Greece has initiated a criminal lawsuit against 18 social media influencers who have been accused of promoting illegal gambling activities. This announcement came from Kyriakos Pierrakakis, the Minister of National Economy and Finance, during a briefing related to the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) on October 6. The cases are currently in the preliminary investigation phase.
These influencers collectively boast a following of 3.6 million and are implicated in promoting 11 different illegal gambling websites operated by eight providers. Minister Pierrakakis stressed the significance of accountability in the digital space, stating, "The message in every direction must be the same: the internet is not a jungle. Popularity offers no 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 face the consequences provided for by law."
To combat this issue, the EEEP is employing advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to trace and identify illegal gambling networks. These new tools enable law enforcement to discover unlawful websites and the channels promoting them effectively. In collaboration with the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) and internet service providers, these illicit sites can be blocked swiftly, enhancing regulatory actions.
