Latest News
Online Gambling Regulations in Europe
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.
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.
The post Online Gambling Regulations in Europe appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
B2B Marketing
Beyond Season’s Greetings: GR8 Tech Unveils Strategic ‘Holiday Calendar’ for Operators
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: Most B2B holiday campaigns are fluff—digital greeting cards that get deleted instantly. GR8 Tech is taking a smarter approach by wrapping high-value strategic advice into a seasonal format. By focusing on 2026 goal-setting (tech upgrades, market wins), they are positioning themselves not just as a platform provider, but as a strategic partner for operators currently in their planning cycles.
The Full Story
GR8 Tech, the award-winning sportsbook and iGaming platform provider, has launched a new initiative designed to turn the holiday season into a period of strategic preparation for operators.
Dubbed the Holiday Calendar, the campaign is an exclusive newsletter experience that moves beyond standard festive greetings to deliver actionable, data-driven insights aimed at helping iGaming champions define and achieve their goals for 2026.
Unwrapping Strategic Insights The initiative runs as a 4-week series, consisting of eight curated email editions. Each edition focuses on a specific “iGaming wish”—ranging from stronger growth and smarter tech to smoother operations.
Instead of leaving these as abstract concepts, GR8 Tech pairs each goal with practical insights from its own data and technology stack, offering a roadmap for how operators can realistically achieve them in the coming year.
Management Commentary Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech, explained that the campaign mirrors the ambitious mindset of their clients:
“Every operator has a vision for the year ahead: targets they want to hit, markets they want to win, experiences they want to deliver. The GR8 Tech Holiday Calendar is our way of celebrating ambitions and showing how the right insights and technology can turn them into reality.”
How It Works Operators can subscribe via the GR8 Tech website to receive the series. Each message “opens a new tile” on the digital calendar, revealing a specific insight designed to be applied to future business strategies.
The campaign effectively showcases GR8 Tech’s broader value proposition—including its Hyper Turnkey solution and ULTIM8 Sportsbook—by demonstrating how these tools solve specific operator challenges. It comes on the heels of a successful year for the provider, which recently secured the title of Platform Provider of the Year at the SBC Awards 2025.
The post Beyond Season’s Greetings: GR8 Tech Unveils Strategic ‘Holiday Calendar’ for Operators appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
AML Compliance
ComeOn Group Fortifies C-Suite: Michela Tabone Valetta Named New CPO
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: In the current iGaming climate, “sustainable growth” isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a survival strategy. By bringing in a seasoned CPO like Michela Tabone Valetta (ex-Bally’s, Gamesys), ComeOn is signaling a focus on organizational maturity. Furthermore, the specific addition of a Country Manager for Ontario (Mark Cheeswright) suggests a deeper entrenchment in North America’s most competitive regulated market, moving beyond general expansion to targeted regional dominance.
The Full Story
ComeOn Group, the leading international iGaming operator, has announced a significant strengthening of its leadership structure, headlined by the appointment of Michela Tabone Valetta to its Executive Team as Chief People Officer (CPO).
The move is part of a broader recruitment drive that has seen the company fill critical senior roles across Compliance, IT Security, Commercial, and Market Management, positioning itself for a new phase of regulated market expansion.
New Chief People Officer Michela Tabone Valetta brings two decades of HR leadership experience, with nearly half of that time spent in the iGaming sector. Her resume includes senior tenures at major industry players such as Vera & John, Gamesys, and Bally’s Corporation. Most recently, she served at BoyleSports, where she supported a workforce of nearly 3,000 employees.
At ComeOn, Valetta will lead the People & Culture function, tasked with refining talent strategy and organizational development as the operator scales its global footprint.
Strategic Senior Appointments alongside the C-level addition, ComeOn Group confirmed four other key strategic hires made earlier this year to bolster its operational foundations:
-
Mark Cheeswright (Country Manager, Ontario): A veteran with over 20 years in iGaming (LeoVegas, William Hill, BetVictor), Cheeswright is tasked with steering the company’s growth in the highly competitive Canadian province.
-
Thomas Mifsud Tommasi (Head of AML): Joining from LeoVegas and BetClic Everest Group, Tommasi brings over a decade of financial crime compliance expertise to the group.
