EGBA urges European Commission to tackle fraudulent gambling sites
The group warns that European consumers are at risk from a growing threat of fraudulent gambling websites and apps that impersonate licensed operators.
Belgium.- The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) says it has provided evidence to the European Commission’s recent call for evidence on the upcoming EU Action Plan on Fighting Online Fraud. It used its submission to push for coordinated EU action to tackle fraudulent gambling sites and apps that exploit the reputation of legitimate operators.
The EGBA said its submission was supported by documented evidence highlighting how fraudsters systematically impersonate licensed gambling operators to deceive consumers across Europe. It said the evidence includes examples of fraudulent websites using domain names that mimic or closely resemble legitimate operators, illegal gambling apps distributed through Google Play and Apple App Store, phishing campaigns impersonating licensed brands, and social media advertising that drives users towards real-money apps based outside of the EU that are disguised as games.
“These types of fraud expose players to risks of identity theft, financial loss, and unsafe gambling environments where well-established safeguards offered by regulated operators, like self-exclusion, do not exist,” the association said. “EGBA members report that across Europe fraudulent domains and applications frequently reappear shortly after takedown, creating ongoing consumer exposure despite continuous monitoring, takedown notifications, and repeated enforcement actions.”
The EGBA estimates that illegal operators captured 27 per cent, or around €18bn, of Europe’s total online gambling market gross gaming revenue in 2025. It says some offshore operators based outside the EU falsely claiming to hold gambling licences granted by countries in the EU, misrepresenting their regulatory status, and that they often disguise gambling products as games.
Dr Ekaterina Hartmann, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at EGBA, said: “The evidence we’ve gathered shows how fraudsters are systematically exploiting the trust consumers place in the licensed gambling environment, putting European consumers at risk and allowing the illegal online gambling market to grow.
“From fake websites and fraudulent apps to phishing campaigns and social media scams, these threats reappear as quickly as they’re taken down. Fragmented national approaches to these types of fraud are not enough – we need coordinated EU-level action to ensure consumers and legitimate operators aren’t left fighting an uphill battle against fraud.”
The European Commission’s Action Plan on Fighting Online Fraud is planned for adoption in the second quarter of 2026. The initiative is intended to reduce online fraud across different economic sectors in the EU through strengthened coordination and cross-border cooperation.
