The European online gambling market is one of the most lucrative and dynamic in the world, attracting millions of players and hundreds of licensed operators. However, unlike other industries that follow uniform regulations across the European Union (EU), gambling laws differ significantly from one country to another. Each nation has the autonomy to establish its own rules, licensing procedures, and player protection measures, making the regulatory landscape both diverse and complex.

Alt text: Man playing with poker chips and cards.

For players and operators alike, understanding these legal frameworks is essential to ensuring compliance and a safe gaming experience. Whether you’re a casual player looking for licensed platforms or an investor exploring the market, knowing the ins and outs of European gambling laws is key. That’s why many prefer to play at EU casinos that adhere to strict national and international regulations, ensuring fair play and security.

The European Union’s Stance on Online Gambling

The European Union (EU) does not impose a standardized regulatory system for online gambling across its member states. Instead, each country retains the autonomy to craft and enforce its own laws governing gambling activities. This approach acknowledges the principle of subsidiarity, allowing nations to regulate gambling in a manner that aligns with their societal values and public policy objectives. Consequently, the legal status and regulatory requirements for online gambling vary significantly across the EU.

Country-Specific Regulatory Frameworks

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom maintains a comprehensive regulatory framework for online gambling, primarily governed by the Gambling Act 2005 and overseen by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). In April 2023, the government published a white paper titled “High Stakes: Gambling Reform for the Digital Age,” outlining significant reforms to modernize gambling regulations. One key proposal is the introduction of a statutory levy on all licensed gambling operators, set to commence in April 2025. This levy aims to fund research, prevention, and treatment of gambling-related harms, with rates varying depending on the sector and nature of the gambling activity.

Germany

Germany’s online gambling landscape has undergone significant changes with the enactment of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (ISTG) 2021. This treaty permits the federal licensing of sports betting, virtual slot machines, and online poker. Notably, online slot stakes are capped at €1 per spin to promote responsible gambling. The regulation of traditional online casino games, such as roulette and blackjack, is delegated to individual states, resulting in varied rules and licensing requirements across the country. The Joint Gambling Authority (GGL) serves as the central regulatory body, ensuring compliance and overseeing licensed operators.

France

In France, the online gambling market is regulated by the National Gaming Authority (Autorité Nationale des Jeux – ANJ), established under the French Gambling Act 2010. The legislation permits online betting on sports, horse racing, and poker, while online casino games like slots and roulette remain prohibited. Operators must secure a license from the ANJ and comply with strict regulations to protect consumers and uphold gaming integrity.

Spain

Spain’s online gambling activities are governed by the Spanish Gambling Act, with oversight provided by the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego – DGOJ). The act legalizes various forms of online gambling, including sports betting, poker, and casino games. Licensed operators are required to implement measures promoting responsible gambling and ensuring the protection of vulnerable individuals.

Italy

Italy has embraced a regulated online gambling market, with the Autonomous Administration of the State Monopolies (AAMS) responsible for licensing and supervision. The regulatory framework permits a broad spectrum of online gambling activities, including poker, casino games, and sports betting. Operators must adhere to the provisions of the Finance Act, which has been amended over time to accommodate the evolving gambling landscape.

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Netherlands

The Netherlands introduced the Remote Gambling Act to regulate online gambling, with the Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit – KSA) serving as the regulatory body. The act allows operators to obtain licenses to offer online sports betting, casino games, and poker to Dutch residents. The KSA enforces strict guidelines to ensure player protection, game fairness, and the prevention of gambling addiction.

Malta

Malta stands out as a hub for online gambling operators, largely due to its comprehensive regulatory framework and favorable business environment. The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), established under the Gaming Act 2018, licenses and regulates a wide array of online gambling activities. The MGA has taken decisive actions, including revoking licenses of non-compliant operators to uphold the integrity of the gaming industry.

Ireland

Ireland’s approach to online gambling regulation has been evolving, with the passage of the Gambling Regulation Act in October 2024 marking a significant milestone. This legislation led to the creation of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), tasked with overseeing both online and land-based gambling activities. The GRAI aims to establish a robust regulatory environment that safeguards players and ensures fair play across all gambling platforms.