-
Radek Ostojski (Head of Information Security): With a background in cloud architecture and DevOps at Swintt and KingMakers, Ostojski will lead the operator’s cybersecurity initiatives.
-
Rebekka Rogers (Head of Commercial, Casino): Formerly of Evolution, Rogers will drive commercial performance and strategic growth within the company’s core Casino vertical.
CEO Commentary Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer at ComeOn Group, emphasized that these appointments are about building depth for the long term:
“We are delighted to welcome Michela to our Executive Team. Her extensive expertise in people and culture, organizational development, and leadership strategy will be instrumental as we continue to grow and strengthen our operations globally.
“Earlier this year, we also welcomed Radek, Thomas, Mark, and Rebekka into key leadership roles… Their contributions are already reinforcing our strategic foundations, and together with Michela’s arrival, they significantly enhance the depth and capability of our leadership team.”
The post ComeOn Group Fortifies C-Suite: Michela Tabone Valetta Named New CPO appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
243 Crystal Fruits
Tom Horn Gaming Unlocks New Markets with Major Alea Aggregation Deal
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: In the race for distribution, direct integrations are becoming less common for mid-sized studios. Partnering with a “super-aggregator” like Alea—known for its focus on API performance and data security—gives Tom Horn Gaming instant access to hundreds of operator brands without the technical bottleneck of individual integrations. This move signals a push to maximize the yield from their back catalog of 100+ games in both mature and emerging markets simultaneously.
The Full Story
Tom Horn Gaming, the omnichannel software supplier, has significantly widened its distribution capabilities by signing a new partnership with Alea, the award-winning iGaming aggregator.
The agreement sees Tom Horn’s entire portfolio of over 100 titles integrated into Alea’s aggregation ecosystem. This includes the supplier’s best-performing classic slots such as 243 Crystal Fruits and The Secret of Ba, as well as recent releases like Tao Tree Coins.
Technical & Strategic Fit For Tom Horn Gaming, the deal is a strategic lever to penetrate new jurisdictions more efficiently. By plugging into Alea’s centralized API, the studio gains immediate access to Alea’s extensive roster of operator partners. The collaboration focuses heavily on delivering “localized” content—games specifically tailored to regional preferences and regulatory requirements—without the friction of individual technical setups.
Management Commentary Both companies emphasized the role of compliance and technical reliability in the deal.
Ondrej Lapides, CEO of Tom Horn Gaming, commented on the strategic alignment:
“Partnering with Alea allows us to bring our games to even more operators and players in markets where we’ve long been committed to delivering tailored, reliable, and engaging content. Alea’s focus on compliance and seamless delivery perfectly complements our own ambitions for growth in both mature and emerging regions.”
Eduard Verdaguer, Partnerships Manager at Alea, highlighted the supplier’s reputation:
“Tom Horn Gaming has built a strong reputation for creating accessible, market-tailored content that players know and trust.”
This partnership marks the latest in a series of commercial expansions for Tom Horn Gaming in late 2025, reinforcing its status as a staple content provider for regulated markets.
The post Tom Horn Gaming Unlocks New Markets with Major Alea Aggregation Deal appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
-
Latest News4 days agoVegangster Gives Operators Real-Time Jackpot Control and a New Revenue Stream with Sharedluck’s JackpotX
-
Latest News4 days agoRegistration Open: N1 Puzzle Promo Show & Winner Announcement in Barcelona
-
Latest News5 days agoTop 5 Newest High-RTP Slots at Social Casinos This Month
-
David Reynolds Director of Games Strategy & Partner Management at Games Global6 days agoGames Global and Slingshot Studios expand Cashingo™ series with Eruption Blaze Cashingo™
-
Central Europe5 days agoScatterKings adds sugar-coated spin to Austria with bespoke win2day partnership
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoFinland’s Gambling Reform Is Official – What Happens Next?
-
Gamepop6 days agoGAMEPOP: The Culture of Play by Red Bull Media House – the first bookazine devoted entirely to video game culture
-
Latest News4 days agoVegangster Gives Operators Real-Time Jackpot Control and a New Revenue Stream with Sharedluck’s JackpotX



