Greek Gaming Commission Files Criminal Complaints Against 18 Influencers Over Illegal Gambling Promotion

The Greek government has launched a decisive campaign against the promotion of illegal online gambling, unveiling a strengthened legal framework that targets not only unlicensed operators but also the digital personalities who advertise their services across social media platforms.

As part of this effort, the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) has filed 18 criminal complaints against influencers and streamers accused of promoting unauthorized gambling providers to audiences numbering in the hundreds of thousands—and, collectively, millions—of followers.

More Than Three Million Followers — Many of Them Minors

Speaking at the 4th Greek Online Gaming Day, EEEP President Antonis Vartholomaios announced that the Commission had completed its investigations and formally referred the cases to the judicial authorities.

“The Authority documented 18 cases, and just a few days ago criminal complaints were filed so that they can be brought before the courts.”

According to Vartholomaios, the first five influencers under investigation alone account for more than three million followers, highlighting the scale of their digital influence.

“The first five had 623,000, 456,000, 435,000, 422,000 and 337,000 followers respectively—more than three million in total.”

He also stressed that a significant portion of their audience consists of minors.

“Many of the people watching these men and women promote illegal gambling are underage.”

A €2 Billion Shadow Economy

The figures presented by the Gaming Commission underscore the magnitude of Greece’s illegal gambling market.

According to the Commission’s estimates, approximately 900,000 Greeks—around 10.5% of the country’s population—participated in illegal gambling activities during 2025.

The illicit market is estimated to generate €2 billion in annual turnover, while depriving the Greek state of approximately €400 million in tax revenues, making the issue not only a matter of public protection but also of significant fiscal importance.

Pierrakakis’ Legislative Reform

The new law introduced by National Economy and Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, recently approved by Parliament, aims to close long-standing legal loopholes surrounding the advertising of illegal gambling through digital platforms.

For the first time, Greece establishes a standalone administrative sanction against individuals or entities promoting unauthorized gambling services.

Administrative fines now range from €5,000 to €50,000 per violation, regardless of any additional criminal liability.

The measure applies to any individual or legal entity that advertises or promotes unlicensed gambling operations by any means, specifically targeting modern forms of digital marketing, including:

• Influencers;
• Streamers;
• Affiliate marketers;
• Digital advertising networks; and
• Other online advertising intermediaries.

A Two-Tier Penalty System

The legislation also reshapes Greece’s criminal penalties for illegal gambling activities through a new two-tier enforcement framework.

For non-gambling gaming offences, the law provides:

• imprisonment of at least three years; and
• fines ranging from €10,000 to €500,000.

For illegal gambling offences, sanctions become considerably harsher:

• imprisonment of at least ten years; and
• fines ranging from €50,000 to €700,000.

Even stricter penalties apply in aggravated circumstances, including professional criminal activity or cases involving minors. In such instances, offenders face:

• imprisonment of at least ten years; and
• fines between €100,000 and €800,000.

Beyond law enforcement, the government’s initiative forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen consumer protection in the digital environment, with particular focus on safeguarding young people from harmful online content.

By extending legal responsibility to influencers and digital content creators, the new framework signals a significant shift in regulatory policy: online influence now carries clear legal obligations when commercial promotion involves unlawful activities.

With criminal proceedings already underway and the new legislation now in force, Athens is sending a strong political message that promoting illegal gambling on social media will no longer be treated as a harmless online practice, but as conduct carrying serious legal, financial and social consequences.

Source: pagenews.gr