Common Regulatory Themes Across Europe

Despite the diversity in regulatory approaches, several common themes emerge across European countries:

• Licensing Requirements: Operators are generally required to obtain a license from the relevant national authority to offer gambling services legally. This process involves rigorous vetting to ensure the operator’s suitability and commitment to maintaining industry standards.
• Player Protection Measures: Regulations often mandate the implementation of measures to protect players from gambling-related harm. This includes self-exclusion options, deposit limits, and access to support services for problem gambling.
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance: Operators must adhere to strict AML protocols to prevent the misuse of gambling platforms for illicit financial activities. This involves customer verification processes and the monitoring of transactions for suspicious activity.
• Advertising and Promotion Controls: Many jurisdictions impose restrictions on the advertising of gambling services to prevent targeting vulnerable populations and to promote responsible marketing practices.

The Role of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA)

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) advocates for a well-regulated and competitive online gambling market in the EU. Representing top operators, it works with national and EU authorities to align regulations and encourage industry best practices. The EGBA prioritizes consumer protection, responsible gambling, and maintaining integrity in gaming operations.

The Future of Online Gambling Regulation in Europe

The European online gambling industry is constantly evolving, with regulatory changes being introduced regularly. Some trends shaping the future include:

Tighter Responsible Gambling Controls: More countries are adopting affordability checks and restrictions on VIP programs.
Cross-Border Licensing Discussions: The EU may push for more harmonization of gambling laws, though this remains a challenge.
New Technologies: AI, blockchain, and cryptocurrency gambling may introduce new regulatory challenges in the coming years.

As European gambling laws continue to shift, both players and operators need to stay informed. Playing at licensed platforms and understanding national regulations is the best way to ensure a safe and fair gaming experience.

Katya Machuganova, Gaming Product and Partnership Manager at Silverback Gaming, lifts the lid on the studio’s first crash title and explains why it will hit the market as a social game before being rolled out in the real money format

Silverback’s first crash game is set to hit the market shortly. What more can you tell us about the game ahead of its launch?

We are super excited to launch our first crash game, but the details are a closely guarded secret for now. What I can say is that the design concept is in place, the gameplay has been set, and we are now working on the creative assets. Then it’s just a case of bringing all the elements together. But this being Silverback, it’s not going to be a standard crash game – we are adding plenty of unique twists to take the anticipation and thrills to the next level. We are on track to send the game to Gaming Laboratories International for testing toward the end of March with go-live scheduled for April. The initial roll-out will be in the simulated gaming format with real money to follow.

How will you ensure your crash game stands out in what is an increasingly competitive market?

Players love crash games because of the control they have over the outcome of the game round. They get to choose when to cash out, with experienced players often having their own strategies for deciding the optimal moment to hit the button. It’s this active participation that really gets pulses racing so with our crash game, we are going to be giving players even more control. Crash games generally appeal to players looking to take big risks in return for big rewards, so players will also be able to toggle the risk level to match their preferences. This degree of personalisation and control is simply not offered by the current crash games in the market.

Why did you decide to launch your crash game in the social/simulated gaming format before real-money?

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Demand for our simulated gaming content is at an all-time high with many of our partners looking to tap into the huge opportunity the market presents – last year, social gaming was estimated to be worth $12.77bn and is set to hit £23.05bn by 2032. As a provider of both simulated gaming and real money content, it’s our responsibility to provide our partners with the content they need, when they need it. Crash is also perfectly suited to the simulated gaming format – because players can’t win real money, they like to place big bets (with virtual currency) so they can experience the thrill of big wins. This is exactly what crash provides. Of course, we’ll be releasing our crash game in real-money shortly after its debut as a social title.

Has the game been developed for players in a specific market or are you going global with it?

Silverback Gaming is mostly focused on the North American market, although our games are certified in jurisdictions like Malta and Italy. Given our exposure to the US and Canada, we ensure that our games meet player preferences in these markets although they still hit the mark with players in the other jurisdictions where they are offered. The crash format is super initiative and easy to understand, which means crash games can be deployed in most markets, from North America to Europe, Asia and Africa, and very quickly rise to the top of the charts.

Do studios need to have a crash game in their portfolio?

We think so. Studios need to provide the content operators – and their players – are seeking and we are increasingly seeing this demand shift towards non-traditional content. At Silverback, we want to provide our partners with a broad range of content across different formats, and that’s why our portfolio covers slots, table games and now crash, and in both social and real-money formats. Pushing into new formats is also great fun for our designers, sound engineers and developers, and we give them the freedom and flexibility to push the boundaries as that’s how we can ultimately bring new and exciting experiences to players.

