European Regulators Step up Fight Against Illegal Gambling
European gambling regulators have formalised a plan to share data and coordinate action against illegal online operators. Authorities from seven major markets say tighter cross-border cooperation is needed as unlicensed sites and affiliates increasingly target vulnerable consumers online. The joint move aims to reinforce national rules, improve enforcement and reduce the visibility of illegal gambling across digital platforms.
Cross-border Data Sharing and Platform Pressure
Regulators from Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal and Spain agreed in Madrid to exchange information on illegal operators and coordinated advertising activity. Their focus extends beyond the sites themselves to marketing channels, including social media, video platforms and affiliate networks that promote unlicensed brands.
By pooling data, the authorities hope to identify repeat offenders operating across several jurisdictions and to map the networks that steer players to unregulated offers. The cooperation framework also includes joint complaints to tech platforms in order to remove illicit advertising and restrict access to illegal gambling content.
Officials argue that minors and other vulnerable groups are disproportionately exposed to such promotion, especially where paid influencers and opaque sponsorships are involved. The new approach is designed to make it harder for offshore operators to hide behind national borders while targeting European consumers.
Shared Standards and Coordinated Consumer Protection
The agreement was announced alongside the 1st International Gaming Congress in Madrid, where regulators discussed different national approaches to licensing, supervision and player protection. Authorities say that sharing best practices on detection tools, investigations and enforcement models will help them respond faster to emerging risks.
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The move complements wider efforts in Europe to tighten consumer safeguards, including calls for mandatory health warnings on gambling content and new standards on markers of harm. These emerging frameworks aim to help regulators and operators spot risky behaviour earlier and intervene before problems escalate.
Although the new European harm standard will be voluntary, regulators expect it to guide future policy and industry practice. Taken together, the data-sharing pact and parallel initiatives signal a more coordinated European response to illegal online gambling and related consumer risks.