The study identifies over 6,200 illegal gambling operators actively targeting EU consumers online, with 81 million Europeans exposed to or interacting with illegal gambling services.
At an assumed EU-wide online gaming tax rate of 25%, the Yield Sec monitoring and reporting estimates that illegal operators diverted more than €20 billion in tax revenue away from European economies in 2024 alone – funds that should have served to support the EU in boosting the competitiveness of its industries, the skilling of its workforce or investing in research and innovation.
Erwin van Lambaart, Chairman of the European Casino Association, commented: “These findings confirm what the ECA has warned about for years: illegal online gambling is not a marginal issue; it is an economic and societal threat. Every euro lost to criminal operators is a euro stolen from European citizens, from legitimate and licenced businesses, and from our communities.”
“As ECA, we remain committed to working with European and national authorities to protect consumers, tackle such criminal activities, uphold our industry’s integrity, and ensure that the benefits of a well-regulated industry are not undermined by illegal operators.”
The Yield Sec report provides the most comprehensive assessment and analysis ever conducted upon Europe’s online gambling ecosystem, spanning all 27 EU Member States and the legal and illegal sectors in each marketplace. It reveals how unlicenced operators exploit online advertising channels, including those covered by the Digital Services Act (DSA), to reach vulnerable consumers, such as self-excluded and underage users.
Illegal operators routinely impersonate licenced casinos by using their logos and imagery, misleading consumers and damaging the reputation of regulated businesses. Operating without safeguards, responsible gaming rules, or tax obligations, these platforms lure players through fake bonuses, unrestricted betting limits, and anonymous payments.
The Yield Sec report underscores that this is no “grey market” but the systematic theft of revenue and abuse of regulation and consumer protections, for which EU policymakers must act decisively to protect consumers, ensure fair competition, and safeguard Europe’s economic and social fabric.
Ismail Vali, Founder & CEO of Yield Sec, commented: “Our approach to assessing the online gaming marketplace is unique because of our clear and rigorous methodology across all of the audience and their activity for measuring the true nature of online gambling: every jurisdiction features both a legal and illegal sector.”
“For regulators and governments alike, having a comprehensive view of the entire marketplace, both legal and illegal, is essential to design and deliver efficient, targeted policies and interventions.”
Source: GMB
