EGBA: the explosion in scams revealed
•
27 Mar 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
In a recent submission to the European Commission, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has sounded the alarm over the explosion of fraudulent websites and apps imitating legitimate operators.
Organised fraud exploiting players’ trust
According to evidence presented by the EGBA, online casino fraudsters are no longer content to operate on the fringes of the system: they are directly infiltrating the regulated ecosystem by imitating recognised brands.
Their techniques are varied and increasingly sophisticated. Domain names almost identical to those of legitimate operators are registered to trap internet users. In some cases, illegal apps are even distributed via app stores, further blurring the line between what is legal and what is fraudulent.
Phishing, social media: the scammers’ new weapons
Fraud is no longer limited to fake websites. It now extends across the entire digital ecosystem. The EGBA highlights sophisticated phishing campaigns in which fraudsters pose as well-known gaming brands to collect personal data.
Social media also plays a key role in this spread. Misleading adverts redirect users to gambling apps disguised as ordinary mobile games.
These methods are effective because they fit in with users’ digital habits. A click on an advert, a quick download, a sign-up in a matter of seconds… and the scam is already underway.
The speed of dissemination poses another major challenge. Even when fraudulent platforms are detected and removed, they reappear almost immediately in a different form.
Serious consequences for consumers
Behind these practices lie very real risks. Consumers exposed to these fraudulent platforms do not benefit from any of the protections offered by licensed operators.
The primary danger is the theft of personal data. Identity, bank details, sensitive information: everything can be stolen and exploited. Financial losses are common, and sometimes substantial. But the impact does not stop there. These illegal environments offer no player protection mechanisms, such as self-exclusion or betting limits.
A European framework deemed insufficient
In the face of this threat, the EGBA highlights the limitations of national approaches. At present, each European country has its own mechanisms for combating online fraud. This fragmentation, according to the association, directly benefits fraudsters.
Fraudsters exploit loopholes in the system by operating from different jurisdictions, making prosecution more complex. The isolated efforts of Member States are struggling to keep pace with cross-border fraud.
In its contribution to the European Commission’s public consultation, the EGBA emphasises the urgent need for a common strategy. The organisation calls for concrete measures to strengthen consumer protection and support legitimate operators.
Dr Ekaterina Hartmann, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at the EGBA:
“The data we have collected shows how fraudsters systematically exploit the trust that consumers place in the regulated gambling environment, thereby putting European consumers at risk and fuelling the growth of the illegal online gambling market. From fake websites and fraudulent apps to phishing campaigns and social media scams, these threats reappear as quickly as they are taken down. Fragmented national approaches to tackling these types of fraud are not enough: we need coordinated action at EU level to ensure that consumers and legitimate operators are not left to fend for themselves in the fight against fraud.”
Beyond consumer protection, it is the very balance of the online gambling market that is at stake. Licensed operators, subject to strict rules, find themselves competing with illegal operators who are not bound by any constraints. This situation creates a distortion of competition and threatens the viability of the regulated sector. It also raises broader questions about the European Union’s ability to effectively regulate the digital economy.
Fraud in online gambling is no longer a marginal issue. It has now emerged as a major challenge for authorities, operators and consumers. By calling for coordinated action from the European Union, the EGBA stresses the urgent need for a collective response to this threat.