What makes crash such an interesting space for studios to move into?

Because the format is relatively new there is huge scope for studios to really play around with it. From themes to mechanics and even elements like control and risk, we are only just scratching the surface of the crash format. If you were to compare crash to slots, we are in the classic phase right now with the video slots phase still to come. This is why we will see an innovation race play out in the crash vertical, with studios looking to be the first to bring something new to the table that then sets the standard for others to follow.

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How can operators get the most out of crash games?

It’s still very early days for the crash format so operators do need to educate players as to how these games work and why they are such fun to play. Thought needs to be given to lobby positioning, too. To encourage players to try to crash for the first time, offering a free bets offer works well or letting them play a social version if the game is available in this format. This is part of the reason why we have developed and launched our first crash title in the simulated gaming format.

Tom Walton, Director at Burendo, shares how the technology consultants are helping European operators squeeze more value from their existing technology by taking inspiration from US market leaders.

Established European markets have long been at the forefront of betting technology and regulation, yet leading operators across the Atlantic are increasingly pushing the envelope on user experience, product development and market agility. Major sportsbooks such as DraftKings and FanDuel have the deep pockets to build flexible proprietary technology, outpacing smaller rivals, while many European operators continue to rely on cookie cutter legacy technology that struggles to resonate with customers.

Setting the pace in the US

The rapid success of market leaders like DraftKings and FanDuel has not only redefined the US sports betting landscape but highlighted key lessons in user acquisition and innovation. One of the major differentiators between the US giants and smaller European operators is their ability to invest in and build their own technology tailored to the demands of modern sports bettors.

FanDuel’s SGP+ feature offers a new layer to the betting experience by combining multiple bets from the same game with more bets from other games in one parlay. At the end of 2024, ESPN Bet announced an account linking feature that allows bettors to seamless switch to watching live sports, in turn helping the operator to better curate custom bets as the technology tracks their viewing preferences. In the same vein, DraftKings’ Sportsbook+ subscription service, launched in January 2025, allows subscribers to access better odds on parlays for $20 per month, and is the first of its kind. While same-game parlays and streaming also enjoy significant success in Europe, the Americans are leading the way with heavy promotions, marketing, and specialised technology designed to disrupt the market. The advantages are clear – bigger US operators with more financial power can offer customers a seamless, mobile-first experience that is tailored to their needs. They have the flexibility to take bigger risks and innovate rapidly, without being tied to technical limitations of outdated infrastructure. While their wall-to-wall advertising and marketing budgets are ahead of the game, their technology is equally as important to their success.

In Europe, operators may strive to build their own platforms but come up against a series of hurdles. Financially, it is a major undertaking and without the technical expertise, could lead to missteps. This is where Burendo can step in. Our consultancy team partners with operators to identify key opportunities for leveraging existing technology, helping them to innovate and scale in a cost effective and risk-mitigated manner.

We understand that near-identical user interfaces that offer similar player journeys to competitors cannot drive meaningful growth. For many operators in the UK and other regulated European markets, it can seem daunting to introduce entire new systems. However, transforming legacy platforms is not as overwhelming as it may appear. By streamlining processes and leveraging handpicked solutions and technologies, Burendo enables its clients to squeeze more value from their existing platforms and craft compelling experiences. We empower them with the skills to continuously improve long after our engagement, ensuring their systems remain adaptable in an ever-evolving market.

Innovation without breaking the bank

Technological improvements do not require a large budget. Operators can uncover real value by working with our expert teams, who leverage more than 40 years of combined experience in highly regulated markets, to deliver cost-effective, impactful solutions that prioritise long-term success over short-term fixes. Whether optimising an existing platform or introducing new features and capabilities, the goal is always to deliver measurable improvements that are built for the future.

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Through our tailored approach, operators can innovate affordably, unlocking the power of their existing systems without the need for a complete overhaul. We help European operators bridge the gap between legacy systems and the innovation driving success in America. With our expertise of transforming sportsbooks, we can reinvigorate platforms without complexity or high costs commonly associated with changing provider or building sportsbooks from scratch.