Greek gov prosecuted 18 influencers for unlicensed gambling promotion

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

Influencers should make their investigation very well to making sure the gambling site they want to advertise for or promote is licensed in their country. I noticed most influencers are not like this, all they care for mostly is the money that the gambling sites are paying them. This is happening in many countries. Gambling sites that want to operate in a country should get gambling license in the country. And at least the influencers in the country should be careful before promoting the sites. But government should also warn the influencers before taking action.

This serves them right, at least others will learn from it, those influencers have seen how their government were trying its best to eradicate illegal gambling, they should have been warned with that but they didn't stop promoting those illegal casino because they were more concern with the fees they earn from them. Previously there was a first case where the Greek police announced four individuals that they said were caught promoting unlicensed gambling websites and I believe that those 18 influencers that has been caught this time already saw that first case but they didn't stop there, they felt they were invincible.

[Mr_Brilliant$]

Influencers and the way they promote things without verifying. Some even go ahead to show fake withdrawals just to sway their fans. That's evil. The government did the right thing to persecute them. If this wasn't done, the influencers will carry out more of it and even go as far as promoting something that can harm the nation.
I love as the government is very involved in this. It could be those so called casinos might even be doing very illegal things like scams. Then they use the influencers to promote such things. This serves as a reminder to others to first verify what they want to promote. Money shouldn't be your first priority. Your fans should be your first. Serving them things that won't harm them.

[BitBakerr1]

I stopped trusting anything that is been advertised by an influencer on social media for a very long time because I know they really don’t investigate on what they are advertising.
Normally, before an influencer, will advertise something they should have done some investigation to know how legit and true what they are advertising is, these days this influencers don’t do any investigation on anything they want to promote.

However, this illegal casinos may actually not be scam casinos but for the fact they are not licensed by the government they are illegal and not advisable to even use.

[sergiorus]

What catches my attention the most is the percentage of people within Greece who are gambling in illegal services, services which are not regulated within the EU.

It is what it is... Cannot stop someone with a VPN and desire to gamble

I assume those people are simply trying to avoid KYC or trying to take advantage of better odds on betting markets by depositing on unregulated casinos instead of regulated ones.

Yea, or they have a notion that worldwide reputation and thousands of reviews over many years are a better warrant of honesty than EU's licence

[5W-KILO]

Is there something about unlicensed casinos that we don't know? I mean why can't these influencers focus their attention on cassios that are legit? I'm sure they will be paid even better.

Let's  be realistic, if a casino is unlicensed it means they can be cooking alot of scams under the hood, pretending to be provably fair while they are not, if this is the case it means that many people will fall victim of unfairness gambling.

Casinos that don't want to be licensed knows exactly what they are doing, if they are not hiding anything they will want to operate as a licensed online casino.

[Nothingtodo]

The Greek government has made a great statistic where if 9 lakh people out of 10 million people participate in illegal gambling, then 10% of the country's population participates in illegal gambling and in this case the government is deprived of a huge amount of tax. The point is that if the government does not take strict action against all these illegal gambling at the moment, then the number of gamblers participating in illegal gambling will increase significantly in the future. The only way to do this is to take action against all the celebrities who participate in the promotion of all these illegal gambling and casinos. And the Greek government has done that and has already filed a case against 18 influencers so that no influencer can join the promotion of all these illegal casinos.

[Altryist]

It seems as though the Greek government is trying its best to prosecute people profiting from promoting unlicensed gambling. The current government introduced a licensing scheme for casinos and already more than a dozen are operating legally with licenses issued within the country. However, looking to avoid expensive licenses and regulatory procedures many casinos will skip the licensing procedures entirely and just go straight to guerilla promotion with influencers.

These casinos change their domains every day or so to avoid blocks playing cat and mouse games with the government. Perhaps the owners of these casinos were registering the legal entities abroad and maybe even they themselves were abroad. As per the soft2bet scandal many of Europe's illegal casinos had their true beneficiary behind them in Israel!

As for Greece, the ministry stated around 900 thousand people last year alone played in illegal casinos. For a country of 10 million people, that surely is significant.

