• Seven major European regulators, including those from the UK, Germany, and France, agreed to strengthen joint efforts against illegal online gambling.
• The agreement was formalised in Madrid on 12 November 2025, in response to the “borderless” nature of illegal online operations.
• Regulators identified a surge in unauthorised advertising across social media and affiliate sites as a key concern, particularly for minors.
• The cooperation framework establishes three pillars: enhanced information-sharing, coordinated pressure on digital platforms, and sharing of best enforcement practices.
• The move complements the EU’s broader ProtectEU strategy and the EGBA’s voluntary framework to identify early signs of risky gambling behaviour.

Seven European Regulators Unite Against Unlicensed Operators

Seven of Europe’s major gambling regulators have agreed to strengthen joint efforts against illegal online gambling networks, warning that fast-growing digital platforms are enabling unlicenced operators to evade national controls. Authorities from Germany, Austria, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, and Spain formalised the cooperation during a meeting at Spain’s Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) in Madrid on 12 November 2025.

Officials noted that the speed of technological innovation and the “borderless” nature of online gambling create significant risks for consumers, leaving them exposed to unsafe products and unfair practices. The joint statement stressed that illegal online gambling undermines the entire regulatory framework designed to protect the public interest.

A key concern raised during the discussions was the surge in unauthorised advertising across social media, video-sharing platforms, and affiliate websites. Regulators warned that minors and vulnerable individuals are increasingly being exposed to such content due to the sheer volume of promotional material online.

Three Co-operation Pillars Outlined to Disrupt Networks

Regulators concluded that tackling these challenges requires deeper cross-border coordination rather than isolated national actions. The new agreement establishes three major pillars of cooperation:

1. Enhanced Information-Sharing: Authorities will systematically exchange data on unlicenced operators, identify cross-border networks, and detect emerging trends.
2. Coordinated Platform Complaints: Regulators will coordinate complaints to major online platforms, urging them to remove illegal gambling adverts more swiftly and consistently.
3. Sharing Best Practices: Authorities will share new methods for detection, investigation, and enforcement, aligning national strategies to strengthen continent-wide responses.

The officials believe that a more unified response will improve their ability to disrupt illegal operators, limit financial crime risks, and enhance protection for players across Europe.

Joint Action Complements Wider EU Strategy

The Madrid announcement coincided with the 1st International Gaming Congress, also held in the Spanish capital, where officials from the UK, Italy, Germany, and Spain discussed differing regulatory models. Despite national variations, consumer protection dominated the agenda.

The latest regulatory cooperation also ties into the European Union’s broader ProtectEU strategy, launched in 2025 to address cross-border risks and security. Illegal gambling has been included within this agenda, alongside proposals to expand Europol’s role, apply the Digital Services Act to online gambling content, and establish a new Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA).

In parallel efforts, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) welcomed the introduction of a new, voluntary EU-level standard expected to be published in early 2026. This voluntary framework aims to strengthen harm-prevention measures by helping operators identify early signs of risky gambling behaviour.

Expert Analysis: The End of National Silos

The Madrid declaration marks a critical turning point where major European regulators have finally admitted a fundamental truth: the illegal online gambling threat cannot be contained within national silos. For years, operators exploited the speed of digital technology and the fragmented nature of European law to shift operations and advertising across borders, bypassing oversight designed to protect consumers.

The three pillars of cooperation are strategically sound. By formalising information-sharing and coordinating pressure on platforms like social media, the regulators are collectively closing the two primary loopholes used by the black market: operational anonymity and marketing visibility. This consensus, which explicitly includes the UK alongside EU nations, creates a united front that is politically much stronger than any single national regulator acting alone.

The goal is not just to target the sites themselves, but the entire distribution channel-affiliate networks, social media influencers, and programmatic advertising. This move signals that the era of symbolic measures is ending, and the regulated sector is building a shared defence against an estimated multi-billion-euro illegal market.