Greece’s national bioethics advisory body has urged authorities to adopt stronger safeguards aimed at reducing gambling exposure among minors. The Hellenic National Bioethics and Technoethics Commission released a recommendation outlining measures designed to address rising concerns about youth engagement with digital betting platforms.

Advertising Exposure and Media Restrictions

The commission highlighted the rapid growth of online betting and gambling applications as a major factor contributing to increased familiarity with gambling among teenagers. Although Greek law already prohibits minors from using gambling services, the advisory body warned that digital platforms and widespread marketing are making these activities more visible and accessible to younger audiences.

Officials are calling for coordinated action across multiple government sectors, including communications regulators, financial authorities, education institutions, and digital governance bodies. Their proposals include stricter advertising standards, enhanced identity verification systems, and limitations on payment methods that minors commonly use.

One of the central proposals focuses on limiting the visibility of gambling advertising in media channels frequently accessed by younger viewers and listeners. The commission recommends that legislation regulate the broadcasting of betting advertisements on radio and television during peak viewing and listening periods.

These restrictions would apply even to licensed gambling operators. According to the advisory body, limiting advertising during time slots when teenagers may form part of the audience is necessary for public health reasons and could help reduce the risk of developing gambling-related addiction.

Responsibility for setting these broadcast rules would fall to the General Secretariat for Communication and Media, while the National Council for Radio and Television would oversee enforcement.

In addition to statutory measures, the commission also encourages the gambling industry to adopt a self-regulatory framework through the Advertising and Communication Code. The Hellenic Gaming Commission would coordinate this initiative together with operators in the sector.

Online advertising would also face additional oversight. The commission recommends introducing specific conditions governing both the frequency and the content of digital marketing campaigns related to betting applications.

Identity Checks and Payment Controls

Beyond marketing restrictions, the advisory body also proposed stronger user authentication procedures aimed at preventing minors from creating or accessing gambling accounts.

According to ProtoThema, the commission suggests using Greece’s Gov Wallet infrastructure as part of the identity verification process. This system securely stores citizens’ identification data and could provide a reliable method of verifying users before they gain access to betting platforms.

Officials believe that integrating gambling platforms with this national digital identification framework would prevent minors from bypassing existing checks.

Another proposed safeguard involves restricting payment methods frequently used by younger users. Authorities are encouraged to examine limits on anonymous prepaid debit cards, which are often used for online transactions.

The Ministry of Digital Governance and the Hellenic Gaming Commission are expected to play a role in implementing the digital verification measures. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance would examine regulatory changes related to payment systems.

The commission also recommends preventative initiatives targeting schools. Greece’s Ministry of Education is encouraged to launch awareness campaigns aimed at informing teenagers about the risks associated with gambling addiction.

These programs would complement cooperation already planned between the Hellenic Gaming Commission and the National Organization for the Prevention and Treatment of Addictions.

Officials view early education and prevention as a key part of the strategy, particularly as digital gambling platforms continue to expand across Europe.

At the same time, Greece is strengthening its stance against illegal gambling markets. Proposed legislation includes tougher penalties for unlicensed operators, covering both online and land-based activities.

Authorities are also developing broader policies that combine multiple layers of prevention. These include parental monitoring tools, stricter marketing oversight, stronger user verification systems, and payment restrictions aimed at limiting youth access.

The advisory body emphasized that addressing adolescent gambling requires coordinated action across regulatory, technological, and educational domains. Its recommendation calls for measures that reduce exposure to gambling services while ensuring that legal operators follow stricter standards designed to protect minors.