Source in Greek: https://www.megatv.com/2026/10/07/minyseis-se-18-influencers-gia-proothisi-paranomou-tzogou/

Source in English:
https://europeangaming.eu/portal/latest-news/2026/10/08/215644/greece-18-influencers-criminal-complaints-illegal-gambling/

This is important for the government because any illegal activity results in a loss of tax revenue. Given the massive sums of money circulating in the gambling industry, taxes from casinos could constitute a significant source of income. Gambling regulation is becoming the norm in many countries, so it is hardly surprising that Greece is moving in the same direction, indeed casino advertising is outright banned in many nations, with heavy fines imposed for violations.

[Sally9256]

All these influencers do not care about people, all they care about is the money that they will get from anything they promote, if they really care about people they will be very careful not to advertise things that may cause harm to the people.
Influencers has advertised drugs that has killed people, they have advertised cryptocurrencies that they know is a scam, they do all this because of the money.

But the influencers were just advertising what they were paid to advertise, I believe every work have his own responsibilities which their work was to make the casino popular, i don't know if the constitution of Greek allow such things as influencing but if it is allowed, then I believe they did wrong by sentencing those influencers and might have even stepped on their rights. Even is it happened that they broke the law, their punishment shouldn't have been severe as death by hanging, but a punishment like sentencing them to some years imprisonment.

Let's take for example a lawyer that stands for a murderer in a murder case, will such lawyer been have said did the wrong thing? It's his work and so he did what he had to do and might even win the case, if such cases of a lawyer can't be sentenced and punished then this also shouldn't be an exception.

Don’t be surprised that those influencers that we are advertising this casinos or gambling platforms already know that they are not licensed in the country. They just want to make a quick money.
I love what the government did to those influencers they deserve it.

On my end I believe the government did wrong by sentencing those influencers, they should have rather sentence the casino owners that brought it to their country, unless if it's were publicly announced or written in the constitution that such things were not allowed. And even at that, punishing influencers with a death sentence just because of influencing an illegal product is too harsh and severe for such offences, they should have find a less severe punishment instead.

[bakasabo]

But the influencers were just advertising what they were paid to advertise, I believe every work have his own responsibilities which their work was to make the casino popular, i don't know if the constitution of Greek allow such things as influencing but if it is allowed, then I believe they did wrong by sentencing those influencers and might have even stepped on their rights.

Those influencers should first check what they are advertising. The can not blindly advertise everything if they are paid. I dont know how exactly laws works with such cases in Greece, but these advertisers can get a role of accomplice in case of illegal gambling. A very simple example - would you put unlicensed casino into your signature? You would be the same advertiser-influencer in that example. Even on this forum, promoting something illegal is punished, then why should not influencers who promote unlicensed casinos should not be punished?

[Johnlomape]

This serves them right, at least others will learn from it, those influencers have seen how their government were trying its best to eradicate illegal gambling, they should have been warned with that but they didn't stop promoting those illegal casino because they were more concern with the fees they earn from them. Previously there was a first case where the Greek police announced four individuals that they said were caught promoting unlicensed gambling websites and I believe that those 18 influencers that has been caught this time already saw that first case but they didn't stop there, they felt they were invincible.

I don't think this is about illegal gambling but about influencers luring people to use unlicensed gambling platforms which should not have been used by anyone or by referring players to use those platforms. I never knew that the greek law is as strict as this to the extent of prosecuting their citizens for wrong doings. What I know is that those that are caught are the ones that will be prosecuted while others could still be under hiding and the government maybe tracking them to get them prosecuted.

[Perfectbaby]

This situation in Greece is absolutely mind boggling. I’m not sure if it’s entirely right for government’s regulatory body EEEP to file criminal complaint against those 18 influencer and streamer. But 900000 people that’s almost 10% of country's population involved in illegal game! This is no small matter. It’s on massive scale. And often, it is these social media promoter who lead  general public astray.

I think best way to handle this is for their Government to reduce their charges in acquiring their operational license fee, with this those betting companies who were unable to purchase their license could be able to have it so easily then they starts operating legally. It is true those company operates illegally because they don't have what it takes to acquire the license, but when it is reduced or slashed down it will help them, again for those influencers that they are being hired to run a promotion social media wouldn't be track anymore for their promotion since the gambling site are operating legally.

