Survey on Participation in Licensed Networks (2025)
Understanding the demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioural characteristics of players is critical for the effective planning and implementation of responsible gambling measures.
To support this objective, the HGC commissioned Pulse RC, a member of the Association of Market Research and Public Opinion Companies (SEDEA), to conduct a nationwide quantitative survey in 2025.
The survey was conducted using a sample of 2,001 adults (18+) across Greece through telephone (CATI/CASI) and online (CAWI) interviews based on a structured questionnaire.
Survey Objectives
The survey sought to:
- Examine the relationship between demographic, socioeconomic characteristics and participation in games of chance.
- Identify player profiles across different products.
- Assess the prevalence of problematic gambling behaviour.
- Analyse the impact of gambling on daily life and quality of life.
- Explore public perceptions regarding gambling-related harm and addiction.
Key Findings
The most common reason cited for not participating in gambling activities is the belief that gambling is a waste of time and/or money, as stated by 73% of non-participants.
51% of participants stated that financial gain is their primary motivation for gambling.
54.5% of Greeks reported participating in at least one gambling activity in 2025.
55% of participants were men and 45% were women.
The highest participation rate (58%) was recorded among individuals aged 18-34.
Participation reaches 87% among individuals reporting a moderate or difficult financial situation.
33%: participate a few times per year / 23%: participate once or twice per month 20%: weekly / 8%: almost daily
57% spend up to €40 per month 39% spend more than €40 per month 6% spend more than €300 per month
79,5%: were classified as non-problem players / 10.4%: were classified as low risk 7,5%: were classified as moderate risk. / 2,6%: were classified as high risk
Lower psychological well-being → higher gambling risk 2% (high psychological satisfaction)/ 13% (low psychological satisfaction)
Problematic gambling behavior: 2% (comfortable financial situation) / 9% (difficult financial situation)
Conclusion
The survey highlights the important role of the licensed gambling network in providing a safe, regulated, and supervised environment for players. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of player behaviour, participation trends, spending patterns, and responsible gambling indicators, enabling the HGC to better fulfil its mission of protecting players and ensuring the proper functioning of the gambling market.
Exploring Illegal Gambling Networks – Survey 2025
As part of its strategy to combat illegal gambling, the HGC conducted a nationwide survey in 2025 to assess the scale of the illegal market, identify the characteristics of participants, and examine the factors that drive engagement with unlicensed providers.
The survey provides valuable insights into the prevalence of illegal gambling, player behaviour, and the challenges faced by regulatory and supervisory authorities. Its findings support the development of targeted enforcement, prevention, and public awareness initiatives.
Survey Objectives
The study aimed to:- Assess public awareness of illegal gambling and its social, economic, and institutional consequences.
- Measure participation in illegal gambling activities and estimate the size of the illegal market.
- Profile participants based on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.
- Explore the motivations and underlying reasons behind participation in unlicensed gambling.
- Estimate the financial scale of illegal gambling activity.
Methodology
The survey was commissioned by the HGC and conducted by Kapa Research, a member of SEDEA, between 29 January and 13 March 2025, in accordance with ESOMAR ethical standards.
Survey Characteristics
- Sample: 7,963 participants throughout Greece.
- Methodology: Face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire.
- Age: 18 years and over.
- Quotas: Participation in at least one game of chance during the previous 12 months where registration was not required.
- Illegal Gambling Subsample: 842 respondents reported participating in illegal gambling activities during 2025.
Key Findings
10.6% of the population reported participating in unlicensed gambling activities at least once during 2025.
48.9% of participants in illegal gambling belonged to younger age groups, up to 44 years of age.
The most commonly cited reasons for participating in illegal gambling were: • Attractive bonuses and returns (32.5%). • Less stringent identification requirements (27.6%).
Average annual expenditure in illegal gambling environments varied significantly by age group: • €3,076 among participants aged 55-64. • €1,223 among participants aged 18-34.
Among participants in unlicensed gambling: • 48.7% reported that they had lost or probably lost money. • 32.4% reported that they had won or probably won money.
The principal risks associated with illegal gambling identified by respondents were: • Loss of money (50.4%). • Lack of transaction security (35.7%).
Conclusion
The findings demonstrate that illegal gambling continues to represent a significant challenge for player protection and market integrity. The survey provides valuable evidence for the HGC’s efforts to combat illegal gambling, strengthen regulatory compliance, protect consumers, and support the development of a safe and sustainable gambling market.