ELA Games has officially acquired a license to operate in Greece, marking another step in its European expansion.
The Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) has given its approval...
Greek regulator blocks 11,000 illegal gambling websites
The Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) has identified and blocked around 11,000 websites linked to illegal online betting and gaming, as authorities prepare to enforce tighter regulations against unlicensed operators.
The HGC has estimated that the illegal market generates between $1.88 billion and $1.99 billion annually, and over 10,000 new domains are registered every month globally.
The regulator announced plans to combat illegal gambling and improve player protection in its 2026-2030 strategic plan and aims to submit a new gambling bill to the Ministry of National Economy and Finance.
The regulator said:
“The protection of vulnerable groups, and especially minors, is a core objective of our strategic plan for 2026–2030. Addressing illegal gambling and implementing effective responsible gaming measures are our top priorities.”
The new bill will also propose a clearer framework for casino licensing and location planning, with smaller regional casinos moving to a concession-based model of license granting.
Additionally, the regulator admitted that usually illegal operators are technologically more advanced than the authorities. The HGC also believes that applying extreme regulations will push players further into the illegal gambling market.
To strengthen oversight, the regulator is using data analytics, real-time monitoring, innovative information systems, and automated licensing procedures.
The premium online and mobile casino games software provider – iSoftbet, has successfully entered the Greek regulated market via gaining a licensing by the HGC.