[moneystery]

That's their risk because they promoted casinos that operate illegally in their country. But compared to what those influencers did, the Greek government should really focus on those illegal casinos and get more people to play in their legal casinos.
They just can't keep going after the influencers when there are 900 thousand of their people playing in illegal casinos. If they are unable to crack down on those illegal casinos, then the number of people promoting them will simply change every day, and it will never end. They will only waste their energy arresting these people, while the owners of the illegal casinos continue to sleep peacefully in their homes.

[KiaKia]

They must be responsible for luring people to those illegal casinos, most of these influencers have no dignity, they are always desperate to do anything they can for money, they don't care if they hurt others in the process.

Influencers from my country have caused alot of damages than those who aren't influencers, they .promote fake items and products, they promoted fake investment companies that resulted in millions of losses.

Since online casinos are always ready to pay alot of money for people who can drive large amount of traffic to their platforms, influencers would go all length so I want to believe that they got what they deserved.

[bangjoe]

I stopped trusting anything that is been advertised by an influencer on social media for a very long time because I know they really don’t investigate on what they are advertising.
Normally, before an influencer, will advertise something they should have done some investigation to know how legit and true what they are advertising is, these days this influencers don’t do any investigation on anything they want to promote.

However, this illegal casinos may actually not be scam casinos but for the fact they are not licensed by the government they are illegal and not advisable to even use.

This incident is very bad and makes a lot of misconceptions about gambling, where all influencers will offer benefits to their followers and that is the most vile way of marketing in my opinion, let alone enter the room of ordinary people who do not know gambling, without giving the correct gambling principles people will think that gambling is just to make money easily, the habit of advertising gambling in this way will cause many people to have the wrong purpose in gambling.
With the right regulations and the infleuncer given the right advertising procedures as one of the verification requirements so that consumers understand how gambling is both from the benefits and from the risks they will receive, this can be a good step.
Of the OP more or less 10% goes into illegal gambling it is very detrimental and so many influencers make advertising without rules, basically yes it does not mean fraud, it's just that the risk becomes greater if there is no license.

[Taskford]

I stopped trusting anything that is been advertised by an influencer on social media for a very long time because I know they really don’t investigate on what they are advertising.
Normally, before an influencer, will advertise something they should have done some investigation to know how legit and true what they are advertising is, these days this influencers don’t do any investigation on anything they want to promote.

However, this illegal casinos may actually not be scam casinos but for the fact they are not licensed by the government they are illegal and not advisable to even use.

This incident is very bad and makes a lot of misconceptions about gambling, where all influencers will offer benefits to their followers and that is the most vile way of marketing in my opinion, let alone enter the room of ordinary people who do not know gambling, without giving the correct gambling principles people will think that gambling is just to make money easily, the habit of advertising gambling in this way will cause many people to have the wrong purpose in gambling.
With the right regulations and the infleuncer given the right advertising procedures as one of the verification requirements so that consumers understand how gambling is both from the benefits and from the risks they will receive, this can be a good step.
Of the OP more or less 10% goes into illegal gambling it is very detrimental and so many influencers make advertising without rules, basically yes it does not mean fraud, it's just that the risk becomes greater if there is no license.

Gambling is not always bad activity, there are people legitimately enjoying playing with their platform.

What's actually wrong is those influencers change the perspective of people towards gambling. Usually they hype people about fake passive income and easy richest, this is common reason why many people experience hardship and worse they fall from addiction.

Good to see Greek Government take initiative to penalize those influencers. Since this will remind other influencers about being so careful for accepting gambling promotions or partnerships.

[Sim_card]

Influencers should have their own criteria for a brand to meet up with before promoting the company's brand because there are a lot of illegal businesses out there that can put any influencer behind bars if he's caught up by the law. Influencers shouldn't say because they're looking for money and not do it in a wise way because they will face the consequences of their actions all alone while, the casino owner will bail himself out by paying a fine. I don't like anything illegal.

