The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has called for coordinated EU-level action to address fraudulent gambling websites and apps that impersonate licensed operators across Europe.
In a submission to the European Commission’s call for evidence for its upcoming EU Action Plan on Fighting Online Fraud, EGBA set out examples of how consumers are being directed towards illegal gambling offers through fake domains, unlawful app listings, phishing campaigns and misleading social media advertising.
According to the association, some fraudulent websites use domain names that closely resemble those of legitimate operators, while illegal apps have also appeared on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
EGBA said some social media adverts direct users to real-money apps based outside the EU that are presented as games.
The association warned that these practices expose consumers to identity theft, financial loss and gambling environments where regulated safeguards such as self-exclusion are absent.
EGBA also said fraudulent domains and applications often return shortly after being removed, despite monitoring efforts, takedown notices and enforcement action. It linked these patterns to the wider growth of unregulated offshore gambling platforms targeting European consumers.
The submission stated that illegal operators are estimated to capture 27% of Europe’s total online gambling market gross gaming revenue in 2025, equivalent to around €18bn ($19.5bn).
EGBA said some offshore operators falsely claim to hold EU licences, misrepresent their regulatory status and disguise gambling products as games.
EGBA Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Dr Ekaterina Hartmann, said: “The evidence we’ve gathered shows how fraudsters are systematically exploiting the trust consumers place in the licensed gambling environment, putting European consumers at risk and allowing the illegal online gambling market to grow.”
Hartmann added: “Fragmented national approaches to these types of fraud are not enough. We need coordinated EU-level action.”
The European Commission’s Action Plan on Fighting Online Fraud is scheduled for adoption in the second quarter of 2026.
In related coverage, EGBA introduced pan-European standards for influencer marketing in gambling in October 2025, setting out transparency, age-gating and compliance requirements for member operators.
EGBA said fraudulent domains and apps often reappear shortly after takedown
