Greek Authorities File Complaints Against 18 Influencers for Promoting Illegal Gambling
Greece filed complaints against 18 influencers for illegal gambling promotion, confirmed by Minister Pierrakakis on October 6. June reforms gave the HGC powers for €50,000 fines per violation plus 110 new positions including 40 specialists. This broadens enforcement from operators to digital promoters and mirrors reviews in Finland, Spain and Australia.
SCCG Take — Regulators now treat influencers as accountable links in the illegal gambling chain. Operators must review all promotional partnerships to limit exposure under expanded digital enforcement.
Greek authorities have filed complaints against 18 influencers for promoting illegal gambling. Economy and Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis confirmed the cases on October 6 during a briefing at the Hellenic Gaming Commission. The complaints remain at the preliminary investigation stage with no findings of criminal liability announced.
Pierrakakis stated that the online environment complicates enforcement because illegal sites change addresses quickly and promotions spread via links, videos and streamers. “The message in each direction should be one: the internet is not a jungle,” Pierrakakis said. “Popularity offers no immunity and influence carries responsibility.
“Anyone who uses their power and influence to promote illegal gambling should know that they will be tracked down, scrutinised and face the consequences,” he added.
Strengthened Powers for the Hellenic Gaming Commission
Regulatory changes introduced in June expanded the Hellenic Gaming Commission’s authority with stronger tools against illegal online gambling promotion. The updates created 110 positions at the commission, including 40 roles for specialist scientific staff. Regulators can now impose direct administrative sanctions with fines reaching €50,000 for each violation.
Pierrakakis said the additional powers and staffing provide the technical expertise to respond faster to evolving illegal activity. Authorities are deploying artificial intelligence and digital tools alongside cooperation with telecommunications providers to identify and block unlawful sites more effectively.
Enforcement Shift to Broader Digital Networks
The complaints mark an expansion beyond gambling operators themselves to the networks that advertise unlicensed services. This includes social media personalities who can grant illegal operators access to large audiences. The cases are among the first visible results under the revised framework, though they do not yet establish legal responsibility.
Similar reviews are occurring elsewhere in Europe. A Finnish court imposed a €2,480 fine on a content creator for advertising offshore casino bonuses. Spain has consulted on tighter influencer rules while Australian authorities increased scrutiny of betting partnerships with social media figures. As reported by World Casino News, Greece’s actions apply its new powers across the digital advertising chain.
Reporting: World Casino News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Gaming, betting and prediction markets — the desk’s read, every weekday.
Subscribe →