[xenomorfo]

Influencers and the way they promote things without verifying. Some even go ahead to show fake withdrawals just to sway their fans. That's evil. The government did the right thing to persecute them. If this wasn't done, the influencers will carry out more of it and even go as far as promoting something that can harm the nation.
I love as the government is very involved in this. It could be those so called casinos might even be doing very illegal things like scams. Then they use the influencers to promote such things. This serves as a reminder to others to first verify what they want to promote. Money shouldn't be your first priority. Your fans should be your first. Serving them things that won't harm them.

They don't verify because they are simply paid to speak nonsense, gentlemen, this is the true reality of the facts.
That bastard Netanyau pays you to say that there are no deaths in Gaza, what do you check? No you say everything is fine.
I'm not making this up, it was the influencers themselves who complained, months later because they weren't paid!

[YOSHIE]

Greek gov prosecuted 18 influencers for unlicensed gambling promotion

When the Greek government files lawsuits against influencers, of course we will return to the basics of regulation of online casinos operating in Greece, in my opinion 18 influencers are wrong, it is clear that they are promoting illegal casinos, They should advertise online casinos that are legal and registered with the Hellenic Gambling Commission (HGC), so that they are safe in advertising without being prosecuted, if influencers target illegal casinos so that their fees are high, of course they have to face state law.

In fact, online casinos in Greece have licensed gambling operators and they comply with GGR taxation regulations, including the tax imposed on sports betting, I think if these 18 influencers were promoting legal or licensed online gambling platforms, of course they wouldn't be facing lawsuits like the one they are currently facing, but in the field the story is different, perhaps the payout for influencers from illegal online casinos is greater than promoting legal casinos.

[bangjoe]

This incident is very bad and makes a lot of misconceptions about gambling, where all influencers will offer benefits to their followers and that is the most vile way of marketing in my opinion, let alone enter the room of ordinary people who do not know gambling, without giving the correct gambling principles people will think that gambling is just to make money easily, the habit of advertising gambling in this way will cause many people to have the wrong purpose in gambling.
With the right regulations and the infleuncer given the right advertising procedures as one of the verification requirements so that consumers understand how gambling is both from the benefits and from the risks they will receive, this can be a good step.
Of the OP more or less 10% goes into illegal gambling it is very detrimental and so many influencers make advertising without rules, basically yes it does not mean fraud, it's just that the risk becomes greater if there is no license.

Gambling is not always bad activity, there are people legitimately enjoying playing with their platform.

What's actually wrong is those influencers change the perspective of people towards gambling. Usually they hype people about fake passive income and easy richest, this is common reason why many people experience hardship and worse they fall from addiction.

Good to see Greek Government take initiative to penalize those influencers. Since this will remind other influencers about being so careful for accepting gambling promotions or partnerships.

Well that's what I mean a problem of gambling advertisers whether it's from influencers who are hired or from the casino itself that continues to make pseudo profits, some of which are indeed showing False Profits and that I really hate, even they don't care about their audience, influencers only care about the money that can be obtained from the number of people who enter through their referrals or from the fixed price that has been determined by the casino owner.

My country has experienced this, where influencers advertise online gambling, even though gambling is prohibited, but because regulations have not yet come out for online gambling and harsh rules against advertising, these influencers show false benefits from gambling, even though it is only a setting.

[Alex077]

...
These casinos change their domains every day or so to avoid blocks playing cat and mouse games with the government. Perhaps the owners of these casinos were registering the legal entities abroad and maybe even they themselves were abroad. As per the soft2bet scandal many of Europe's illegal casinos had their true beneficiary behind them in Israel!
...

Yeah, you can block websites, fine the people behind them, and tighten regulations, but if these casinos keep changing their domains and their owners are registered in other jurisdictions, such measures are going to have pretty limited results.

At the same time, I think the Greek authorities are right to focus on influencers.  Especially when followers trust their recommendations and don't even realize that the platform is operating without a local license.
So, in my opinion, blocking websites and punishing influencers alone won't solve the problem. Otherwise, the government will just keep blocking new domains, while players will continue moving to other sites. And it's the players using unlicensed casinos who face the biggest risks, because if a casino refuses to pay out their winnings, they have practically no effective way to protect themselves.