Compliance Updates
CEOs of Major European iGaming Companies Call for High-quality Regulation to Protect Players and Markets
In a joint letter, the CEOs from EGBA’s member operators—bet365, Betsson, Entain, Evoke, FDJ United, Flutter, LeoVegas and Superbet—showcased their ongoing investments in safer gambling and contributions to European society, while calling for smart, stable and evidence-based regulation that supports the long-term sustainability of regulated gambling in Europe.
The letter is featured in EGBA’s recently published Sustainability Report 2025.
“As CEOs of Europe’s leading gaming and betting companies serving 38 million customer accounts across 21 countries, our principle is simple: safe players are sustainable players. We see every day how effective regulation can deliver safe environments for our players. But the long-term sustainability of our sector depends on a balanced regulatory approach that supports player protection, compliance, and competitiveness. Today, that balance is at risk.
Our responsibility and contribution
We’re pleased to contribute to this year’s EGBA Sustainability Report, which reflects our shared commitment to continue to build a thriving and responsible sector in Europe. As this report shows, our companies are significantly raising industry standards to generate economic and social benefits through responsible operations and promoting safer play.
Encouraging our players to play positively isn’t just the right thing to do, it makes good business sense and reflects our commitment to contribute positively to European society. In 2024, our companies paid €3.8 billion in taxes to help fund public services, sustaining 62,000 jobs, and developing player support tools, now used voluntarily by 34% of players, and sent a record 100 million messages to our players to promote safer play.
Our efforts are backed by dedicated teams working to support our customers every day, with 89% of our employees completing dedicated safer gambling training. We also invested €735 million in the success of European sports last year, from grassroots to professional competitions.
The black market challenge
Yet while we continue to invest significantly in responsible play and compliance, unregulated, untaxed black market operators, based outside Europe, are thriving across the continent. These operators target vulnerable players with unlimited access and significant bonuses, offer no customer protections or support for struggling players, and don’t contribute to public finances or European sports. They operate entirely beyond regulatory oversight, avoiding all costs and obligations, and face few repercussions.
And their appeal only grows when well-intentioned regulation becomes too restrictive. In the Netherlands, new spending caps introduced in 2024 prompted a surge in black market activity. Within just months, unregulated sites were matching the revenue of the country’s regulated market. In the UK, an estimated £2.7 billion is staked annually on black market websites, costing taxpayers £335 million in lost taxes.
The path forward
The answer to this growing problem is not deregulation but smarter, more balanced regulation. We call for coordinated action:
Policymakers should prioritise regulation that is evidence-based and behaviourally informed to channel players toward the safer, regulated environment – not away from it.
Regulators should strengthen enforcement against black market operators based outside Europe who undermine the well-developed safety nets established in Europe.
Industry stakeholders should promote and work only with operators licensed and regulated in Europe.
Our commitment to sustainability
Despite these challenges, Europe is well positioned to lead the world in sustainable gambling. Our companies have shown that commercial success and social responsibility go hand in hand. We’ll continue to invest in messaging, training, research, and innovative tools that improve player protection and raise industry standards.
But we cannot do this alone. We need a stable, long-term vision for regulated markets – one built on evidence, consultation, and collaboration, rather than measures that end up putting players in harm’s way. Otherwise, Europe risks undermining its safe, regulated gambling environment that has been diligently built over many years. The black market isn’t just a business challenge for us – when regulation drives players away from the regulated market, everyone loses, especially vulnerable players.
Europe has a clear choice: either let regulated markets continue to lose ground to unregulated operators who undermine consumer protection and offer nothing positive to our society, or work together to protect players and support responsible operators who invest billions every year in Europe’s future.
We believe in the path of cooperation and are committed to building it further.”
The post CEOs of Major European iGaming Companies Call for High-quality Regulation to Protect Players and Markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The findings of independent research conducted by Censuswide among a sample of 2,000 UK Nationally representative respondents aged 16+ shows that Generation Z has fallen in love with the seaside arcades so popular with their grandparents.
The research reveals that 8 in 10 respondents (81 percent) view seaside arcades as being part of British culture and it is young Brits that are banging the drum for arcades, with 90 percent of 25–34-year-olds backing their importance.
Despite overwhelming public support from Britain’s younger generations, seaside arcades continue to face a perfect storm of challenges from rising energy and staffing costs, plus the threat of increased taxation as suggested by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
72 percent say Government should do more to protect them – with 86 percent of those aged 25-34-years calling for urgent action.
The research findings confirm the central role played by seaside arcades with 72 percent of adults saying they would visit an arcade on a trip to the seaside a figure that rises to 91 percent for 24-34-year-olds.
