EGBA Publishes Overview Map Of Europe’s Online Gambling Licensing Regimes

Online gambling is a highly regulated sector. To operate and provide their services in EU countries, EU established gambling operators need to possess many licenses. While in the past, either there was no regulation specifically for online gambling or it was only allowed for state monopolies to provide online gambling services, today the overwhelming majority of EU member states have adopted multi-license regimes which allow several private operators to obtain a license and provide their services in that country.

Only 5 EU member states had competitive multi-license regimes in 2009, whereas the rest had monopolies and prohibitions. In 2019, the situation has dramatically shifted and multi-license regimes have now been adopted in 25 member states (download our new map for more details).

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) is the Brussels-based industry body representing the leading online gaming and betting operators established, licensed and regulated within the EU. EGBA works together with national authorities, EU authorities and other stakeholders towards a well regulated and attractive offer for EU citizens.

EGBA promotes the creation of a safe and reliable European digital environment for online gambling players. A well-functioning digital environment requires regulation that provides a high level of consumer protection and takes into account the reality of the digital economy and consumer demand. It must also ensure that the regulated offer can be attractive enough to appeal to the maximum number of players so as to channel them away from unregulated offers.

More than 20 million EU consumers enjoy the high-quality regulated online gaming and betting services provided by the members of EGBA.  Further, the demand of Europe´s digital consumers for attractive and innovative entertainment services continues to grow year upon year.