Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, in a written answer on 12 June 2026, acknowledged the Commission's awareness of the promotion of unlicensed online gambling services by content creators on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, and outlined ongoing enforcement actions under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to tackle illegal content and protect minors. The response signals that the Commission is actively monitoring very large online platforms (VLOPs) and preparing further regulatory measures, impacting online platforms, content creators, and young users.
The answer was given to a parliamentary question by MEP Sabine Verheyen (PPE, Germany), submitted on 11 April 2026, which cited a 2024 study finding that 71% of online gambling activity targeting European users occurs on unlicensed websites, and noted that content creators often promote such services via affiliate links, reaching potentially vulnerable young audiences.
Virkkunen's response is largely declarative, reiterating existing DSA obligations rather than announcing new concrete proposals. It references the DSA's notice-and-action mechanism, systemic risk assessments for VLOPs, and the guidelines on the protection of minors, which require clear labelling of commercial content. The Commission also points to the upcoming Digital Fairness Act, which will address unfair influencer marketing, indicating a future legislative step.
On enforcement, Virkkunen cites specific DSA proceedings: preliminary findings against Meta (Facebook and Instagram) for failing to provide a user-friendly notice-and-action mechanism, and formal proceedings against Snapchat over risks related to prohibited or age-restricted products for minors. The Commission is also examining app stores' measures to prevent minors from accessing age-restricted apps, including gambling apps.
No specific timeline or numerical targets were given, but the reference to the Digital Fairness Act suggests legislative action in the medium term. The Commission's ongoing DSA investigations signal continued scrutiny of platform practices regarding illegal content and minor protection.