Illegal online gambling generates annual loss of €20 billion of EU tax money
A new industry report highlights the explosive growth of illegal online gambling across Europe, showing that unlicensed operators now dominate the market. The analysis finds that illegal online gambling accounts for about 71 % of the European Union’s online gambling activity, generating roughly €80.6 billion in revenue in 2024 — more than double the income of the regulated sector. This boom in unregulated gambling platforms has cost EU economies an estimated €20 billion in lost tax revenue, since these operators avoid licensing fees and tax obligations. The study also found more than 6,200 illegal gambling operators actively targeting EU consumers, exposing around 81 million Europeans to these services. Unlicensed platforms often misuse legitimate casino branding, lure players with aggressive promotions, and lack consumer protections, prompting calls for stronger regulatory action and coordinated EU-wide enforcement.
