Gambling regulators from Germany, Austria, France, the UK, Italy, Portugal and Spain have reached a cooperation agreement to jointly combat illegal online gambling.
The decision was formalised on 12 November during a meeting hosted by Spain’s Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ).
Authorities stressed that rapid technological change and the cross-border nature of online gambling increase risks for consumers. Unlicensed operators can easily bypass national rules and offer services across multiple countries without proper oversight.
One of the biggest issues highlighted was the growing presence of illegal gambling ads on social media, video platforms and affiliate sites. Regulators warned that vulnerable groups – especially minors – are increasingly exposed to these advertisements, reinforcing the need for coordinated international action.
The agreement outlines three priority areas: sharing intelligence on illegal operators, jointly submitting complaints to social media and digital platforms to curb unlawful advertising, and exchanging best practices to improve detection, investigations and enforcement.
The announcement coincided with the first International Gaming Congress in Madrid, where regulators from Italy, Germany, the UK and Spain discussed different regulatory models and key challenges in consumer protection.
Overall, the joint declaration aims to enhance market integrity, strengthen public safety, and improve Europe-wide responses to illegal gambling.
In parallel, GambleAware has recently urged authorities to introduce stricter rules, including mandatory health warnings on all gambling-related content.
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) also welcomed the approval of a new European standard on harm markers, designed to help identify risky gambling behaviour and support early intervention. The standard, endorsed by national bodies, is expected to be released in early 2026 and will be voluntary for regulators and operators.
