Global trends in casino regulation in the EU

Global trends in casino regulation in the EU (full text)

1) "Licenses + default self-monitoring"

Almost all EU markets are either already working on the model of national licenses, or they are switching to it, and the "skeleton" of the requirements are: mandatory KYC identification, personal limits, timeouts, self-exclusion and "early intervention" for risks (duty of care). A case in point is the Netherlands: operators are obliged to actively intervene when there are signs of excessive play, and supervision in 2025 was further strengthened through KSA clarifications.

2) Centralized registers and data loops of supervision

• Self-exclusion: nationwide bases (in the Netherlands - CRUKS) "jam" access to all licensed sites for a period of 6 months or more.
• Regulatory data safes: in the Netherlands, operator events (sessions, rates, RG triggers) go to CDB, which increases audit transparency.
• This forms the data-in-real-time industry standard.

3) Advertising: "less noise, more addressability"

• Netherlands: untargeted advertising of online gambling (TV/radio/outdoor, etc.) is already prohibited.
• Belgium: in fact, a ban on mass advertising (royal decree 2023), plus a ban on bonuses from 2020.
• Lithuania: from July 1, 2025, any external (out-of-home) advertising is prohibited; banks block payments "gray." Com.
• The result is an emphasis on CRM, transparent bonus conditions and strict control of affiliates.

4) Age and limits: thresholds are rising

Along with self-exclusion, age and financial restrictions are increasing. In Belgium, from September 2, 2024, the participation threshold is 21 + for the entire market; there is also a deposit limit of €200/week per site (lifting is possible only after checks). This reduces impulsive play but requires a more mature UX.

5) Taxes: multidirectional movements

Netherlands: two-stage tax increase on GGR - 34.2% from January 1, 2025 and 37.8% from January 1, 2026. KSA has already publicly linked the rate rise to risks to sewers and player protection.

Germany: The 5.3% online slot/poker betting turnover model remains - one of the most "heavy" structures in the EU in terms of the effect on the game economy.

Estonia: remains "easy" for online (6% GGR, an increase to 7% is planned for 2026).

The spread of tax models dictates the different unit economy and the level of "generosity" of the product by country.

6) AML: towards pan-European unification

AMLA (the new EU AML/CFT Agency) will be located in Frankfurt; the regulation provides for the start of application from July 2025 and a phased increase in functions. For operators, this means unification of requirements and possible direct supervision of large groups/providers.

7) Digital Acts: AI and Platform Liability

EU AI Act: in force from August 1, 2024, key blocks are introduced in stages until 2026-2027. For gambling, these are rules for risk profiling/detection systems (including requirements for model management and transparency), which are combined with duty of care.

In parallel, EU institutions are preparing applied "codes" and clarifications for industry (part of the guidance is shifted to the end of 2025), and business associations are asking for a "pause" in implementation.

Bottom line: AI for RG can be used, but under the control of risks, auditability and explainability.

8) Structural reforms: from monopolies to licenses

Finland is moving towards market opening: a multi-license model is planned for online casinos/betting in the interval 2026-2027; the current Veikkaus monopoly is preparing to compete on the new rules. Trend - "legalized choice with hard RG."

9) Technical hubs and "total logging"

The model "the regulator sees everything that is important" takes root: Germany monitors limits/sessions through LUGAS, the Netherlands - through CDB; countries require detailed logs and timely offloads of events. This increases the cost of compliance, but strengthens the confidence of payment partners.

10) What it means for operators and players

• Count the economy by country (tax + compliance-OPEX + advertising restrictions).
• Invest in RG-by-design: limits/reality checks/alert and replicable "early intervention" scenarios.
• Prepare the data stack for regulatory telemetry (CRUKS/CDB/LUGAS analogue), audited ML models and explainability procedures (for AI Act).

• The game at licensed operators includes self-exclusion registers, limits and clear payment procedures.
• Pay attention to age and deposit thresholds (Belgium - 21 + and €200/week), as well as warnings and "pause buttons."

Casino regulation in the EU is moving towards a common denominator: strict operator responsibility for player behavior, nationwide registries, tight real-time reporting and restrained advertising. At the same time, the tax card remains motley: from "light" regimes (Estonia) to "heavy" (Netherlands by GGR and Germany by turnover). The next wave is AMLA and the practical implementation of the AI ​ ​ Act, which will finally make the industry think "with data and evidence" - from RG algorithms to payment discipline.