EGBA urges European Commission to tackle rising online fraud in gambling sector
Summary
EGBA has submitted evidence to the European Commission’s call for evidence ahead of the EU Action Plan on Fighting Online Fraud, highlighting a sharp rise in fraudulent gambling websites and apps that impersonate licensed operators across Europe. The submission documents fake domains, illegal apps on Google Play and the App Store, phishing, and social media scams that steer players to offshore, unregulated platforms.
EGBA warns these scams expose consumers to identity theft, financial loss and unsafe gambling environments without regulated safeguards. Its members report persistent reappearance of fraudulent domains and apps after takedown. EGBA says illegal operators captured an estimated 27% (around €18bn) of Europe’s online gambling gross gaming revenue in 2025 and is urging coordinated EU-level action; the Commission plans to adopt the Action Plan in Q2 2026.
Key Points
- EGBA responded to the Commission’s call for evidence on the upcoming EU Action Plan on Fighting Online Fraud.
- Fraud schemes include lookalike domains, illegal apps in app stores, phishing campaigns and social media adverts directing users to offshore real-money apps disguised as games.
- Such fraud risks identity theft, financial loss and the absence of safeguards like self-exclusion offered by regulated operators.
- Fraudulent domains and apps often reappear quickly after takedown, undermining national enforcement efforts.
- Illegal operators reportedly captured ~27% (≈€18bn) of Europe’s online gambling gross gaming revenue in 2025.
- EGBA calls for coordinated EU-level action to complement and strengthen national responses; the Commission’s Action Plan is due Q2 2026.
Context and relevance
This intersects with broader industry trends: the rapid expansion of unregulated, often offshore platforms; cross-border enforcement challenges; and rising harms to consumers and legitimate operators. For regulators, operators and payment providers, the Action Plan could mean new rules, stronger takedown mechanisms and better cross-border cooperation.
Why should I read this?
Short version: if you work in regulation, payments, operator compliance or consumer protection — this will hit you. Fraud is growing fast, stealing market share and putting players at risk. EGBA’s evidence feeds directly into an EU Action Plan that could change how fraud is tackled across borders. Worth five minutes of your time.
Author style
Punchy: EGBA is sounding the alarm — this isn’t a niche problem. The piece flags a big market distortion and consumer risk and pushes for urgent EU coordination; read the detail if you need to plan for enforcement, compliance or reputational risk.