The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has provided evidence to the European Commission’s recent call for evidence on its upcoming EU Action Plan on Fighting Online Fraud – an initiative to reduce online fraud across different economic sectors in the EU through strengthened coordination and cross-border cooperation. The submission urges coordinated EU action to tackle fraudulent gambling sites and apps that exploit the reputation of legitimate operators.

Supported by documented evidence, the submission highlights how fraudsters systematically impersonate licensed gambling operators to deceive consumers across Europe. The evidence includes examples of fraudulent websites using domain names that mimic or closely resemble legitimate operators, illegal gambling apps distributed through Google Play and Apple App Store, phishing campaigns impersonating licensed brands and social media advertising that drives users towards real-money apps, based outside of the EU, that are disguised as games.

These types of fraud expose players to risks of identity theft, financial loss and unsafe gambling environments where well-established safeguards offered by regulated operators, like self-exclusion, do not exist. EGBA members report that across Europe fraudulent domains and applications frequently reappear shortly after takedown, creating ongoing consumer exposure despite continuous monitoring, takedown notifications and repeated enforcement actions.

Illegal operators now capture an estimated 27% (worth approximately €18 billion) of Europe’s total online gambling market gross gaming revenue in 2025. The submission addresses the risks posed by offshore operators, based outside the EU, who deliberately increase consumer risk by falsely claiming to hold gambling licenses granted by countries in the EU, misrepresenting their regulatory status and disguising gambling products as games. These fraud patterns are closely linked to the rapid expansion of unregulated illegal platforms in Europe that threaten both consumers and legitimate operators.

The Commission’s Action Plan on Fighting Online Fraud is planned for adoption in the second quarter of 2026.

Dr Ekaterina Hartmann, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at EGBA, 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. From fake websites and fraudulent apps to phishing campaigns and social media scams, these threats reappear as quickly as they’re taken down. Fragmented national approaches to these types of fraud are not enough – we need coordinated EU-level action to ensure consumers and legitimate operators aren’t left fighting an uphill battle against fraud.”

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