ECA Calls for EU Cross-Border Enforcement Against Illegal Online Gambling

The European Casino Association (ECA) has urged for stronger cross-border enforcement against illegal online gambling, revealing that the black market targeting EU consumers reached an estimated €91.6bn in 2025. This figure represents an approximate 14% year-on-year increase from the previous 2024 estimate of €80bn, highlighting a growing challenge for the regulated online casino sector.

Key Takeaways

• Illegal online gambling reached an estimated €91.6bn in the EU in 2025, up from €80bn in 2024.
• EU member states lost an estimated €22.9bn in tax revenue due to illegal operators in 2025.
• Over 6,200 illegal gambling operators are actively targeting EU consumers, with unlicensed businesses now accounting for most online gambling revenue across the EU-27.

ECA Report Highlights Market Threat

The ECA presented these findings during a high-level roundtable hosted by Member of European Parliament Lukas Mandl in the European Parliament. The discussion included representatives from the European Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), Eurojust, the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol (JSPG), and national gambling regulators.

Regulatory Context and Enforcement Calls

ECA Chair Erwin van Lambaart noted that licensed casinos operate under strict rules, including responsible gambling and anti-money-laundering measures, while illegal operators often function without safeguards or oversight. He emphasized the need for political will and strengthened public-private cooperation, urging European institutions and agencies like Europol and AMLA to translate data into actionable enforcement. The discussion follows the European Commission's proposed reforms to Europol’s mandate, underscoring the agency’s potential role in combating cross-border illegal gambling operations. Mandl described illegal online gambling as a “serious cross-border threat” impacting consumer protection, organised crime, and the integrity of the EU’s internal market. The European Commission believes its Digital Services Act (DSA) offers mechanisms for identifying and removing illegal online content.

Market Implications for EU Member States

Several EU member states face significant issues with black market prominence. For instance, Germany's new casino market is currently under review by the Glücksspielbehörde (GGL) due to severely low channelisation rates in its gambling framework.

Similarly, the Netherlands casino launches have seen the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) implement new regulations and issue a record fine to Novatech for illegal operations, highlighting challenges for regulated operators.

Meanwhile, Sweden's gaming regulation has faced scrutiny, with its channelisation rate seeing a decline to 84% in 2025. Enforcement actions against payment service providers (PSPs) facilitating illegal platforms and collaboration with technology platforms used for marketing have been cited as crucial steps across these markets.

Sources: ECA calls for cross-border enforcement on black market as EU illegal operators make €91.6bn