European Regulators Unite Against the Illegal Online Gambling Market
Regulators from Germany, Austria, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, and Spain on 12 November agreed to create a unified data-sharing mechanism to combat illegal operators during a meeting at the headquarters of the Spanish regulator DGOJ in Madrid.
Reasons for Strengthening Cooperation
The regulators noted an increase in illegal advertising across social media, video platforms, and affiliate networks. These channels allow unlicensed operators to bypass national rules and target users in multiple countries. Participants emphasized that the borderless nature of the digital environment and rapid technological development enable illegal platforms to evade oversight.
Key risks include:
- The growing volume of illegal advertising
- Increasing threats to consumers, including minors
- Disruption of the regulated market
- The ability of operators to reach users across jurisdictions without complying with national laws
Three Main Areas of Joint Action
The agreements formalized in Madrid established a unified approach to combating the illegal online gambling segment. These measures aim to accelerate the identification of violators and enhance player protection. The coordinated actions include:
- Information sharing between regulators about illegal operators
- Requests to digital platforms to remove advertising from unlicensed operators and strengthen control mechanisms
- Exchange of best practices to improve detection, investigation, and sanctioning of illegal activities
International Impact of the Agreement
The adopted measures were also reflected during the I International Gaming Congress, held on 13–14 November. The participation of representatives from Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain highlighted that tackling illegal activity has become a shared priority for European regulatory bodies.
At the panel “Retos y perspectiva de la regulación del juego en Europa,” regulators discussed the current industry landscape, approaches to player protection, and the shared challenges that require coordinated solutions.
Unified Position of European Regulators
In their joint statement, the participants emphasized that illegal operators pose risks to player safety, disrupt the operations of licensed companies, and jeopardize public order. The regulators expressed their readiness to enhance coordination and demand stricter measures from digital platforms to block illegal advertising.
The regulators reaffirmed their commitment to expanding a unified mechanism for the exchange of data and expertise. This approach is intended to speed up the detection of threats, improve response capabilities, and strengthen the stability of the regulated sector.
The participants stressed that addressing the illegal segment remains a key task in protecting citizens and maintaining transparent conditions for licensed operators.