Greek authorities have filed criminal complaints against 18 influencers accused of promoting unlicensed gambling websites as part of a wider crackdown on illegal online gambling. The cases are currently at the preliminary investigation stage.
The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) filed the complaints with the Athens First Instance Prosecutor’s Office. The influencers allegedly promoted 11 unlicensed gambling websites and eight unlicensed operators through Instagram accounts.
The accounts have a combined 3.6 million followers, although the figure does not represent unique users. The largest individual account has 623,000 followers.
Greek Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis said the government would not treat online promotion of illegal gambling as a separate or less serious issue. He stressed that popularity and online reach would not protect influencers from legal action.
The crackdown follows changes introduced under Greece’s Law 5313/2026, which strengthened the EEEP’s enforcement powers. The regulator received additional investigative tools and can impose administrative fines of up to €50,000 for individual violations involving illegal online promotion.
Greek authorities are also using digital tools and artificial intelligence to identify illegal gambling websites and promotional channels. Websites identified as illegal can be blocked in cooperation with telecommunications authorities and internet providers.
Authorities said the measures are aimed at reducing the illegal gambling market while improving protection for younger people and other vulnerable groups.
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