Greece Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis has warned influencers that the government will not tolerate a ‘digital jungle’ that promotes illegal gambling.
The warning comes amid media reports that 18 popular online personas, including rappers and models with a combined total of 3.6 million followers, are under investigatioxn for unlicensed gambling promotions.
“The message in every direction must be one: the internet is not a jungle,” the Minister said.
“Popularity does not grant immunity, and influence carries responsibility. Anyone who uses their power and reach to promote illegal gambling must know that they will be identified, scrutinised and will face the consequences provided for by law.”
Greece brings harsher penalties for perpetrators
This year has seen Greece move to designate illegal gambling as a criminal and economic threat through a specific legislative framework – “the first European nation to do so”, according to Pierrakakis.
In June, the government officially enacted Bill 5313/2026, which significantly expanded the oversight duties of the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) and introduced stricter penalties for promoting or facilitating illegal gambling – with Pierrakakis confirming that the law is already being actively implemented.
Of significance, internet service providers, advertisers or any third party involved with illegal gambling in any way will face penalties of between €1,000 and €2m per violation.
Online personas like the ones currently being investigated will be reprimanded with fines of between €5,000 and €50,000 if found guilty of facilitating or promoting illegal gambling.
Pierrakakis added: “I want to be clear on this point. The fact that an illegal activity takes place online does not create any ‘grey zone’.
“The fact that a website may be based outside Greece does not mean there is tolerance. And the fact that promotion takes place through social media does not absolve anyone of responsibility. The rules apply everywhere and to everyone.
“However, repression alone is not enough, because the core of the problem remains social. We need prevention, awareness and cooperation with all the competent bodies to tackle addiction and, above all, we need to protect minors and young people.
“We cannot accept as normal a new generation that encounters gambling ever earlier in its everyday digital life.”
Government figures on the black market in Greece for 2025 alone estimate around €1.8bn in wagers from approximately 900,000 Greek players, and 15,000 websites being blocked.
“We did not pass the law in June in order to consider our work done. We passed it so that it would be enforced and bring real change. And we will be beside you, supporting you every step of the way,” Pierrakakis concluded.
