The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has formally submitted a detailed evidence dossier to the European Commission, calling for urgent intervention against a rising wave of online fraud.
The submission is part of the Commission’s upcoming Action Plan on Fighting Online Fraud initiative and highlights a dangerous trend of illicit websites and mobile applications systematically impersonating licensed operators to deceive European consumers.
Systemic Exploitation of Brand Trust
The EGBA’s evidence includes documented cases where globally recognized brands, such as evoke’s 888 and Flutter Entertainment’s tombola, are being mimicked by sophisticated “mirror” sites. These platforms leverage the reputation of legitimate operators to funnel users toward the illegal market, where no consumer protections or responsible gaming safeguards exist.
Beyond fraudulent URLs, the association has raised the alarm regarding the distribution of illegal gambling apps through mainstream platforms like the App Store and Google Play. One specific portion of the evidence showcased a variety of gaming apps available on the Spanish App Store. While the EGBA noted it is “uncertain” if every pictured app offers real-money wagering, they confirmed that none are licensed by Spain’s DGOJ regulatory body.
The Need for Coordinated EU Intervention
Dr. Ekaterina Hartmann, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at the EGBA, emphasized that the current “whack-a-mole” reality of national enforcement is insufficient:
“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.”
Hartmann concluded that the trans-border nature of these scams requires a unified strategy:
“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.”
The Commission’s action plan, scheduled for full rollout in Q2 2026, aims to bridge these enforcement gaps across multiple digital sectors.
