The Hellenic National Committee on Bioethics and Technoethics has called upon the Greek government to implement more rigorous protections to prevent minors from being exposed to gambling.
Incidents of gambling among minors are increasing in Greece. The advisory body cautioned that the rapid growth of iGaming and online betting platforms is heightening risks for adolescents.
In a recent report, the committee highlighted that young people are particularly susceptible due to their comfort with digital communication tools and shared online gaming spaces. It noted that online betting can closely resemble multiplayer video games, which lowers the barrier for adolescents to interact with gambling services.
The report also expressed concern regarding the intensity of gambling advertisements across online media, sports broadcasts, and sponsorships involving teams and athletes, suggesting that these marketing strategies blur the lines between professional sports and betting.
Anxiety surrounding gambling advertising has grown across Europe. For instance, these concerns in Greece mirror those of the Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), which has been issuing fines and warnings to operators that violated new Dutch regulations on the subject.
According to the Greek committee, the widespread availability of online and mobile betting platforms means that gambling is now accessible “from anywhere” via computers or smartphones, including through illicit operators.
Data provided by the National Organisation for the Prevention and Treatment of Addictions indicates that the issue is escalating. Between 2022 and 2025, the number of individuals aged 18-25 seeking assistance for gambling-related disorders in Greece “almost quadrupled,” while the nation “has among the highest rates of gambling participation and excessive gambling among 16-year-olds in Europe.”
Committee makes case for gov’t action
The committee proposed several policy changes, such as stricter regulations on gambling advertisements during sports broadcasts, enhanced oversight of digital marketing, and more robust identity verification protocols.
One suggestion involves utilizing the government’s digital identity framework to verify the age of users before granting them access to betting sites.
It also advocated for educational programs, led by the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, to raise awareness among adolescents regarding the dangers of gambling addiction.
While Greek law currently forbids minors from gambling and limits participation for adults under 21, the committee noted that technological workarounds can allow users to bypass identity checks, presenting both regulatory and ethical dilemmas.
The Greek black market clampdown
The prevalence of unlicensed operators remains a significant issue in the country. This topic has been a major focus in Greek news recently as authorities attempt to suppress illegal and unethical activities, as highlighted by events this week.
Greek media reported that police dismantled a criminal network that allegedly earned over €16m (£13.8m) through illegal gambling platforms across 37 locations in Patras, Thessaloniki, and Athens.
According to reports from the public broadcaster ERT3, 35 individuals were arrested, including alleged software developers and ringleaders accused of providing illegal gaming systems. Officials stated that the group utilized remote software to manipulate game results while laundering the proceeds.
Illegal gambling remains a persistent problem in the Mediterranean nation. Greek government figures show that nearly 800,000 citizens participated in illegal gambling in 2024, resulting in an estimated €1.67bn in turnover and a loss of approximately €400m in annual state tax revenue.
The bioethics committee emphasized that combating illegal gambling markets and restricting minor access to betting services must be top priorities for regulators as digital gambling continues to grow, both in Greece and internationally.
It remains to be seen whether the Greek government will adopt the committee’s recommendations and implement further restrictions within the rapidly expanding market.