EU Illegal online gambling market grew 14% in 2025, European Parliament roundtable hears
Illegal online gambling market aimed at EU consumers is estimated to have been worth €91.6bn in 2025.
France.- New figures estimate that the illegal online gambling market aimed at EU consumers reached €91.6bn in 2025, a rise of around 14 per cent. The new figure was revealed at a roundtable event on tackling unlicensed gambling held at the European Parliament by the European Casino Association (ECA).
The event’s title still referred to a 2024 figure that estimated a market value of €80bn. That was the latest figure available when the roundtable was organised but was overtaken at the event itself. The ECA says the new estimate would mean that EU member states missed out on around €22.9bn in tax revenue last year due to wagers lost to the unregulated sector.
The figures also suggest that unlicensed gambling operators now account for the majority of online gambling revenue in the EU-27. The report estimates that more than 6,200 illegal operators are actively targeting European consumers, and that the overwhelming majority of online gambling content Europeans are exposed to promotes such operators.
The data comes from an annual study commissioned by the ECA and conducted by Gambling Compliance International (GCI). Studies in other markets have found similar trends. A study for the UK’s Betting and Gaming Council earlier this year found that illegal operators accounted for almost half of all UK gambling advertising spend and could become the majority within two years.
ECA chair Erwin van Lambaart said: “The 2025 data from the GCI report leaves no room for doubt: illegal online gambling is a fast-growing, cross-border problem that puts players, especially young adults, at high risk, deprives societies of much-needed tax revenues, and undermines trust in the regulated market.
“Licensed casinos and their online businesses operate under strict rules and invest heavily in responsible gambling and anti-money-laundering measures. Yet illegal operators, often based outside the EU, can reach European consumers at the click of a button, without safeguards, without oversight and without contributing to our communities.”
“This is why we need strong political will and strengthened public-private cooperation that is aligned with this reality. By connecting national enforcement efforts, financial intelligence units and sector expertise, European institutions and agencies such as the European Commission, Europol and AMLA can help us turn data into action. If we fail to act now, the illegal online market will continue to grow at the expense of players, public finances and legitimate businesses.”
Hosted by MEP Lukas Mandl, the roundtable was attended by EU lawmakers, the European Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), Eurojust, the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG) on Europol, national gambling regulators and industry experts.
Participants exchanged views under the Chatham House Rule on the growing scale of illegal online gambling, how it is currently tackled, and what more can be done at European level. The ECA says there was acknowledgement of the growing scale of the problem and a call for stronger enforcement and closer cooperation to support a safe, well-regulated gambling environment.
The ECA suggests that the discussion is timely, coming shortly after the European Commission’s proposal to reform the mandate of Europol.
Mandl said in a statement: “Illegal online gambling is not a niche issue, it is a serious cross-border threat that touches on consumer protection, organised crime and the integrity of our internal market. Europol is a crucial partner for Member States, but we must ensure that its mandate and resources allow it to fully support the fight against these illegitimate activities.”
“The evidence presented by the European Casino Association today shows where cooperation is needed to do more. I will bring these insights into our parliamentary work and encourage colleagues cross-party to jointly go against the negative effects of illegal gambling from mental health issues to existential disasters of individuals and entire families, so that we can better protect citizens and make a clear difference between criminal activities and those operators who play by the rules.”
