Greece Introduces Digital Tool to Limit Youth Access to Gambling

Greece Introduces Digital Tool to Limit Youth Access to Gambling

Greek authorities are preparing to extend the functions of a state-backed digital application that restricts minors’ online access. The project, called Kids Wallet, is expected to introduce new features that will prevent children from entering online gambling and tobacco retail websites. Reports suggest the rollout could begin as early as next month, marking the next stage in a broader national conversation about regulating digital behavior among younger users.

The initiative has been in development for several months. Kids Wallet was first introduced in May as a tool that allows parents to supervise their children’s use of devices, set daily limits, and verify identities through Greece’s government services portal. The proposed expansion will add gambling and tobacco sites to the list of restricted categories, while social media access will remain limited for users under 15.

The program differs from platform-based restrictions that depend on account logins. Instead, it operates at the device level, blocking access to restricted websites regardless of whether a user is signed into an account. This approach links a child’s digital identity directly to their device, which is verified using official documentation.

Parents establish control by connecting their tax identification details to the system, creating joint accounts with their children, and setting the boundaries of usage. Once a child turns 15, parental consent is no longer needed, though the device-based filters remain in place until the legal thresholds for gambling and tobacco use are reached.

Currently, the tool is voluntary, although officials have indicated that it may not remain so. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to consider making it mandatory, a move that would represent a significant escalation of the government’s role in managing online activity among young people.

One of the more complex aspects of the policy is the contrast between the existing legal gambling regulations and the proposed settings of the new system. In Greece, the minimum age for gambling is 21, higher than in most European Union states. Yet the current design of Kids Wallet would block access only for those under 18. This leaves an enforcement gap for 18-to-20-year-olds, a group still legally prohibited from gambling but not covered by the new application’s restrictions.

Industry observers suggest that the discrepancy could become a point of discussion among regulators, especially if the tool becomes mandatory. It remains to be seen whether the application will be adapted to align with national law or serve as a complementary safeguard for younger users.

Implementing a system that filters content at the device level presents technical challenges. To address this, Greek authorities have reportedly engaged with major technology companies, including Google, to test functionality and ensure compatibility across platforms.

At the same time, the European Commission is closely monitoring the project. A delegation is expected in Athens to provide and receive technical feedback, aiming to ensure the measure aligns with broader European Union objectives. Under the EU’s Digital Services Act, member states are encouraged to adopt stronger protections for minors, and Greece’s initiative could serve as a reference point for similar programs elsewhere in the bloc.

The introduction of Kids Wallet coincides with heightened attention in Europe on the impact of digital platforms on children. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for the creation of a “digital majority age” for access to social media, arguing that existing rules are insufficient to protect young users. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, she emphasized that many member states are ready to support minimum age requirements at the European level.

In this context, Greece’s application aligns with a growing movement that aims to establish clearer boundaries between childhood, adolescence, and digital autonomy. By positioning itself early in this debate, Greece is signaling its willingness to experiment with tools that may later inform European-wide standards.

The policy also raises questions about where to draw the line between protection and personal autonomy. On one hand, the government is responding to increasing concern about gambling addiction, tobacco use, and the effects of prolonged exposure to social media. On the other hand, the decision to end parental consent at age 15 reflects a recognition that young people gradually need more independence in navigating online spaces.

Critics caution that mandatory controls risk being overly restrictive, particularly if technical implementation creates unintended barriers. Supporters argue that the program provides much-needed tools for parents and regulators at a time when traditional platform-based measures have often proven inadequate.