Gambling regulators from seven major European jurisdictions have issued a unified call for enhanced enforcement against illegal online gambling operations, citing escalating concerns over unauthorised advertising campaigns targeting their markets.
On 25 November 2025, regulators from Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal and Spain released a joint institutional statement addressing the growing threat posed by unregulated gambling operators.
Digital advertising surge drives regulatory concern
The statement highlights particular alarm over the proliferation of advertising from unauthorised operators through digital channels, including social media platforms, video platforms, and affiliate networks. These advertising activities violate national laws across the seven jurisdictions while exposing citizens to significant gambling-related risks.
The regulators emphasised that minors and vulnerable individuals face heightened exposure to illegal gambling through these targeted advertising campaigns, undermining consumer protection frameworks established across regulated markets.
Affected Jurisdictions
Seven major European regulators are participating in this coordinated enforcement effort: Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The joint statement was released on 25 November 2025.
Coordinated enforcement strategy emerges
The seven regulators outlined a three-pronged approach to combat illegal gambling operations:
- Enhanced information sharing on illegal operators between regulatory authorities
- Direct engagement with digital platforms and social media networks to strengthen content control mechanisms
- Expanded knowledge sharing on investigation and sanctioning procedures for unauthorised operators
The statement characterises illegal online gambling as undermining entire regulatory frameworks designed to protect public interest, noting that the borderless nature of digital operations enables unauthorised operators to evade oversight more easily.
Three-Pronged Enforcement Approach
Regulators will implement enhanced information sharing between authorities, direct engagement with digital platforms to strengthen content controls, and expanded knowledge sharing on investigation procedures for unauthorized operators.
Industry implications for compliance
This coordinated stance signals heightened enforcement activity across European markets, with potential implications for payment processors, affiliate networks, and digital advertising platforms operating in these jurisdictions.
The joint statement represents the most comprehensive multi-jurisdictional approach to illegal gambling enforcement seen in recent years, suggesting operators should expect stricter compliance monitoring and enhanced cross-border information sharing among regulatory authorities.
Similar enforcement coordination has emerged in other jurisdictions, with the Dutch gambling authority KSA setting 2026 priorities focused on illegal gambling operations and the German regulator calling for legal operators to strengthen their market position against black market competitors.
Warning
Payment processors, affiliate networks, and digital advertising platforms should expect stricter compliance monitoring and enhanced cross-border information sharing among regulatory authorities across these seven European jurisdictions.
According to UK Gambling Commission.
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