Hellenic Gaming Commission to Recruit 40 Staff for Expanded Illegal Gambling Enforcement
Greece’s EEEP is hiring 40 staff to enforce new anti-illegal gambling laws targeting a €1.8bn market that cost €400m in lost taxes in 2025. Penalties now include 10-year prison terms and fines up to €800,000. Action is already underway against 18 influencers using AI-assisted detection.
SCCG Take — The recruitment and expanded powers give regulators direct tools against networks rather than surface-level blocks. Licensed operators should expect closer VIP incentive review to limit offshore migration.
The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) will hire 40 specialist staff for its strengthened Inspection and Enforcement division. This recruitment follows legislation passed in June that expands the regulator’s permanent headcount from 80 to 110 and equips it with greater powers to target unlawful operators, criminal networks and social media promotion.
Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Minister of National Economy and Finance, has driven the initiative. Pierrakakis stated that the illegal market generated around €1.8bn in activity during 2025, involving approximately 900,000 participants and costing the government an estimated €400m in lost annual revenue. By comparison, the EEEP reported a 6.7 per cent rise in regulated Greek gambling revenue in 2025, with licensed operators producing €3.07bn in gross gaming revenue.
Under the new rules, illegal operators face prison sentences of at least 10 years and fines ranging from €50,000 to €700,000. Aggravated offences, including commercial-scale operations, involvement of minors or reopening closed premises, carry fines of €100,000 to €800,000 alongside the minimum custodial term. The enhanced division will pursue individuals and networks rather than limiting action to website blocks.
Authorities are already investigating complaints against 18 influencers accused of promoting illegal gambling online. Pierrakakis has criticised social media companies for failing to curb such content and is coordinating with the Ministry of Justice on improved prosecutions. Digital tools and artificial intelligence are being deployed to identify unlawful sites, track promotions and map operator connections. The EEEP has also requested information from all 18 licensed operators on how they acquire, manage and reward premium customers, framing the exercise as statistical in nature.
Operational Scope of the New Enforcement Division
Applications for the 40 roles are open to permanent public sector employees and staff from eligible public bodies and private-sector IT firms. The hires will support enforcement, IT, cybersecurity and market intelligence functions as the EEEP implements the June legislation.
Enforcement Outcomes Ahead
The scale of the illegal market relative to regulated revenue underscores the revenue at stake. How effectively the expanded team converts its new powers and technology into tangible prosecutions will set the benchmark for whether Greece recaptures meaningful tax income from black-market activity.
Reporting: Focus Gaming News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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