Greece begins recruitment drive for new enforcement unit

The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) has been granted a budget to initiate a recruitment drive to spreadhead its new Inspection and Enforcement division. The Greek gambling authority will begin recruitment for its 40 positions within it’s the unit that will oversee the new enforcement of Greek laws against illegal gambling. Eligible applicants include permanent public employees and staff employed by qualifying public bodies or private-sector IT organisations. The recruitment drive follows Greece’s adoption in June of a strengthened framework against illegal gambling, led by Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis. Greek treasury on watch The reforms target a black market which, according to figures presented by Pierrakakis on 6 October, accounted for approximately €1.8bn (£1.5bn) in gambling activity during 2025, involving around 900,000 people. Earlier ministry estimates, based on 2024 research, put illegal activity at €1.67bn and associated annual state revenue losses at approximately €500m. The legislation strengthens criminal sanctions, providing for prison sentences of at least 10 years and financial penalties ranging from €50,000 to €700,000 for conducting illegal games of chance. Aggravated offences, including professional or commercial-scale operations, the involvement of minors and the reopening of premises following an enforcement closure, carry financial penalties of €100,000 to €800,000, alongside imprisonment of at least 10 years. Central to implementation is the reinforcement of the EEEP’s Inspection and Enforcement unit will be granted special investigative powers. These broaden the enforcement response beyond website blocking, supporting investigations into the people and networks behind illegal gambling. Pierrakakis has also highlighted the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence to map illegal networks, identify websites and trace promotional channels. The approach combines technical disruption with investigative work capable of supporting criminal proceedings. Early action includes complaints against 18 influencers over the alleged promotion of illegal gambling on social media networks, with those cases undergoing preliminary investigation. Kyriakos Pierrakakis lambasted the social media networks for their failures in stopping illegal gambling content. The Finance Minister is in dialogue with the Ministry of Justice to apply new cross-agency coordination measures to ensure the prosecution of individual and criminal gangs involved in blackmarket gambling.