Key Takeaways
- The unlicensed online gambling sector across the European Union generated approximately €91.6 billion throughout 2025.
- Member state governments forfeited roughly €22.9 billion in potential tax collections.
- Over 6,200 unauthorized gambling platforms are actively pursuing European customers.
- The European Casino Association presented these findings during a roundtable session at the European Parliament.
- Policymakers are exploring enhanced cross-border enforcement mechanisms, including potential expansions to Europol’s authority.
Unlicensed online gambling operations targeting residents of European Union member states generated approximately €91.6 billion throughout 2025. These figures were revealed during a roundtable discussion convened at the European Parliament earlier this week.
The information originates from research conducted by the European Casino Association, with analysis provided by Gambling Compliance International. According to their findings, the unregulated marketplace expanded by approximately 14% compared to the previous year.
This expansion carries significant fiscal implications for national treasuries. Based on the European Casino Association’s calculations, EU member states failed to collect around €22.9 billion in tax revenues during 2025.
These funds would typically flow from legitimate, licensed gambling businesses. Instead, the revenue went to platforms operating beyond the reach of national regulatory frameworks.
European Officials Convene in Brussels
The analysis also illustrates the scale of unauthorized gambling activity. Currently, more than 6,200 unlicensed gambling websites and operators are deliberately targeting consumers across EU member states.
This proliferation occurs despite the fact that nearly all EU countries maintain established licensing frameworks. These regulatory structures are designed to prevent unregulated platforms from accessing domestic markets.
The research was unveiled at a roundtable organized by Lukas Mandl, a Member of the European Parliament. The gathering assembled multiple stakeholders involved in addressing this challenge.
Participants included representatives from the European Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority, and Eurojust. Delegates from Europol oversight mechanisms, national gambling authorities, and industry representatives also attended.
A central theme emerged around challenges that individual nations struggle to address independently. Illegal gambling platforms frequently maintain operations spanning numerous jurisdictions simultaneously.
This cross-border nature complicates enforcement efforts compared to sites operating within a single country’s boundaries. The gathering coincided with the European Commission’s ongoing review of Europol’s operational mandate.
One component of this review focuses on expanding the agency’s capabilities to combat transnational organized crime. Illegal gambling was highlighted as a prominent example of such cross-border criminal activity.
Industry Perspective
According to the European Casino Association, unauthorized gambling has evolved beyond a marginal concern. It now represents a substantial segment of Europe’s online gambling landscape.
The organization emphasized that unlicensed operators circumvent consumer protection standards. They also avoid responsible gambling obligations and regulatory oversight that licensed companies must adhere to.
The association further linked the expansion of illegal gambling to broader financial crime vulnerabilities. It advocated for improved coordination among gambling regulators, financial intelligence units, and EU law enforcement bodies.
Its core message to legislators was straightforward. Individual country initiatives prove insufficient when addressing a marketplace that functions across international boundaries.
The €91.6 billion revenue estimate and the €22.9 billion tax deficit are now documented for consideration by EU decision-makers. Deliberations regarding subsequent actions, including potential modifications to Europol’s mandate, continue to progress.
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