New data presented at the European Parliament indicates that the illegal online gambling market targeting consumers across the European Union expanded significantly in 2025, generating €91.6 billion in activity and contributing to an estimated €22.9 billion loss in tax revenue for member states.
The figures were released during a roundtable discussion organized by the European Casino Association (ECA) and hosted by Member of the European Parliament Lukas Mandl. Representatives from European institutions, regulatory bodies, law enforcement organizations, and the gambling sector attended the event to examine the growing presence of unlicensed gambling operators across the EU.
According to information presented during the discussion, the latest total for illegal online gambling exceeded earlier estimates. When the event was initially arranged, available data placed the market at €80 billion in 2024. Newly released 2025 figures showed a substantial increase, pushing the value of the illegal market to €91.6 billion, representing growth of approximately 14% over the previous year.
Study Highlights Expansion of Unlicensed Operators
The findings came from an annual impact study commissioned by the ECA and conducted by Gambling Compliance International (GCI). ECA Chair Erwin van Lambaart presented the results during the parliamentary gathering.
The study found that illegal operators now generate the majority of online gambling revenue within the EU-27. Researchers also identified more than 6,200 unlicensed operators actively targeting European consumers. In addition, the report concluded that most online gambling content viewed by Europeans promotes operators that do not hold the licenses required under national laws.
Participants at the roundtable discussed the scale of the issue and examined current enforcement efforts. The conversation took place under the Chatham House Rule and included representatives from the European Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), Eurojust, the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol, national gambling regulators, and industry specialists.
The event occurred shortly after the European Commission proposed reforms to Europol’s mandate. Europol plays a central role in combating criminal activity that crosses national borders, including illegal gambling operations.
Distinction Between Licensed and Illegal Gambling Services
The ECA emphasized that EU member states do not recognize a separate “grey market” category for gambling operators. Under existing frameworks, operators are either licensed and legal within a jurisdiction or unlicensed and therefore operating illegally.
According to the association, licensed gambling businesses comply with both national and European regulations. These operators implement anti-money-laundering procedures, work with authorities, contribute tax revenue, and maintain responsible gambling measures designed to protect consumers, including younger adults.
The association stated that unlicensed operators function outside regulatory oversight and do not follow the same standards. It argued that such operators can facilitate money laundering and other criminal activity because they do not apply required compliance measures. The ECA also said illegal operators frequently avoid age and identity verification procedures while using aggressive promotional tactics aimed at attracting customers, including vulnerable individuals.
Another concern raised by the association involves taxation. Illegal operators do not contribute tax revenue within the countries they target, despite generating substantial activity from consumers in those markets. The study estimated that governments across the EU missed out on €22.9 billion in tax income during 2025 as a result.
Calls for Stronger Cooperation Across Europe
Throughout the parliamentary discussion, speakers highlighted the cross-border nature of illegal online gambling and the challenges it creates for national regulators working independently.
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.”
He also called for closer coordination between public authorities and private-sector stakeholders.
“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.”
Mandl likewise stressed the broader implications of illegal gambling activity for the European Union.
“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 ECA said the latest figures demonstrate the continued growth of illegal online gambling across the European Union and reinforce the need for coordinated enforcement efforts among regulators, law enforcement agencies, and European institutions.