Greece uses AI to hunt illegal betting sites in €2bn market
Criminal complaints have been filed against influencers whose combined audience tops 4 million followers.
The hit
Greece’s finance ministry & gaming regulator are using digital tools & artificial intelligence to track down unlicensed betting sites, according to ministry spokesman Omiros Tsapalos. He told ERTnews that inspections had uncovered hundreds of illegal betting websites forming a large network, aided by influencers with large social media followings.
Why it matters
The crackdown signals Greek authorities are now treating social media promotion as a key enforcement target, not just the sites themselves. For bettors, using an unlicensed site means no clear recourse if things go wrong.
The record
| Estimated market size | €2bn a year |
|---|---|
| Regular online gamblers | 900,000+ people reported to take part |
| Criminal complaints filed | 19 cases against influencers (Omiros Tsapalos) |
| Combined audience of those named | 4m+ followers (Omiros Tsapalos) |
| Maximum fine per breach | €50,000 (Greek finance ministry) |
What happens next
Watch for the outcomes of the criminal complaints against influencers & whether further enforcement action follows against the unlicensed sites identified.
Sources: Greece targets illegal online gambling, a €2bn market, with AI tools
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