The Greek government intends to give sweeping new powers to the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) to combat illegal gambling networks and protect consumers across Greece from black market threats.
The strengthening of the EEEP is being carried out as a primary objective of the Ministry of Finance and National Economy. The Ministry’s proposals were published to the Greek Parliament this afternoon to begin the review process to become law.
Reforms are carried via a bill titled “Regulations for the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) and Improvements to the Gaming Framework,” and include a comprehensive package of reforms targeting illegal gambling.
At the beginning of 2026, Greek Economic Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, announced that he would fast track measures to combat illegal gambling, deemed to be taking €1.6-to-€2bn out of the Greek economy and a direct state tax loss of €600m.
Minister Pierrakakis stated that Greece would become the first European nation to design a specific legislative framework to combat illegal gambling as a criminal and economic threat.
Of significance, the EEEP noted 2024 data that 9.5% of the population, equating to around 799,000 citizens, had engaged with unlicensed gambling at least once, threatening the stability of Greece’s online gambling market.
This afternoon the Ministry showed its hand to the Greek parliament, with the following desired provisions.
EEEP overhaul
At the heart of the reforms is a significant expansion of the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP). The regulator’s permanent workforce will increase from 80 to 110 positions, with new recruitment focused specifically on tackling black-market gambling and strengthening consumer protection initiatives.
The additional staffing will include specialists in information technology, cyber security, intelligence gathering, market analysis and enforcement. The Ministry believes that illegal gambling has evolved into a sophisticated transnational activity that requires a dedicated enforcement structure capable of monitoring websites, tracking payment channels and identifying criminal networks operating beyond Greece’s regulated market.
Alongside its enforcement duties, the EEEP will be granted a broader mandate to coordinate responsible gambling programmes, commission research projects and develop national strategies aimed at reducing participation in unlicensed gambling.
Comprehensive enforcements
The legislation grants the EEEP significantly expanded powers to intervene against illegal operators. The regulator will be authorised to identify and order the immediate removal of illegal gambling content, websites and associated online accounts. The measures also strengthen Greece’s blacklist of unlicensed operators and provide greater controls over domain names and internet access restrictions.
The Gaming Inspectors Corps will also receive enhanced powers, with inspectors granted the status of special investigative officers. This will enable inspectors to initiate criminal investigations directly and work alongside law enforcement authorities in pursuing illegal gambling cases.
Furthermore, both EEEP and Inspectors Corp will be empowered to order the immediate closure and sealing of premises found facilitating illegal gambling activities. Businesses found in breach could face closures of up to one year, alongside the revocation of their operating licences.
Tech & Media orders
Internet service providers, advertisers and third parties found facilitating illegal gambling activities will become directly liable for penalties. Financial sanctions will range from €1,000 to €2m per violation, or per gaming machine where applicable, depending on the severity and frequency of the offence.
The bill also targets the wider promotional ecosystem supporting black-market operators.
Influencers, streamers, affiliate marketers, digital advertising networks and other online promoters found advertising unlicensed gambling services will face fines ranging from €5,000 to €50,000 for each infringement.
Operators may also be subject to temporary licence suspensions of up to three months or permanent licence revocation for serious or repeated violations.
Europe’s toughest criminal penalties
Yet the most striking aspect of the reforms is the introduction of criminal sanctions that would rank among the toughest anti-illegal gambling measures in Europe.
Criminals who organise illegal gambling face prison sentences of at least 10-years and financial penalties ranging from €50,000 to €700,000.
Where offences are committed on a professional or commercial scale, involve minors, or are conducted from premises that have previously been sealed by authorities, sanctions increase further.
In such cases, offenders face a minimum 10-year prison sentence and fines ranging from €100,000 to €800,000.
Individuals organising gambling activities without the required licences will face prison terms of at least one year, rising to a minimum of two years where games of chance are involved.
The reforms additionally grant formal investigative authority to the Gaming Inspectors Corps and increase taxation on winnings generated from online casino products, reinforcing the government’s broader strategy to disrupt the economics of illegal gambling.
The consultation period will run until 15 June 2026, after which the government may revise the draft legislation before submitting it to Parliament for approval.