The Unregulated Gambling Economy in Europe: A €91.6 Billion Challenge

A recent study focusing on the EU-27 has unveiled a staggering fact: a whopping 72% of online gambling revenue is operating outside of regulatory oversight. This alarming data, revealed in the report “Online Gambling 2024-2025 EU 27 Europe,” produced by Gaming Compliance International (GCI), indicates that unregulated online gambling revenue is set to soar from €52.6 billion in 2023 to €91.6 billion by 2025, marking an eye-popping growth of 74% within just two years.

This unregulated segment of the market poses significant risks not only to consumer protection but also to taxation, licensing, and overall regulatory supervision. The report outlines how in 2025, unregulated online gambling operators were responsible for an estimated Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of €91.6 billion, representing 72% of the entire European online gambling market, which totals around €128.0 billion. Such activities are unfolding beyond the local regulatory frameworks, which raises serious consumer protection and governance issues.

The Unseen Risks of Unregulated Gambling

Perhaps the most concerning statistic from the report is the sheer scale of consumers encountering unregulated gambling content. In 2025 alone, online gambling content reached an astonishing 121 million Europeans, with 88 million experiencing material from unregulated providers. Among those actively engaging in online gambling, an overwhelming 91% of the content they encountered served to promote the unregulated sector.

The unregulated gambling ecosystem is intricate, extending well beyond just gambling websites. Various channels, including affiliate partners, social media platforms, advertisement networks, search engines, apps, payment services, P2P communications, and even illegal streaming services, play a role in connecting unregulated operators with potential customers. This interconnected environment raises a red flag regarding the necessity for robust awareness campaigns and law enforcement efforts to ensure consumer safety and industry accountability.

A Complex Marketplace

The landscape of unregulated gambling resembles a complex marketplace comprising intertwined sectors, where an extensive network of websites, payment gateways, and advertising channels work seamlessly to sustain operations. While individual websites may shift or transfer domains, the underlying infrastructure ensures a constant presence of unregulated gambling activities. Such platforms face scrutiny and could potentially be targets of enforcement, yet they often slip past the local regulatory systems.

The trouble doesn't just lie in the availability of unlicensed gambling operators—there's a critical need for law enforcement mechanisms to deter illegal activities and protect consumers. Derek Webb, founder of the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, expressed a dire call for improved enforcement strategies within Europe. He remarked, “There is a clear failure in enforcement across Europe. The revenue generated from online gambling outside regulatory boundaries is beyond comprehension, and it's high time the focus shifts towards effective enforcement against operators defiant of local laws.”

The Need for Comprehensive Oversight

Ismail Vali, President of GCI, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the scale of unregulated gambling activity demands that Europe must establish a clear oversight of the entire gambling market, regulated and unregulated alike. With an estimated 6,000 unregulated providers operating, their collective influence underscores the risk posed not only to individual consumers but to the integrity of the entire gambling ecosystem.

“Not all unregulated operators pose unique threats—many are interlinked, relying on common infrastructures for marketing, product delivery, and monetary transactions. This interconnectedness presents a vulnerability that can be exploited in enforcement,” he stated.

With more consumers being lured into the unregulated market before even reaching legitimate gambling sites, it’s crucial for authorities to act decisively. The report clearly illustrates the pressing need for a holistic approach to gambling regulation across Europe.

For those interested in understanding the complexities surrounding gambling regulations and unregulated markets, the full report is available for download on the Campaign for Fairer Gambling’s website. Unchecked growth in this sector necessitates immediate action to safeguard consumers and uphold the principles of fair gambling practices in Europe.

For more information, visit FairerGambling.com and download the full report on the current state of online gambling in Europe.