The European Casino Association releases a Yield Sec report on illegal online gambling, uncovering annual loss of €20 billion of EU tax money
Summary
A study commissioned by the European Casino Association (ECA) and conducted by Yield Sec finds that illegal online gambling dominated the EU market in 2024. The illegal sector made an estimated €80.6 billion in gross gaming revenue — 71% of the EU online market — compared with €33.6 billion from licensed operators. Yield Sec identified over 6,200 illegal operators targeting EU consumers and estimated 81 million Europeans were exposed to or interacted with illegal gambling services.
At an assumed EU-wide online gaming tax rate of 25%, the report estimates illegal operators diverted more than €20 billion in tax revenue in 2024 alone. The analysis flags widespread misuse of online advertising (including channels covered by the Digital Services Act), impersonation of licenced brands, and absence of safeguards such as responsible gaming measures, age checks and tax compliance.
Key Points
- Illegal operators account for 71% of the EU online gambling market in 2024 (≈€80.6bn GGR) versus €33.6bn for the legal market.
- Yield Sec identified over 6,200 illegal gambling operators active online in EU markets.
- Approximately 81 million Europeans were exposed to or engaged with unlicenced gambling services.
- Estimated tax revenue loss to EU economies: more than €20 billion in 2024 (based on a 25% tax assumption).
- Illegal platforms exploit online advertising (including channels regulated by the Digital Services Act) and impersonate licenced casinos to lure players.
- These unlicenced operators typically lack responsible gaming safeguards, offer fake bonuses, unrestricted limits and allow anonymised payments.
- ECA calls for decisive action from EU and national authorities to protect consumers, ensure fair competition and recover lost public revenue.
- Yield Sec stresses that a comprehensive, jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction view of both legal and illegal sectors is essential for effective regulation and enforcement.
Context and Relevance
The report is the most comprehensive assessment of Europe’s online gambling ecosystem to date, covering all 27 EU Member States and analysing both legal and illegal activity. Its findings have major policy, regulatory and economic implications: significant lost tax revenue, consumer-protection gaps, and unfair competition for licenced operators. The use of mainstream online advertising and DSA-regulated channels by illegal sites raises questions about platform responsibility and the effectiveness of current enforcement mechanisms across borders.
For regulators, operators and policymakers, the study provides data-driven evidence to support tougher cross-border enforcement, better ad-channel policing, and stronger cooperation between national authorities to curb the illegal market and reclaim revenue and protections for citizens.
Author style
Punchy: This is a wake-up call. The numbers are huge, the methods are organised, and the consequences are real – for consumers, for licenced operators and for public finances. If you care about regulation, market fairness or tax recovery, read the detailed findings.
Why should I read this?
Short and frank: because this report shows illegal online gambling isn’t niche—it’s bleeding Europe of billions and putting consumers at risk. We’ve pulled the key figures and implications so you don’t have to wade through the full study unless you want the deep data. If you work in policy, compliance, advertising or the gambling industry, this is essential intel.
