Greek Finance Minister warns social media influencers amid probe over illegal gambling promotion
Kyriakos Pierrakakis has warned that authorities were already enforcing new penalties for illegal gambling promotion.
Greece.- Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis has issued a warning to social media influencers over the promotion of illegal gambling in Greece. His comments come after the country’s gambling regulator submitted legal complaints against 18 high-profile online personalities, including rappers and models with a combined audience of 3.6 million followers, over allegations of promoting unlicensed gambling services.
The minister warned that authorities were already enforcing measures introduced via Bill 5313/2026 in June. The legislation expanded the authority of the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) and introduced tougher sanctions for individuals and organisations involved in the promotion or facilitation of illegal gambling.
Under the new legislation, internet service providers, advertisers and other third parties connected to illegal gambling operations can face penalties ranging from €1,000 to €2m for each violation. Influencers and other online personalities found to have promoted or facilitated illegal gambling can be fined between €5,000 and €50,000.
Greece has also classified illegal gambling as an economic threat, becoming the first country in Europe to introduce such a designation, according to Pierrakakis.
“The message in every direction must be one: the internet is not a jungle,” the minister said. “Popularity does not grant immunity, and influence carries responsibility. Anyone who uses their power and reach to promote illegal gambling must know that they will be identified, scrutinised and will face the consequences provided for by law.”
He stressed that online activity would not be treated differently from offences committed elsewhere.
“I want to be clear on this point. The fact that an illegal activity takes place online does not create any ‘grey zone’,” he said. “The fact that a website may be based outside Greece does not mean there is tolerance. And the fact that promotion takes place through social media does not absolve anyone of responsibility. The rules apply everywhere and to everyone.
“However, repression alone is not enough, because the core of the problem remains social. We need prevention, awareness and cooperation with all the competent bodies to tackle addiction and, above all, we need to protect minors and young people. We cannot accept as normal a new generation that encounters gambling ever earlier in its everyday digital life.”
Government estimates suggest Greece’s gambling black market generated around €1.8bn in wagers during 2025 from approximately 900,000 players, while authorities blocked 15,000 websites linked to illegal gambling activity. Greece is also among the European Union countries reporting some of the highest levels of gambling participation among teenagers.
The EEEP reported a 6.7 per cent rise in regulated Greek gambling revenue in 2025. According to the commission’s annual report, gross gaming revenue (GGR) from licensed operators reached €3.07bn. The regulator is currently running a tender process as it seeks a partner to help strengthen player monitoring for the country’s regulated online gambling market.
