"The market is changing because technology is changing, the ways in which people participate in games of chance are changing. And with them, the way in which we perceive and implement player protection must evolve. This is precisely what the theme of this year's conference reflects," is the message sent by the President of the National Betting Authority (NBA), Panagiotis Trisokkas, in his greeting for the 9th Safer Gaming Conference.
"Player protection cannot be a parallel chapter of regulation. It must be at its core. The most recent data from the National Betting Authority for the second quarter of 2026 reflect a market with significant economic activity and continued momentum. The gross revenues of class A and B recipients amounted to €329.8 million, recording an increase of 11% compared to the corresponding period in 2025. The course of online betting is particularly dynamic, with the gross revenues of class B amounting to €252.3 million, increased by 13%. Betting earnings amounted to a total of €46.9 million, recording an increase of 24%," he said about the economic activity of the sector.
"A well-regulated market is a prerequisite for a sustainable market"
"These numbers are not just economic indicators. They reflect the size and importance of a sector that is now an important part of economic activity and which is evolving rapidly. And precisely for this reason, the development of the market must be accompanied by a corresponding development of regulation, supervision and protection mechanisms. For the National Betting Authority, these goals are not in competition with each other. A well-regulated market is a prerequisite for a sustainable market. And a sustainable market is a market in which player protection is an integral part of its operation. This is the challenge of modern regulation," he pointed out.
"The National Betting Authority now includes 22,660 websites, while in the second quarter of 2026 alone, 245 illegal websites were added. Tackling the illegal market is not just a matter of law enforcement. It is a matter of consumer protection. The player who chooses an illegal platform is outside the framework of protection provided by the licensed market, no matter how he chooses to go to the occupied territories. He does not have the same guarantees, the same self-protection tools and the same safety controls. That is why the fight against the illegal market must be a key priority of a modern regulatory policy and does not concern only the supervisory authorities, and I am 100% sure of this. It requires cooperation between the state, regulatory authorities, technology platform providers, payment providers and other stakeholders," he added.
Social Media, Influencers and Digital Advertising
Panagiotis Trisokkas stated that the way we talk about gambling, the way we promote it and the audience we address, all matter, explaining that social media, influencers, digital advertising and the ability to instantly access content and services create a new environment in which the distinction between entertainment, advertising and promotion is becoming increasingly complex.
"That's why player protection is now also a matter of communication. Protection cannot begin the moment a player displays problematic behavior. It must begin much earlier. This is why the National Betting Authority invests in prevention and research. Our recent research in different age groups, including young people between 18 and 35 years old and people over 60 years old, helps us to better understand the different habits, perceptions and circumstances in which people come into contact with betting and gambling. Because there is no one-size-fits-all solution," he added.
The new regulatory bill
Referring to the new regulatory bill, he described it as "an important opportunity to modernize this framework, to incorporate best practices and to further strengthen player protection, with particular emphasis on minors and vulnerable groups. At the same time, it can give us stronger tools to tackle the illegal market and create a more modern and effective environment for all legal and responsible market participants. We hope for developments soon, since we believe that this plan can contribute decisively to the fight against the illegal market... Artificial intelligence, data and new digital tools can create new possibilities for the early identification of risks, a better understanding of behavior and more effective protection of players. At the same time, however, they also create new questions. How do we use technology responsibly? How do we protect personal data? How do we ensure that innovation serves protection and not just commercial development?"
"Fairly, with rules, with transparency, with innovation and above all with substantial protection of people. This is the content of safe gaming and this is the message of this year's Safe Gaming Week. Play within limits, play safely," Trisokkas added.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
