcement strategy against companies operating without a domestic licence.
The latest investigation shows that enforcement is increasingly moving beyond operators themselves and into the wider promotional ecosystem.
Next Steps or Impact
The HGC will now determine the individual responsibility of the influencers under investigation and any penalties that may apply.
The action also sends a wider warning to affiliates and content creators that promoting unlicensed gambling can lead directly to regulatory sanctions.
For Greece, tighter control over digital advertising is becoming a central tool in efforts to reduce the size of the illegal gambling market.
Editó: @fonta
