Greek officials are being urged to take stronger action to protect teenagers from gambling as concerns grow over how easily young people can encounter betting platforms online.
A recommendation from the Hellenic National Bioethics and Technoethics Commission warns that the rapid growth of digital gambling apps is making betting more visible to minors, even though Greek law already bans underage participation.
In the Commission’s view, the issue is no longer just about illegal gambling sites. The wider environment around the gambling industry—from advertising to payment systems—can still expose teenagers to betting products long before they are legally allowed to use them.
Gambling apps becoming part of everyday digital life
Over the last few years, betting in Greece has increasingly moved onto mobile phones. Sports wagers, casino-style games, and promotional offers are now available through apps that users can access almost instantly.
For adults, that convenience is part of the industry’s appeal. But regulators worry that the same accessibility also makes gambling more visible to teenagers who spend much of their time online.
Even if minors never attempt to place a bet, they are still likely to come across gambling promotions while browsing social media, watching sports broadcasts, or listening to radio programs. According to the Commission, that constant exposure risks making gambling feel normal or harmless at a young age.
Calls for stricter advertising rules
One of the main concerns highlighted in the recommendation is gambling advertising on television and radio.
Betting companies frequently promote their services during sports coverage—often the same events that attract younger viewers. The Commission argues that regulators should consider stricter limits on when these advertisements are broadcast, particularly during time slots when teenagers may be watching.
Responsibility for setting such rules would fall to the government’s communications authorities, while enforcement would likely involve the National Council for Radio and Television, which oversees media standards in the country.
At the same time, the report suggests the gambling industry should take part in tightening its own advertising practices. The Hellenic Gaming Commission could work with operators to strengthen the sector’s advertising code as part of broader self-regulation.
Education seen as part of the solution
Beyond advertising controls, the Commission believes prevention should also begin in schools.
It recommends that the Ministry of Education (Greece) introduce awareness programs designed to explain the risks of gambling addiction to teenagers. These efforts could be coordinated with the National Organization for the Prevention and Treatment of Addictions, which already works on addiction prevention campaigns.
The idea is to help young people understand how gambling platforms operate and why they can become addictive before they ever reach the legal betting age.
Digital identity tools could strengthen age checks
Another proposal focuses on the technology used to verify users on gambling platforms.
The Commission suggests linking betting accounts to Greece’s digital identity system, known as Gov Wallet. Because the system stores verified identity information, it could help prevent minors from bypassing existing age checks.
Such a change would require coordination between the Ministry of Digital Governance (Greece) and the Hellenic Gaming Commission.
Prepaid cards may also face restrictions
The report also highlights prepaid debit cards as a possible loophole in the current system.
These cards are widely used by younger consumers and can sometimes be used online without strict identity checks. Regulators worry that this could allow minors to fund gambling accounts indirectly.
To address the issue, the Commission recommends that the Ministry of Finance (Greece) examine whether limits should be placed on using prepaid cards for gambling transactions.
A broader challenge for regulators
The recommendations reflect a wider debate about how gambling regulation should adapt to a digital market.
For years, enforcement efforts have focused primarily on illegal betting operators. But the Commission’s report suggests that even within a regulated market, young people can still encounter gambling products through advertising, apps, and online media.
As betting continues to move further into the digital world, regulators may face increasing pressure to rethink how minors are protected from exposure to the industry.
Source: protothema.gr