Illegal Online

• The illegal online gambling market targeting EU consumers reached €91.6 billion in 2025, resulting in a loss of over €22 billion in tax revenue for member states. • Unlike licensed casinos, these illegal operators typically base their activities outside the EU and bypass strict regulations regarding anti-money laundering and responsible gambling. • The surge in unregulated activity poses significant risks to consumers due to a total lack of oversight and safeguards.

• On November 25, 2025, gambling regulators from Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, and Spain signed a formal agreement to combat unlicensed online gambling. • The pact establishes a framework for these seven nations to share intelligence and coordinate enforcement measures against illegal operators. • This initiative matters as it represents a unified European front to protect consumers and ensure tax compliance across multiple jurisdictions.