EU's Unlicensed Gambling Market Surpasses €90bn, Growing at Alarming Rate

The unlicensed online gambling market in Europe has seen a significant surge, growing by 14% year-over-year to reach €91.6m in 2025. This alarming growth was discussed by stakeholders in the European Parliament earlier this week, highlighting the severe implications for both tax revenue and consumer safety.

The unlicensed gambling sector results in significant losses to European Union member states, with nearly €23bn in tax revenue uncollected throughout 2025. This issue was brought to light during a discussion featuring stakeholders from the gambling sector, as well as regulatory bodies like Europol and the European Commission.

In addition to the financial losses, the unlicensed online gambling sector poses substantial risks to consumers. More than 6,200 unlicensed gambling operators are actively targeting customers across Europe, putting consumers at risk of identity theft, bank information theft, and other fraudulent activities. These operators do not adhere to the gambling laws established by EU member states, leading to issues such as denied jackpots, bonuses, and permanent account suspensions without valid reasons.