In terms of providing accessible entertainment 55 percent say that arcades offer great value for money, making them the UK’s most affordable family day out. As a result, 84 percent confirmed they have enjoyed arcades with multiple generations of their family.
The importance of contributions to local economies featured highly in the research paper with 7 in 10 stating that arcades play a key role in regenerating seaside towns, a figure that rises to 85 percent of 18-24-year-olds.
Reflecting on the research findings Joseph Cullis, President of UK trade association, Bacta said: “Britain’s seaside arcades are a vital element of our proud tourism industry, a modern cultural icon, and have been a fun family activity for more than a century.
“It’s brilliant but not surprising to see young people are embracing them with all the enthusiasm of their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents before them.
“At Bacta, we’re fighting to protect our seaside arcades from the threats of rising costs and from those who want to tax them out of existence. We hope that local councillors, MPs and the Treasury will heed the wants and needs of the British people and protect these vital institutions.”
Elliot Ball, who co-owns and runs Clacton Pier with his brother Billy, said other attractions would be at risk if arcades were taxed even more.
“I’m the fifth generation of my family – on both sides – involved in amusement arcades so this is a labour of love” he stated.
“But the threat from the government to raise gambling tax would put at risk a traditional family day out to the seaside. Trips here have been making memories for generations, and it’s great that younger people are finding the same safe, harmless fun on the pier that has been raising a smile and lighting up eyes for years and years.
“We’ve bounced back from the pandemic and the rise of staycations helps, but many of Britain’s most beloved seaside attractions will be put at high risk if gambling taxes rise.”
The post Bacta commissioned research shows huge support for seaside arcades led by Gen Z appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Cyprus National Betting Authority Warns Public About Illegal Online Gambling and Misinformation
The National Betting Authority (NBA) has urged the public to exercise caution and to verify the legitimacy of betting service providers exclusively through the official website: www.nba.gov.cy.
In recent weeks, the NBA has observed a rise in misinformation and the spread of false claims regarding the legality of certain websites offering online gambling services. Of particular concern is the sharp increase in advertisements for illegal online casinos on popular social media platforms. These operators have not obtained a licence to operate within the Republic of Cyprus. Equally troubling is the unauthorised use of images and videos of well-known individuals in such advertisements, without their consent.
The public is reminded that, under Cyprus’ gambling legislation, the operation of online casinos is strictly prohibited. Participation in these illegal activities poses serious risks, including threats to personal and banking data security, as well as potential harm to players’ financial stability and mental well-being.
According to Article 79 of the Betting Law 37(I)/2019:
• Players participating in illegal gambling or online casinos face up to 1 year in prison and/or a fine of up to €50,000.
• Individuals or companies providing illegal gambling services face up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to €300,000.
The NBA urges the public to verify information received through websites, apps, social media posts, or other advertisements before engaging with any gambling services. The official list of licensed online betting providers is available on the NBA’s website.
The post Cyprus National Betting Authority Warns Public About Illegal Online Gambling and Misinformation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
CT Interactive has announced the certification of 20 new games under the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) regulatory framework, marking an important step in its ongoing expansion across regulated European markets. This certification empowers CT Interactive to offer its premium gaming portfolio to licensed operators throughout Malta and beyond.
The newly certified titles include several standout Buy Bonus games such as Doctor Winstein Buy Bonus, Duck of Luck Buy Bonus, Fruits & Sweets Buy Bonus, Hyper Cuber Buy Bonus, Nanook the White Ghost Buy Bonus, 100x Crypto Magic, 100x Fresh and 100x Coffee Hot. These games have demonstrated strong performance internationally and now bring their dynamic bonus features to an even wider audience.
A highlight of the new portfolio is Lucky Clover 10, a refreshed edition of CT Interactive’s most popular slot, Lucky Clover. Featuring vintage-inspired graphics and nostalgic gameplay elements, Lucky Clover 10 delivers a captivating experience that combines classic charm with modern vision.
“Providing new game titles certified under the MGA framework marks a key step in our regional growth strategy. This market demands high-quality, fully compliant content. Our portfolio of Buy Bonus games and refreshed classics like Lucky Clover 10 are ideally suited to meet the local preferences and deliver premium gaming experiences,” said Martin Ivanov, COO of CT Interactive.
This certification reinforces CT Interactive’s position as a trusted provider of regulation-ready gaming content, enabling operators to offer a diverse and engaging portfolio fully aligned with MGA requirements.
The post CT Interactive Expands Presence with MGA-certified Game Portfolio appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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