Trade group sounds alarm - 71% of European online gambling is illegal

Most Activity Now Happens Offshore

A recent study says that about 71% of online gambling in the European Union may be happening on offshore sites. These sites operate outside national laws — and they ignore tax duties and safety steps meant to protect users.

The report estimates these illegal operators earned €80.6bn in 2024. The scale of that number surprises many officials, since legal casinos report far smaller totals. The sharp gap has pushed regulators to ask how the market moved so far from control.

There is also the impact on public budgets. The study says EU states could have missed about €20bn in tax income. That loss matters because legal casinos follow strict rules while offshore operators avoid every cost.

Industry Leaders Sound a Clear Warning

The head of the European Casino Association said the problem may be deeper than lost taxes. Illegal sites often target users who may not spot the risks. Many of these sites look polished — yet they ignore rules that help keep users safe. The concerns raised by the study include:

• Look-alike sites that copy legal casinos

• Ads aimed at new or unaware users

• Missing tools that support safe play

Offshore Operators Use Gaps in National Laws

Investigators say illegal operators often study the rules in each country. They look for weak points, adjust their offers, and then launch ads that appear lawful. Many users may not know the site is offshore until issues arise.

A common tactic is “impersonation.” Operators copy the design of trusted casinos to gain quick trust. This trick makes it hard for users to know which sites follow rules — and it forces regulators into a constant chase.

The study says these networks shift quickly. When one country tightens rules, operators may pivot to another market. This pattern keeps the illegal sector active, flexible, and hard to track.

Calls for Stronger Action Grow

Industry experts say regulators need a full view of both legal and illegal activity. Without that, new policies may fall short and leave users exposed. They argue that better tracking tools and shared data across borders could help slow offshore growth.

For now, the new findings add pressure across the EU — and they suggest Europe’s fight against illegal online gambling is only beginning.