Key Moments:
- Greece confirmed plans to enforce underage bans on gambling, social media, alcohol, and adult content through device-level parental controls.
- The Kids Wallet application will prevent children under 16 from accessing social media and block under-18s from all gambling content.
- Greece became the first EU nation to implement these measures as part of a European Commission pilot program on age verification.
Comprehensive Tech-Based Ban Takes Effect
Greece has officially announced that it will use technology-driven parental controls to restrict digital access for minors, specifically targeting gambling, social media, alcohol, tobacco, and adult content. The government-backed Kids Wallet application enables parents to set age restrictions on their children’s smartphones and tablets, controlling access to specific content categories. This initiative marks Greece as the first country in the European Union to impose such limits at the device level.
Device-Level Enforcement and Broader Implications
The new regulation sets two clear age thresholds: all children younger than 16 will be prohibited from using social media platforms, while those under 18 are barred from engaging with online gambling or other adult-oriented digital content. Responsibility lies with parents, who must enable security protocols on each device and confirm the user’s age before fully activating restrictions.
Unlike traditional methods, which relied on operator-based monitoring and compliance, this approach places the burden directly on digital devices and their users’ guardians. The shift removes sole responsibility from gambling operators and integrates gambling safeguards with broader digital regulations affecting a range of adult products.
EU Pilot Project and Regional Comparisons
Earlier in 2025, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced that France, Spain, Greece, Denmark, and Italy would participate in pilot projects related to digital identity and age verification. Greece’s early adoption of a nationwide device-driven ban aligns closely with this initiative and is likely to act as a reference point for future regulatory decisions across Europe.
Regulatory tightening is occurring elsewhere: Spain’s regulators introduced stricter advertising controls on gambling and sponsorships in 2025, while Italy continues to uphold stringent bans under its Decreto Dignità legislation as part of the EU verification trial.
Impact on the Gambling Industry
The primary result of these measures is an outright ban on all gambling websites and related apps for individuals under 18, including both regulated and unlicensed options. Operators must now consider not only operator-level compliance but also alignment with device-based restrictions, as authorities may expect partnership in monitoring adherence.
| Jurisdiction | Main Regulatory Action | Relevant Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Greece | Device-based ban for under-18s on gambling and adult content | Kids Wallet application |
| Spain | Stricter advertising and sponsorship regulations | N/A |
| Italy | Comprehensive advertising ban under Decreto Dignità | EU digital verification pilot |
Earlier in 2025, the Hellenic Gaming Commission joined with Mindway AI to create a voluntary gambling behavior self-test for players. The new mandate builds on these efforts by placing more preventive action at the start of the consumer journey, focusing on blocking risky engagement before it happens. Within Europe, this model is seen as part of a trend toward using artificial intelligence and direct device controls to enforce responsible gambling standards.
Gambling’s Regulatory Landscape Broadens
By grouping gambling under the same regulatory framework as alcohol, tobacco, and pornography, the Greek government signals a major shift: gambling is no longer a narrowly regulated staple but part of a broader youth protection and public health strategy. This development is expected to complicate industry lobbying, as operators navigate a multi-sector regulatory environment.
In light of today’s digital marketing strategies relying on social media presence, the device-level enforcement system presents fresh challenges for operators, who may need to retool marketing efforts toward first-party data and targeted outreach while limiting exposure to minors.
Outlook for Greece and European Expansion
Greece’s proactive step is poised to influence similar action in other EU markets, especially among those participating in the European Commission pilot scheme. Widespread adoption would intensify the need for integrated compliance solutions from operators, covering everything from registration procedures to real-time age verification on devices.
Going forward, the responsibility for protocol activation rests with parents, but oversight from regulators is likely as authorities seek to measure compliance rates and effectiveness. A shift toward device manufacturers or networks may happen if voluntary uptake proves insufficient.
With Greece blazing the trail, both domestic and pan-European operators must prepare for continued regulatory evolution that links responsible gambling with more holistic digital controls.
- Author
Daniel Williams
