The Rise of Unregulated Gambling in Europe: A €91.6 Billion Problem

A recent analysis conducted by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG) has unveiled alarming statistics regarding the state of online gambling in Europe. The report indicates that a staggering €91.6 billion of online gambling revenue was generated from unregulated sources in 2025, which represents a shocking 72% of the total online gambling market in the EU27, amounting to €128.0 billion. This significant gap in regulation underscores urgent issues related to consumer protection, taxation, and the overall enforcement of gaming laws across member countries.

The Scope of the Unregulated Market

The findings from this report are particularly alarming when considering that 91% of the online gambling content encountered by consumers in 2025 was derived from unregulated operators. The previous year's figure of €52.6 billion in unregulated revenue has now surged by 74% within just two years, signaling a troubling trend that poses a risk not only to consumers but also to governmental regulations across Europe.

In the past year alone, 121 million Europeans were exposed to content related to online gambling, with 88 million of those having access to content from unregulated operators. This pre-betting exposure amplifies the reasons why such a high volume of gambling revenue remains beyond the scope of regulatory oversight. The intricate ecosystem supporting unregulated gambling—including websites, advertisements, social media, and payment platforms—functions seamlessly, allowing these operators to thrive while circumventing local laws.

Interconnectedness of the Unregulated Ecosystem

This unregulated gambling environment is not only widespread but also intricately interconnected. As noted by industry experts, many unregulated gambling sites utilize a shared infrastructure that enables them to reach consumers aggressively. Websites frequently change, and operators adeptly redirect audiences, employing various methods for advertising and customer engagement.

According to Derek Webb, founder of CFG, the scale of this economic activity should urgently prompt governments and enforcement agencies to reconsider their strategies. Webb emphasizes the pressing need for cohesive enforcement that addresses the operators evading local regulations: “€91.6 billion in online gambling revenue underscores an enforcement failure occurring in plain sight.”

He argues that the solution lies not in diminishing regulation or providing tax concessions to authorized operators but rather in a robust enforcement strategy that recognizes the operational landscapes of both regulated and unregulated markets.

The Importance of Effective Enforcement

Ismail Vali, President of Gaming Compliance International (GCI), also highlighted that the real concern emerges before a consumer even places a bet. By the time a consumer is on an online gambling site, they may have already been heavily influenced by unregulated operators who cleverly dominate audience attention. He warns about the potential dangers of a marketplace that allows such vast unregulated activities to exist unchecked, stating: “By the time the bet is placed, the battle for the customer may already have been lost.”

The report suggests that around 6,000 unregulated operators coexist, each relying on a common ecosystem to sustain their operations. This means that identifying and managing these operators as isolated entities is an ineffective strategy; the interwoven nature of their infrastructure presents both opportunities and vulnerabilities that must be addressed collectively.

Conclusion

As Europe grapples with this escalating problem, the findings from the CFG's analysis serve as a rallying call for legislators and regulators alike. A comprehensive approach that can address this significant enforcement gap is essential for establishing a safer and more regulated online gambling environment. The consequences of not taking urgent action could have grave implications for consumers and the integrity of European gambling standards as a whole.